Foundation repair
When a block foundation cracks or a corner drops, we dig down to see the footing first, because what it's doing decides how much has to come out.
Masonry contractor in San Bernardino - straight answers on brick, block and stone
Fieldstone Rialto Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Rialto. We work across San Bernardino, repairing and building brick, block and stone, from leaning yard walls and worn mortar to chimneys, retaining walls and backyard kitchens.
Masonry work in San Bernardino, the way we see it
San Bernardino is a big city, and the work changes with the neighborhood. In the older parts of town we get called for brick chimneys with loose bricks and worn mortar, and for block walls that have started to lean. Up toward the foothills under the Arrowhead the lots slope, so the retaining walls and the block walls on top of them hold up more of the yard. We're based next door in Rialto and do the same work in Highland and out west in Rancho Cucamonga.
The price here mostly comes down to how much wall or brick is involved, how easy it is to reach, whether old work has to come out first, and what the footing looks like once we dig. The schedule turns on whether the job needs a permit and plan review, and on how long the brick or stone you pick takes to arrive. I'll walk it with you and give you a written estimate that says what we'll do and why, so you have your own figure in hand.
Most masonry is structural work, and the city's Building and Safety Division issues building permits for structural work, with a few minor exceptions. Bigger projects need plans checked against code before a permit goes out, and some need plans from a California registered architect or engineer. When your job needs a permit, we handle the application and we're there for the inspections. If I'm not sure a job needs one, I check with the city before we start.
I'm the one who comes out
I walk the job, measure and photograph it, and write the estimate myself. Our crew does the work with me on site, so the person who quoted your job is the one running it.
Licensed, with the city's paperwork
We're licensed and insured. The city wants a state license, a current city business license and, for contractors with employees, workers' comp proof before it issues a permit, so ask any mason you're comparing.
A straight yes or no
If a wall isn't worth saving or a patch won't hold, I'll tell you at the estimate, because a wall that has to be redone costs your family twice.
Masonry services we do in San Bernardino
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here often have loose bricks near the top and a cracked crown. We rebuild what's loose, reset the crown and match the brick so the repair blends in.
Tuckpointing
We grind out crumbling mortar joints and pack in fresh mortar matched to the old color, catching it before the bricks themselves start to work loose and need relaying.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks on a wall, step or planter get cut out and replaced one at a time, with brick we match as closely as we can find.
Driveway pavers
We dig out the old slab or dirt, pack a solid base and lay pavers over it, so a single cracked paver can be lifted out and replaced later.
Retaining wall construction
On sloped lots toward the foothills, we build block retaining walls on a real footing with gravel and drainage behind them, because trapped water is what pushes a wall over.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and stone on houses and garden walls gets cleaned, repointed and repaired so it keeps its original look instead of being covered over or torn out.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces and hearths in brick or stone, and when you're putting in a manufactured unit, we set the surround to that maker's instructions.
Stone veneer installation
We set a thin stone face over stucco, block or framing after prepping the backing and flashing, because water getting behind the stone is what makes it pop loose.
Concrete block walls
Block walls between yards and along the street are everywhere here. We rebuild leaning or cracked sections on a new footing and fill the cells so the wall stands straight.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions, garages and raised floors, we lay block foundation walls on poured footings, with steel set where the plans call for it, ready for the framers.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the block base, counters and brick or stone facing for a backyard kitchen, leaving room for the grill and the gas and power lines your other trades bring in.
Walkway construction
A path from the driveway to the front door or out to the yard, in pavers, brick or stone on a packed base, sloped so water runs off instead of pooling.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden walls, planters and columns, laid on a footing sized for the wall, with joints tooled clean so it looks as good up close as from the street.
Stone masonry
Fieldstone or cut stone for walls, steps, columns and planters, fitted by hand so the joints stay tight and each stone carries its share of the weight.
Brick pointing
When only some joints have gone sandy or hollow, we point just those, matching the new mortar's color and strength to the old brick so it doesn't crack the brick.
Get a written estimate for your San Bernardino job
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I come out, walk the job with you and give you a free written estimate, with no pressure to book.
Measurements and photos on site
I measure the wall or chimney and take photos while we talk, so the estimate covers what's actually there and not a guess from the curb.
Backed by our satisfaction guarantee
Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and the written estimate spells out what we'll do and why, so you know what you're agreeing to before we start.
Calls answered evenings and weekends
We pick up Mon–Fri: 8 AM–10 PM and Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM, so you can call after work or on a Saturday morning and talk it through.
Questions about masonry permits in San Bernardino
Here's what San Bernardino homeowners usually want settled about permits and licenses before we start a wall, chimney or stone job.
Do I need a permit to build a block wall in San Bernardino?
A block wall needs city zoning approval at the least, because every fence and wall plan goes through the Planning Division. The city's permit exemption for fences up to 7 feet tall covers only non-masonry fences, so a block wall isn't in it. I check what your wall needs before we start, and we handle the application.
Does a retaining wall need a permit in San Bernardino?
The city doesn't require a building permit for a retaining wall 4 feet tall or less, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. That changes if the wall holds up an added load, like a driveway or a slope above it, or holds back certain liquids. The footing counts toward those 4 feet, which surprises people.
Can I get a permit for my own house in San Bernardino?
In most cases, yes, for a one or two-family house or a structure that goes with it, if you live there or plan to, show proof of residence and do the work yourself. You also sign a statement that you won't employ anyone in a way covered by California workers' comp laws. If you'd rather hire it out, we handle the permit.
Does a masonry contractor from outside San Bernardino need a city business license?
Yes. Anyone doing business in the city, directly or indirectly, needs a city registration certificate unless state or federal law exempts them, and contractors based outside the city can be charged a flat rate for it. It's a fair thing to ask any contractor about before you sign.
Cities we serve for masonry work
These are the cities with their own page on our site, not the only places we work. If yours isn't listed, call or send the form and ask.
Call about your wall or chimney
Leaning walls and loose chimney bricks usually get worse the longer they sit, so call (909) 546-5001 or send the form while it's small.