Foundation repair
We fix cracked and settling block or brick foundations. We dig out first to see how far the damage runs, because older foundations here often hide more than the crack shows.
Masonry Contractor in Highland, CA - Brick, Block and Stone Done Once
Fieldstone Rialto Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Rialto, CA, working in Highland on block walls, retaining walls, chimneys, brick repair and repointing for older bungalows and newer homes alike.
Masonry work in Highland, as we see it
Highland has a lot of older houses. In and around the Highland Historic District you'll see early 1900s Craftsman bungalows with brick chimneys, porch piers and garden walls that have taken about a century of weather. Those jobs are mostly about mortar. We cut out what's gone soft and match the new mortar to the old so the repair doesn't stand out. On the newer streets, the calls lean toward block walls between yards, retaining walls and the patio or walkway someone's been putting off.
Summers here are hot. An older set of records, covering 1903 to 1967, puts the average July high at about 92°F. Mortar or concrete that dries too fast in that heat cracks, so in summer we work the cooler hours and keep fresh work damp while it sets. The city's trail guide also notes that the Natural Parkland Trail, at the east end of Base Line, sits right on the San Andreas Fault. That's one more reason I won't build a wall without a proper footing and steel in it.
What a job costs mostly comes down to the wall's height and length, how deep the footing has to go, whether old brick has to be matched, and how easy it is to get material into your yard. The schedule turns on whether the city needs a permit and inspections, and on the weather. I'll lay all of that out in a written estimate after I walk the job. We're a masonry contractor based in Rialto, CA, and we do the same work right next door in Redlands and San Bernardino.
I come out, and I run it
I walk your job and write the estimate myself. When our crew builds it, I'm on site running it, so the person you talked to answers for the work.
Permits filed with the city
If your job needs a permit, we file it through the city's online permit portal and we're there for the inspections. When I'm not sure a job needs one, I ask the city before we start.
Licensed, insured and honest about it
We're licensed and insured, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee. If a wall isn't worth fixing, I'll tell you so instead of selling you a repair that won't hold.
Masonry services we do for Highland homes
Chimney repair
Loose brick, cracked crowns and washed-out mortar are common on older bungalow chimneys. We rebuild whatever's failing above the roofline so water stops working its way down inside the house.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints have gone sandy or sunk back, we grind them out to a clean depth and pack in new mortar. Where the house's style calls for it, we add a thin contrasting line.
Brick repair
We cut out cracked or spalled bricks, the ones shedding their faces, and set replacements. We match them as close as we can to the size and color of the wall around them.
Driveway pavers
We dig out the old driveway, compact a gravel base and lay the pavers on it. A paver drive stays only as flat as the base under it, so the base gets the most work.
Retaining wall construction
For sloped yards, we build block and stone retaining walls on a footing, with steel and drainage behind them. Most leaning walls fail from trapped water, not from bad block.
Masonry restoration
On early 1900s homes, we clean, repair and repoint the old brick and stone. The goal is to keep the original look rather than bury it under material that doesn't belong there.
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces and surrounds. Any insert or liner goes in to its maker's instructions, so the fireplace draws right and is safe to use.
Stone veneer installation
We put stone veneer over block walls, columns and house fronts. A weep screed, a metal drain strip along the bottom, gives water behind the stone a way out.
Concrete block walls
Block walls between yards and along the street are a common Highland call. We set them on a footing with steel and grouted cells so they stay straight and hold.
Foundation block wall installation
We lay block stem walls and foundation walls for additions and detached rooms. We build them level and reinforced so the framing on top starts out square.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the block base, the stone or brick facing and the countertop supports for outdoor kitchens. The gas and electric runs go to the licensed trades who handle them.
Walkway construction
We build brick, paver and concrete walkways from the driveway to the door or around the side yard. Each one is pitched slightly so rain runs off instead of pooling by your foundation.
Brick wall installation
We build garden walls, planters and brick fences. We pick the brick and mortar color to sit right next to an older house, so the new wall doesn't look tacked on.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone for walls, steps, columns and planters. Each piece is fitted by hand, so the joints stay tight and the work looks like it belongs in the yard.
Brick pointing
Where only some joints are cracked or missing, we rake them out and refill them with mortar matched to the old. That usually costs far less than rebuilding the whole wall.
Get a free written estimate for your Highland job
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I'll walk the job with you, measure and take photos, then give you a written estimate, with no pressure to book.
Free, on site, no pressure
The estimate costs nothing, and there's no obligation to book. I come to your house because a wall's footing, drainage and old mortar can't be judged from a photo.
A written estimate with reasons
You get it in writing, built from the measurements and photos I take that day. It says what we'll do and why, so you can compare it side by side with anyone else's.
A quick yes or no
If a job isn't worth doing, or isn't one we should take, I'll say so right away. A wall that has to be redone costs a family twice.
Questions about masonry work in Highland
Here are questions that come up before a masonry job in Highland, answered with the city and state rules that decide them.
Do I need a permit to build a block wall in Highland?
Yes, if the wall will be taller than 3 feet. The city puts fences on its permit list, and its exceptions cover only masonry or concrete fences 3 feet high or less. Zoning height limits and setbacks still apply. When a wall needs a permit, we file it with the city, and if I'm unsure, I check with the city before we start.
Does a retaining wall in Highland need a permit?
Under the city's permit exceptions, a retaining wall needs a permit once it's taller than 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. It also needs one if it holds up extra load, like a driveway, or backfill sloped steeper than 2:1. Whatever the height, the city wants a footing and vertical reinforcement in residential retaining walls unless one is specifically exempted, and we build them that way anyway.
Does my masonry contractor need a California state license?
In most cases, yes. The state licensing board requires a license when a project needs a building permit, uses additional workers, or costs $1,000 or more in labor and materials across one or more contracts. Highland also requires a city business license, with an Out of City license for contractors based outside city limits. It's fair to ask any contractor about both, us included.
How much of a down payment can a contractor ask for in California?
State rules cap a down payment on home improvement work at $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. Every other payment has to be listed in the contract and based on work done or materials delivered, so you aren't paying far ahead of what's actually on site.
Cities we serve for masonry work
These are the cities that have their own page on our site, and we work in other nearby cities too. If yours isn't listed, call or send the form to ask.
Tell us about your Highland wall
Call (909) 546-5001 or send the form. When mortar starts crumbling, catching it before water gets in usually keeps the repair smaller.