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Looking for local masonry contractors to repair a home’s brickwork, build a fireplace, or install an outdoor pathway yard can be difficult. Masonry professionals tend to get more work requests for industrial and commercial jobs, so a simple search for “masons near me” won’t usually return the best options available. Luckily, some reliable masonry contractors are available for smaller-scale projects and residential work.
To find the right brick installer or hardscaping expert, homeowners will want to learn more about what to look for from a masonry contractor, such as the service area, licensing requirements, and the various masonry services available. Homeowners can use this guide to discover how to find the best masonry contractors to put in a fireplace, repair chimneys, install brick walls, and more.
- BEST OVERALL: The Home Depot
- BEST FOR HARDSCAPING: The Grounds Guys
- BEST FOR CHIMNEYS: Midtown Chimney Sweeps
- BEST AGGREGATOR: Angi
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Masonry Contractors
Before doing a broad internet search for “residential masonry contractors near me,” it’s best for homeowners to consider a few key factors to find a company or independent contractor that meets their needs. These factors include the type of services offered, the service area, the scheduling process, and work guarantees.
Type of Masonry Services Offered
There is a wide range of masonry services that a homeowner may require for their home, but not every masonry contractor has the knowledge and skills to complete every type of masonry project. It’s important for homeowners to know what they need before searching for “masonry companies near me.”
Masonry work falls into two broad categories. The first is veneer or decorative masonry, like installing faux stone finishes. The second category is solid masonry, built to support its weight, like a brick chimney or building.
Masonry services within these two categories can include various jobs, like bricklaying, cement repairs, restorative waterproofing, stone wall construction, veneer installation, or backyard hardscaping. Homeowners can also hire masonry contractors to pour concrete stairs or walkways, lay stone paths, build outdoor barbecues, or install a concrete driveway. Homeowners will want to take their time figuring out exactly what they need to do, then look for qualified masonry contractors who can complete the required work.
Service Area and Scheduling
One factor that can often get overlooked is the service area of the masonry contractor. While some companies have many locations, allowing them to be available in most states, this isn’t the case with every masonry contractor. Some contractors work within a small, local service area. Before contacting the company, it’s wise for the customer to check the service area to ensure that their home falls within the range.
Similarly, homeowners will want to consider the company’s scheduling process. Some projects may require the customer to be home while work is completed. Homeowners can speak to a customer service representative to find out the company’s availability and how to schedule masonry work.
Certification and Service Liability Coverage
Certification and licensing as a masonry professional are not strictly necessary in the United States. Still, having some certification can demonstrate expert knowledge and serve as a way for masonry contractors to stand out. Certification is an objective way for customers to discern experienced, knowledgeable workers.
Another factor to ask about before hiring a masonry contractor is whether the masons and the company have service liability coverage. This is essentially insurance to protect the customer from any liability in case of an accident on their property. There are many risks involved with climbing ladders, working at heights, and carrying heavy masonry materials, so finding a company with the appropriate service liability coverage is recommended.
Guarantees
Masonry work tends to fall outside most DIYers’ skill sets. Hiring a masonry contractor is a great way for homeowners to take care of projects that they don’t have the experience or skill necessary to complete. When looking for a masonry contractor to complete work around the home, a customer may find some companies that offer guarantees on the labor or the materials. This essentially means that for a stated period, any problems with the work will be repaired by the company, though the terms and conditions vary between contractors. Not every company has a guarantee on the work it completes, so if a customer wants this extra assurance, it’s a good idea to ask about guarantees before scheduling any work.
Our Top Picks
Homeowners will want to consider this list of the best masonry contractors. We selected the top companies based on the range of services available, certifications, service area, insurance, and overall value.
Best Overall
The Home Depot
- Types of services offered: General masonry
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online
Pros
- Over 2,300 locations nationwide
- Wide range of whole-home masonry services available
- Customers can obtain quotes or bids within minutes
- Background checks performed on all professionals
- Verified technician licensing and insurance
Cons
- Guarantees and financing options may vary by contractor
Why It Made the Cut: Available nationwide, The Home Depot offers a wide variety of interior and exterior whole-home masonry services. The range of The Home Depot’s service area can’t be beaten, with 2,300 locations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to ensure that almost any homeowner has access to the company’s wide range of masonry services. The Home Depot offers interior, exterior, decorative, and structural whole-home masonry services. Customers simply enter their ZIP code to access a list of professional masonry contractors in their area, then reach out to contractors to get quotes or bids on the work. It is important to note that The Home Depot is merely acting as a platform for outside contractors in this regard, so guarantees on the work and financing options may vary. However, customers can enjoy the peace of mind they get from knowing that all professionals have completed background checks and the technicians are licensed and insured.
