Masonry contractor in West Covina - repairs that leave good brick alone
Fieldstone Ontario Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Ontario, CA. In West Covina we repair block fences, brick, chimneys and steps, and we build new walls, walkways and hardscape that suit the house.
Brick and block work in West Covina
West Covina sits in the middle of the San Gabriel Valley, out the 10 from us past Montclair and Pomona. Most folks know it for Plaza West Covina and Eastland along the freeway, but my calls come from the neighborhoods behind them, where block fences, brick planters and front steps have been out in the sun a long time.
Toward the south side, streets climb into the San Jose Hills around Galster Wilderness Park and on toward Diamond Bar, and those sloped yards are where retaining walls and stepped block walls come in. The price here mostly depends on how much wall or paving there is, how easy it is to reach and whether we're matching old brick. The schedule usually turns on whether the city needs to sign off first, and the estimate is where I sort that out for your house. On the flatter streets the job is usually repairing old work without tearing out what's still sound, and up the slopes it's building walls that hold the hill.
What we do for West Covina homes
Older houses here often show a stair-step crack or a sticking door first. I find what's actually moving and fix that, not the whole foundation.
Brick chimneys on older single-story homes here take years of sun and the odd shake, so we reset loose brick and rebuild the cracked cap on top.
Is the mortar on your brick porch or planter sandy and sinking in? We rake out the worn joints and refill them so the brick can stay.
A few cracked or flaking bricks don't mean the wall has to go. We cut out the bad ones and match replacements to the old color and size.
Plenty of West Covina driveways are cracked original concrete. Pavers on a packed base can replace it, and a single sunken section lifts out and resets later.
On hillside lots here, a retaining wall holds the yard up, and we put drainage behind it so water building up doesn't push it over.
When an older brick or stone front has years of patches, stains and loose spots, we bring it back carefully and leave sound original work in place.
Thinking about a fireplace in the den or out on the patio? We build the firebox and surround in brick or stone to suit the house.
A thin layer of real or manufactured stone can freshen a plain stucco front or column. We set it over a proper backing so water can drain out.
Block fences line a lot of West Covina backyards, and many lean or crack after decades. We rebuild the bad runs and match the cap and color.
Adding a room or garage to an older ranch house? We lay the block foundation wall on a solid footing so the framing above sits level.
Backyards here get used most of the year, so we build grill islands and counters in block, brick or stone that hold up to the sun.
Front walks on older lots often heave or crack where tree roots run under them. We rebuild them in brick, pavers or concrete, set flat and even.
A new brick garden or front wall should look like it came with the house. We pick brick and mortar color to match what's already there.
Natural stone suits planters, steps and low garden walls, and we lay it by hand so each stone is bedded tight and sheds water.
If just a few joints have cracked or dropped out, spot pointing fixes those and leaves the rest alone, which is often all an older wall needs.
What West Covina yards ask of masonry
I come out to every job myself and stay on site with our crew, so the person who looked at your wall is the one making sure it gets fixed right.
Told when a fix can wait
If a crack is old and stable, I'll tell you it can wait, because tearing out sound brick just costs you money.
A tidy site, every day
Years of working around tenants taught me to keep walkways clear and clean up as we go, because people live there.
Walls that suit the slope
On hillside lots we size footings and drainage to the grade, so the wall holds the yard instead of leaning with it.
Licensed and insured
We're licensed and insured, which is worth asking any crew about before they start digging in your yard.
Backed by our satisfaction guarantee
Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and I'd rather hear a concern at the walk-through than after we leave.
West Covina masonry questions
Do I need a permit to build a block wall or retaining wall in West Covina?
Some walls are on the city's list of work that can go without a building permit, within size limits. A masonry or concrete fence qualifies at 6 feet or less if it isn't a pool or spa barrier and sits back from the street or sidewalk at least as far as it's tall. A retaining wall qualifies if it holds back no more than 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and isn't carrying extra weight above it, like a driveway or a slope, or holding back liquid. Past those limits it goes through the Building Division, and when a job needs city sign-off, we take care of the permit and set up the inspections.
Does a wall that doesn't need a building permit still need Planning approval in West Covina?
It can still need Planning Division approval, even with no building permit. In some cases Planning limits where a wall can go and how tall it can be, and it can set design requirements. Its public counter is at City Hall, Room 208, at (626) 939-8422, and for walls near a property line we check with the city early so there are no surprises.
How do I apply for a building permit in West Covina?
You apply through the city's Building Division, either online through its One Stop Building Permit Center or in person at the Building Counter at City Hall, 1444 West Garvey Avenue South, Room 215, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The division no longer takes applications by email, and you can call it at (626) 939-8425 with questions. If we're doing your job, that paperwork is ours to handle.
How much does masonry work cost in West Covina?
There's no set price, because it comes down to how much wall, brick or paving there is, what it's made of and what has to come out first. On hillside lots, getting materials up a slope and adding drainage behind a retaining wall adds work, and matching old brick or mortar color takes longer than starting fresh. Your own job gets sorted out at the estimate, where I walk it, take photos and write up what I'd do and why.
What causes block walls and brick steps to crack in West Covina?
Most cracks and leans I see here start underneath, from a footing that's settled, soil kept wet by sprinklers or a downspout, or tree roots pushing up, not from the block or brick itself. On sloped lots, water that builds up behind a retaining wall with no drainage slowly pushes it out. I look for that cause before quoting anything, because patching a crack over ground that's still moving just buys you another crack.
Does a contractor working in West Covina need a city business license?
Yes, the city requires any business operating in West Covina, from a sole proprietor to a corporation, to get a city business license. It's due within fifteen days of starting business in the city, and the Finance Department handles it, so it's a fair thing to ask any contractor about before work starts.
Your city not listed? Call anyway
If your city is below, its page has more on how we work there, and if not, call (909) 738-1042, because we work in plenty of cities nearby.
Ask Fieldstone for a West Covina estimate
Call (909) 738-1042 or use the form, and since our hours run into the evening and through the weekend, you can reach us after your workday.