Foundation repair
We look at cracks in the stem wall and the block under the house, find what moved it, usually water, and fix that cause before we patch anything.
Masonry Contractor in Kerman, CA - Walls Built on Solid Footings
Mastercraft Fresno Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Fresno, CA, building block and brick walls, repairing mortar and chimneys, and laying pavers for homes in Kerman. We've done this work since 2013.
Masonry work in Kerman and what shapes it
Kerman is a small farm city west of Fresno, and our calls there look a lot like the rest of the valley. Older houses near the middle of town have brick and mortar that's taken decades of sun, and newer neighborhoods have block walls around most back yards. It's the same work our crew does from Fresno out to Parlier.
What moves the price on a Kerman job is usually how long and tall the wall is, how much old masonry has to come out first, the material you pick and how easy it is to get a mixer to the spot. The schedule mostly turns on whether the job needs a permit and when the city's inspector can come out. I'll look at it in person and give you the price in writing. On ground this flat, water doesn't run off on its own, so the footing and the drainage behind a wall decide how well it holds up, and that's where we spend the most time.
Footings sized to the soil
The city's design sheet, written to an older code, assumes the soil holds 1,500 pounds per square foot unless a soil report supports another number, and footing width is worked out from that.
Steel for earthquake country
That same sheet puts Kerman in Seismic Design Category D, one of the higher earthquake categories, so block walls, chimneys and foundations here get reinforcing steel and grout where the design calls for them.
Inspection days set the pace
The city books building inspections on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the request in by 4 pm the day before, so the next step on a permitted job waits for those days.
Masonry services for Kerman homes
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here take years of valley heat and winter rain, so we rebuild loose crowns and cracked brick above the roofline before water works its way inside.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints turn sandy and you can scrape them out with a key, we grind them back to a clean depth and pack in new mortar matched to the old.
Brick repair
We cut out cracked or flaking bricks one at a time and set replacements close in size and color, so the repair doesn't stand out on the wall.
Driveway pavers
Pavers last when the base under them is dug deep and packed firm, so most of our time on a paver driveway goes into ground you'll never see.
Retaining wall construction
Where a yard steps down, we build the wall on a proper footing with drain rock and weep holes behind it, so water can't build up and push it over.
Masonry restoration
On older brick houses and walls in town, we clean, repoint and repair what's there first, and only suggest tearing down and rebuilding when the old work can't be saved.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces from the footing up, with firebrick lining the firebox and a chimney sized so it draws well, and we plan the hearth around your room.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer goes over a wall or a house front with lath, a scratch coat and a weep screen at the bottom, so any water that gets behind it can drain out.
Concrete block walls
Back yard block walls are a big part of our work here, and we set them on a real footing with steel and grout, built to stay straight and solid.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions, garages and raised floors, we lay block foundation walls on a poured footing, with steel and grout placed where the plans call for them.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build grill islands and counters in block faced with stone, brick or stucco, and plan where the gas and power will run before the first course goes down.
Walkway construction
A walk from the driveway to the front door in brick, pavers or concrete, set with a slight slope so rain runs off instead of sitting on flat ground.
Brick wall installation
Brick garden walls and planters built on a footing below the soil line, with the mortar kept damp while it cures so our summer heat doesn't dry it out too fast.
Stone masonry
Natural stone walls, columns and steps, laid so each stone sits flat on its bed and carries weight, instead of being held in place by the mortar around it.
Brick pointing
When only some joints are failing, we point those sections with mortar soft enough to protect the brick, instead of redoing a whole wall that doesn't need it.
Get a written masonry estimate in Kerman
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day. I'll come out to Kerman, look at the job and give you a written price, free and with no obligation.
I write the estimate myself
I come out to look at the job and write the estimate in person, so the person pricing your wall or chimney has actually stood in your yard and looked at it.
Our own crew does the work
The work is done by our own crew, with a lead mason running it on site, so the people who set the footing are the same ones who lay the last course.
We handle the permit paperwork
When a job needs a permit, we file it with the right city or county office and handle the paperwork. If your home is a designated historic property, tell us at the estimate.
Common questions about masonry work in Kerman
Here's what Kerman homeowners usually want settled before a wall, chimney or paver job, mostly about permits, licenses and paying a contractor.
Do I need a permit to build a block wall or do masonry work in Kerman?
Usually yes, because the City of Kerman requires a permit when a structure is built, enlarged, altered, repaired or removed. Its Building Division issues permits for new construction, additions and remodels, and a few small jobs are exempt, listed in the next answer. Check with the division before work starts, and when your job needs a permit, we file it.
What small projects in Kerman don't need a building permit?
The city's permit FAQ lists side and rear fences up to 6 feet, retaining walls up to 4 feet from the bottom of the footing to the top, and walks and driveways no more than 30 inches above grade. A retaining wall holding back extra weight, like a slope or a driveway, doesn't qualify. That FAQ carries no date, so check with the city first.
Does a contractor need a business license to work in Kerman?
Yes, every contractor working inside Kerman city limits needs a business license from the city. The city's form lists $80 plus an annual fee for out-of-town contractors, the rate that applies to a Fresno-based crew like ours, and the license runs for the calendar year with no prorating or refunds. It's a fair thing to ask any contractor you're comparing.
How much can a contractor ask for as a down payment in California?
No more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less, according to the Contractors State License Board, the state board that licenses contractors. That limit covers all home improvement work, so a block wall or chimney job falls under it. If a bid asks for more than that up front, ask why before you sign.
Masonry work across our service areas
These are the cities with their own page on our site, not the only places we go. If yours isn't listed, call or send the form and ask.
Get your Kerman masonry job looked at
Call (559) 319-0148 or send the form, because cracked joints let in more water every rainy season, and the repair grows with them.