What happens during a free masonry estimate?

The visit starts with a walkthrough of the affected area, whether that's a cracked wall, a chimney with crumbling mortar, or a yard where a retaining wall is planned. We look at the extent of the damage, check what's below the surface where we can, like footing depth or drainage, and ask about the history of the problem, like when it started and whether it's gotten worse.

From there we talk through what's driving the issue and what the fix actually involves, since the size of the repair, the access required, the materials needed, and the amount of prep work all factor into scope. We don't hand out a number on the spot without seeing the site in person, because two chimneys that look similar from the ground can need very different amounts of work once we're up close. You get a written estimate that spells out what's included.

There's no pressure to decide anything on the spot. You can take the written estimate, think it over, compare it against other quotes, and reach back out whenever you're ready to move forward or if follow-up questions come up about the scope. If the job involves something time-sensitive, like active water intrusion or a chimney showing real structural movement, we'll say so plainly during the visit rather than leaving you to guess how urgent it actually is. That's especially true for anything touching a chimney's structure or a wall that's already showing movement, where waiting through another freeze-thaw cycle can turn a moderate repair into a much bigger one.

• Visual inspection of the brick, stone, mortar, or wall in question
• Discussion of what's causing the deterioration
• Notes on access, drainage, and existing conditions that affect scope
• A written estimate outlining the work