Best for Hardscaping
The Grounds Guys
- Types of services offered: Hardscaping
- Service area: 46 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Phone
Pros
- Cohesive, custom hardscape and landscape design
- Hardscape and landscape maintenance available
- Relatively long guarantee period of 14 days after service is performed
Cons
- No online scheduling or account management option
Why It Made the Cut: The Grounds Guys are a top choice for installing exterior masonry features, like fire pits, water features, or patios. Hiring landscapers is a good option for keeping trees, bushes, and lawns trimmed and manicured throughout the year. But when it comes to putting in exterior masonry features, like fire pits or patios, it’s better to rely on hardscaping specialists. Luckily, The Grounds Guys can do both landscaping and hardscaping. Technicians can install fountains, retaining walls, patios, and more to create a custom design for the yard that combines the landscaping and hardscaping elements into one cohesive look. The Grounds Guys help to guide the customer toward a solution that will work best for the space and budget. After installation, customers can set up a maintenance agreement with the company to regularly maintain the hardscaping, landscaping, and gardens. There are no online scheduling or account maintenance features, so customers will have to call a branch to make appointments. Customers have up to 14 days to report any issues with the work performed, which is a relatively long guarantee period for this type of work.
Best for Chimneys
Midtown Chimney Sweeps
- Types of services offered: Chimney masonry
- Service area: 11 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
Pros
- Experienced, certified chimney cleaning and repair technicians
- Helpful resources and articles readily available online
Cons
- Relatively limited service area
Why It Made the Cut: Midtown Chimney Sweeps has a crew of chimney experts certified by the National Fireplace Institute and specializes in not just repairing chimneys, but also cleaning and maintaining them. One of the most common tasks that masonry experts are hired to complete is chimney repair. Chimneys can crack, crumble, and fail if they are not properly maintained, which may have homeowners in a panic searching online for “fireplace masonry near me.” Customers in 11 states can feel confident relying on Midtown Chimney Sweeps because the company has a crew of chimney professionals certified by the National Fireplace Institute to clean, repair, and maintain chimneys. This professional certification signifies a high level of experience and skill that the workers bring to every job. For those who want to learn more about chimney care and maintenance, the company website has many helpful resources, including a library of readily available articles.
Best Aggregator
Angi
- Types of services offered: General masonry
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online
Pros
- Customers can filter by project and choose from local professionals
- Customers can obtain quotes or bids within minutes
- Website is streamlined and user-friendly
- Comprehensive resource center organized by project type
Cons
- Name, phone number, and email are required to browse local services
- Persistent follow-up emails
Why It Made the Cut: Customers can find a wide range of local professionals and get quotes in minutes with Angi. Not every masonry contractor is affiliated with a specific company. Some masons prefer to run their own businesses and can be found through aggregator sites like Angi. Customers can navigate the streamlined, user-friendly website to filter by the project type and locate professionals in their area. Using Angi, customers can discuss rates and get quotes or bids from professional contractors within minutes. However, they will need to provide their name, phone number, and email to browse local services. Angi is known to send persistent follow-up emails, though these communications can always be filtered into a spam folder if necessary. The website also has a comprehensive resource center organized by project type so that customers can track down more information on their current or future projects.
Our Verdict
Hiring masonry contractors from The Home Depot is an excellent choice for a wide range of masonry services, including interior, exterior, decorative, and structural whole-home projects. For those focused on installing or repairing hardscaping in the yard, The Grounds Guys are a reliable company specializing in outdoor design and landscaping.
How We Chose the Best Masonry Contractors
To select a list of the best masonry contractors, it was necessary to start with a pool of potential options before narrowing the selection down to the top choices based on key factors. The main goal of this guide was to select companies that suited the average homeowner’s needs. To achieve this goal, we put ourselves in the customer’s shoes to identify reasons for them to seek out a masonry contractor in the first place.
