Masonry is one of the world’s oldest professions. Since even before the Egyptian pyramids were built, early civilizations used brick and stone to construct homes, places of business, and religious edifices. In today’s world, brick and stone are still among the most durable construction materials available to American homeowners.
If, however, you have brick or stone cladding on your North Carolina or South Carolina home, you might not know exactly who to call when it requires repairs. Often, general contractors don’t deal with stone and brick. Instead, homeowners have to hire qualified masons. As you read this guide, you’ll discover some tips that can help you select the right masonry professional for your home improvement job.
Do plenty of research
Before you hire a Carolina stonemason or brickmason, it is important to do your research. In addition to researching local home services professionals who do masonry, you should spend time looking into various materials. Many homeowners don’t realize that there are lots of different kinds of brick and stone, all with their own pros and cons. Understanding the upsides and downsides of various materials is crucial to making the right choice for your home.
It’s also a good idea to conduct research by having conversations with friends, relatives, and neighbors who also own homes with brick or stone exteriors. They are likely to have recommendations for local masons who do high-quality work. Online reviews can also be helpful, especially if you don’t know anyone else whose home requires the expertise of a mason. Make sure you only use well-known consumer review sites!
Get more than one quote
As with any type of home renovation or maintenance, it is important to get more than one quote before you decide which professional you’re going to hire. Generally, experts recommend at least three masonry quotes prior to choosing a professional to handle your project. This will give you the opportunity to compare prices and to see which local Carolina mason seems like the right person to work with you.
Sign a contract with your mason
Regardless of what sort of home renovation you’re having done, it is important to sign a contract with the crew or individual performing the work. Not only does this protect you from any problems that could arise, but it also helps the mason; he or she will have a guarantee of payment if you sign a legally binding contract.
Masonry contracts, like most home improvement contracts, generally layout the scope of the work to be performed, how much the final cost of the project will be, and any special circumstances pertaining to a particular job. If, for example, you have worked out a payment plan with your Carolina masonry contractor, it needs to be clearly outlined in your contract paperwork.
Hopefully, this information has given you a head start on finding the right masonry professional to handle your exterior home remodel. Remember, this is not meant to replace doing research on individual masons’ websites, but is instead intended to give you an overview that will make the entire renovation process simpler and less stressful.