"Bob Abel was friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and responsive. Masonry Arts did the work in two phases. First, they demolished the front step and prepared the porch floor. They created two new concrete steps attached to the porch, then laid the flagstone. It truly transformed the front porch and made stepping onto the porch safer to climb the stairs. The second phase was when Xavier, his stepson, used his artistic abilities to very closely match the brick and mortar to fix the numerous cracked bricks on two sides of the home. When you look at the bricks, you can't tell there was even repairs. We are very pleased with the results as well as how responsive and timely they completed the work. We would highly recommend them to those needing masonry work done."
"Rodco Masonry did an awesome job on my project! They were extremely professional and fast, at a fair price! My houses exterior looks great! I would highly recommend them for your masonry needs."
"I had a great experience with Risen Foundations Solutions for my foundation repair! From start to finish, the entire team was courteous, professional, and friendly. They showed up right on time for every appointment and took the time to explain the process clearly so I knew exactly what to expect. The crew worked efficiently, kept the area clean, and made sure I was satisfied with the results before wrapping up. It’s refreshing to work with a company that truly values their customers."
"Extremely happy with the work preformed by Cornerstone Masonry. We had 2 projects preformed over the course of about 1 month and Phil and Tim were extremely easy to work with. The quality of the work is A++, these jobs would have been considerably more expensive but they priced very well."
"We are very pleased with the work completed by Oscar Flores and his team. We will use Forever Green 2 Landscaping for our next project. Work accomplished was outstanding!"
"I had some foundation issues, such as a failed tension cable and a tree growing close to my house. Vantage Foundation Repair came out within 24hrs inspected my foundation, addressed my concerns, and provided solutions during the visit. Very impressed. Would highly recommend their services."
"Top notch company! Everyone was so friendly and professional. It's hard to find a business that is this responsive and polite nowadays! Plus they did an excellent job on the repairs. We will be using Babco Foundation Repair for all our concrete projects from now on and recommending them to friends and family. Thanks so much!"
"Very happy with the services received and work done. Very professional, efficient, and excellent quality of work. I would use Ibarreal Construction again for future projects, and recommend them for anyone looking for a contractor."
"Great job from StoneHaven Landscaping! They did a lot of regrading in my backyard and side yard to help with severe water pooling during heavy rainfall and now my yard looks and functions A LOT better!!"
Brick and stone are durable, low-maintenance materials for siding and walls that offer excellent insulation, aesthetic appeal, and can increase property value.
Brick spalling—which refers to the crumbly, flaky, or pitted appearance that can develop over time—is caused by a few different conditions. These include:
Climates with constant freeze-thaw cycles
Use of non-breathable sealants
High-pressure water cleaning
Improper installation
While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can preserve your bricks by cleaning them with soapy water and a good old-fashioned scrubbing. Pressure washers may be satisfying to use, but they can eventually wear away the surface of your bricks. If you don’t have advanced-level DIY skills in masonry, you can hire a reputable masonry contractor in your area for your project.
The cost of masonry work varies widely depending on the type of masonry along with common cost factors like size, complexity, location, and season. Most exterior masonry work done in freezing temperatures tends to cost more because of the preparation and protection involved to keep the masonry from freezing before the mortar cures properly. The average price ranges per project or square foot for different types of masonry include:
Brick wall (fence, garden wall, etc.): $10–$45 per square foot
Natural stone wall: $40–$110 per square foot
Manufactured stone veneer: $20–$40 per square foot
Mortar and thinset both serve the same purpose—tile adhesion—but have different compositions and use-cases. Thinset is heatproof and presents a wide range of possibilities due to the added polymers. Mortar is typically used for bonding stones and brick. Thinset is rarely used outside, while mortar is rarely used inside.
Fireclay is a type of clay but it is a type of clay that, because of its chemical composition, can be fired at a much higher temperature than other clays. This results in a denser and more heat-resistant final material. Because of the high percentage of a mineral called kaolin, fireclay sinks are smoother and more durable than other clay types.
The Live Oak, TX homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Door or window lintel replacement costs $400 on average, but there are ways you can save. On the other hand, complicated work will increase costs considerably.
This guide features information on the costs to repair a brick wall, whether or not you need a brick mason to complete spalling, tuckpointing, or a full restoration.
Need to repoint brick in your home to make your home look fresh and new? Use this guide to repointing brick cost to price out your project before starting.
Discover the wide variety of masonry materials for your next home upgrade project. Our guide covers the different types of materials to choose from and more.
When it comes to masonry versus concrete, it can be easy to confuse the two. Use this guide to learn about the differences in appearance, strength, and more.