Typically, homeowners look for masonry contractors to install hardscaping in the yard, build retaining walls, repair chimneys, and put in fireplaces. So it was necessary to find contractors that offered these services. It was also important to select companies with a broad service area to help ensure the top options were available to a wide range of people. Licenses, certification, and guarantees were also factored into the final decision to ensure the best masonry contractors provided high value to customers.
Before You Hire One of the Best Masonry Contractors
Instead of opting for the first option when searching for “masonry work near me,” it’s recommended to research a pool of contractors before deciding on the right company to hire. Homeowners will want to consider companies certified or licensed to complete the work, so they can have confidence knowing that the masons had to undergo training and testing. Most companies will have portfolios of past jobs so homeowners can get a better idea of the quality of their work.
Customers will want to discuss the project details and budget with the contractors. During this discussion, customers will also want clarity on the project timeline to know how long the job will take to complete.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Masonry Contractors
Due to the range of projects that rely on masonry experts, the cost of hiring a masonry contractor can vary significantly. For instance, sealing or waterproofing brickwork will cost about $2 to $10 per square foot, while repairing brick costs about $10 to $30 per square foot.
On average, masonry work costs about $40 to $100 per hour, and there’s often a minimum service fee of $250 to $400. The cost of materials ranges based on the type of material (for example, the upfront cost of pavers versus concrete varies by up to 15 percent) and the amount of material needed to complete the job, though an average price would typically fall between $1,000 and $3,500.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Masonry Contractors
Masonry work can take a lot of time if homeowners attempt to learn and tackle a project independently. By hiring a masonry contractor, homeowners can feel confident that the masons are knowledgeable and experienced, making the entire project go more smoothly. This increased efficiency allows the workers to complete the project within a shorter time frame instead of having the home under construction for weeks.
While homeowners can try their hand at laying pavers to make a garden path, it isn’t in anyone’s best interest to attempt a DIY repair of a chimney or fireplace. If a mistake is made, the collapse of the masonry materials can put a home’s residents or neighbors at risk. Masonry contractors know what they are doing thanks to years of honing their craft, allowing them to make durable, lasting structures. Additionally, these experts take proper precautions to ensure their safety when transporting material, climbing ladders, working at heights, or even crawling into a confined space.
- Hiring a masonry contractor improves project efficiency and shortens the project completion time.
- Professional contractors have the skill necessary to craft durable, lasting structures.
- Expert masons know how to work safely without taking risks.
FAQs
Consider the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about finding and hiring a masonry company for structural and decorative work around the house or yard.
Q. What are the types of masonry work?
The main types of masonry work are veneer work, which does not support a structure, and solid masonry, which can hold itself up on its own and may provide support to another part of the structure. Some examples of masonry tasks or projects include laying bricks, building chimneys, pouring footings, making cement repairs, installing quarried stone paths, and putting in brick or stone walls.
Q. Can you do masonry work yourself?
You can tackle a masonry project independently with the right skills, knowledge, and material. Still, unless you are experienced in masonry, hiring a professional is recommended to ensure the job is done correctly.
Q. How do I choose a masonry contractor?
Looking for “brick masons near me” isn’t the best option for finding a masonry contractor. Evaluating the costs and work methods of a pool of potential candidates is recommended. Check the service liability coverage and guarantees, and follow up with more in-depth research of your top three options to find the best masonry contractors for your project.
Q. What are the qualities of a good mason?
There are several key qualities a mason should have. Physical fitness is important, given that the mason must regularly lift heavy equipment and materials throughout the day. A mason should also have good manual dexterity to apply smooth, even layers of mortar and decent creativity to shape stones into attractive, functional structures. Additionally, masons need to be able to read and comprehend blueprints, instructions, and safety procedures.
Q. How much does hiring a mason cost?
The cost of hiring a mason varies depending on the job. On average, you can expect to pay between $40 to $100 per hour for the labor. You will also need to pay about $1,000 to $3,500 for the materials, and some companies may have a minimum service fee that ranges from about $250 to $400.
Q. What time of year is best for masonry work?
Generally, the best time to start masonry repairs is at the tail end of summer and into the beginning of fall because temperatures are cooler and precipitation isn’t as big a problem as it is later in the year.
Sources: HomeGuide