Masonry contractor in Montclair, CA - repairs that save the good brick
Fieldstone Ontario Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Ontario, and in Montclair we repair block fences, brick, chimneys and foundations and build new walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens that suit the house.
Masonry in Montclair, from block fences to chimneys
Montclair is a short drive west of us in Ontario. It's a compact city, and most of our calls here come from houses, usually single-story homes on regular lots with block fences between the yards and a brick planter or chimney out front. There's plenty of shopping and business along the main roads, but our work here is mostly residential, the same kind we do up in Upland and down in Chino Hills.
A lot of these homes have been around long enough that the original walls and brick have settled, cracked or been patched a few times, so the first job is usually figuring out which part is actually failing and which part is fine.
Masonry services we bring to Montclair
A door that starts sticking or a crack climbing the stucco can trace back to the foundation, so I find what's moving before we patch anything.
Older homes here often still have a brick chimney, and loose bricks or a cracked cap up top are worth fixing before they let water in.
When the mortar between bricks has gone sandy or dropped back from the face, we grind out just the worn joints and refill them, leaving solid ones alone.
A cracked brick on a planter or a flaking section of wall usually doesn't mean a rebuild, so we replace just the bad ones and match the color.
Swapping a cracked concrete driveway for pavers gives you a surface that's easy to fix later, since a sunken spot means lifting a few pavers instead of breaking concrete.
Where a yard steps up to the neighbor's or a slope crowds the patio, a retaining wall holds the dirt back, and drainage behind it keeps it standing.
For brick and stone that's been patched over the years with the wrong mortar, we sort out what's worth saving and bring the rest back to match.
Thinking about a fireplace for the patio or the family room? We build it in brick or stone to suit the house and plan the venting first.
A plain stucco front or a bare block column takes thin stone veneer well, so you get the look of a stone wall without building one.
Block fences between yards are everywhere here, and when one leans or cracks, I check the footing and the steel inside before we decide on repair or rebuild.
For a room addition or a new garage, we lay the block foundation wall on a proper footing so the framing above starts out level.
We build grill islands, bar counters and pizza oven bases in block, then finish them in brick, stone or stucco to match the back of your house.
That cracked path from the driveway to the front door can become brick, pavers or stone, laid on a packed base so the pieces stay flat underfoot.
A low brick wall along the front yard or around a patio sets off the house, and we size the footing to how tall it'll stand.
Natural stone suits steps, columns and garden walls, and since every piece gets fitted by hand, I'll show you samples before we order any.
If the mortar on your brick steps or planter is only worn in spots, pointing those joints is a small job that keeps water out of the rest.
What Montclair houses and yards ask of masonry
We're a small, licensed and insured crew, and you'll deal with me from the first walk-around to the final sweep, with the work backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Sound brick stays put
When most of the brick is sound, we repair only what's failing, because tearing out good work just costs you money.
Honest about what can wait
If a crack is cosmetic or a wall has years left in it, I'll say so rather than sell you work.
Built to the city's earthquake rating
The city's earthquake design rating for permitted work is D, E or F, so we build permitted walls to meet it.
Shared fences checked early
Block fences here often sit right on the property line, so we check with the city early to head off surprises later.
Tidy work around your family
Working around tenants for years taught me to keep the site tidy, because people still live in your house.
Montclair masonry questions
Who issues building permits for masonry work in Montclair, CA?
The city's Building Division issues building permits for construction on private property in Montclair, and its staff review the drawings and come out for inspections. Most permits are taken out in person at the counter at City Hall. If your job needs city sign off, we take care of the permit and set up the inspections, and if you're not sure whether it does, I'll check with the city when I come look.
Can a homeowner pull their own building permit in Montclair?
Yes, the city has an owner-builder permit for owners doing the work themselves. You'd sign a form exempting you from workers' compensation insurance, agree to comply if you later become subject to those rules, and pay at the City Hall counter by check, cash or credit card. If we're doing the work, we pull the permit in our name instead.
What is the best way to check out a masonry contractor in Montclair?
Ask whether they'll pull the permit themselves, because the city lets any properly licensed state contractor do that by showing the pocket copy of their license and proof of their workers' compensation carrier and policy number. The city also requires every business working in Montclair to pay a business license tax, and that license is good for one year from the date it's issued. We're licensed and insured, and I'm glad to show you the paperwork when I come out.
What building code applies to a new wall or masonry project in Montclair?
Montclair builds to the California Building Standards Code, and for homes that means the California Residential Code with the city's own amendments. Besides the earthquake rating above, the city's design criteria set a 96 mph wind speed and plan for up to 2 inches of rain an hour, which are the numbers a permitted wall or structure gets designed around.
How much does masonry repair cost in Montclair?
Your price comes from the size of the job, the material and what we find once it's opened up, and I put your own figure in a written estimate after I've walked the property. A short run of worn mortar costs far less than a leaning block fence that needs a new footing, and stone usually runs more than block or brick. The schedule mostly turns on whether the job needs plans and a permit, and on giving mortar or concrete time to set before we build on it.
How do I get plans approved for a room addition foundation in Montclair?
You turn in three sets of detailed plans to the Building Division, covering floor plans, elevations, framing, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, along with a plan check deposit. A qualified draftperson can usually draw plans for a room addition, though larger projects may need plans signed by an architect or engineer licensed by the state, and any grading plans and soil report go to the city's Public Works and Engineering Division. Once the plans are approved, we lay the block foundation, and I'm happy to talk through who should draw them.
Near Montclair but not listed? Call us
If your city is below, its page shows what we do there, and if it isn't, call (909) 738-1042, because we work in plenty of other cities nearby.
Plan your Montclair masonry job with us
Call (909) 738-1042 or send the form, even after work, because we answer into the evening, weekends included, and I'll set a time to walk the job.