Foundation repair
Cracks in a foundation wall or doors that start sticking on an older house can mean settling. We find the cause first, since a patch by itself won't hold.
Masonry contractor in Mayfair, CA - repairs and new walls for post-war homes
Mastercraft Fresno Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Fresno, CA. In Mayfair we repair mortar joints, chimneys and older brick, and we build block walls, retaining walls and walkways made to stay straight.
Masonry work on Mayfair's post-war houses
A lot of Mayfair's houses went up right after World War II, when it was one of Fresno's first big post-war neighborhoods. So you get streets of homes about the same age, with brick chimneys, block walls and front walks that have worn at about the same rate. Most of what we're called out for here is crumbling joints, a tired chimney or a wall that's started to lean, the same work we do in Old Fig Garden and across Fresno.
What moves the price is how far the damage runs, what it takes to match brick and mortar that's been in place for decades, and what's underneath, like a footing or a drainage problem we only see once it's open. The schedule turns mostly on whether the job needs a permit and inspections, and I'll go over both at the estimate. Older brick is often softer than what's made today, so we mix the mortar to suit it, because a joint that's harder than the brick can crack the brick around it.
I write every estimate myself
I come out, look at the job and write the estimate. Our own crew does the work with a lead mason running it, so the plan you heard is the plan they build.
The prep you won't see later
Running commercial crews taught me a job is won or lost before the first brick, so we spend the time on the footing, the drainage and the mortar mix.
A small fix when that's enough
I'd rather tell you a few joints need pointing than sell you a rebuilt wall. If a small repair will do the job, that's what the estimate says.
Masonry services for Mayfair homes
Chimney repair
Brick chimneys on houses this age often show loose mortar near the top and a cracked crown. We repair what's failing and tell you plainly if it needs a rebuild.
Tuckpointing
When joints turn sandy and sink back from the brick face, we grind out the worn mortar and pack in new mortar tinted to match, so the wall sheds water again.
Brick repair
Cracked or flaking bricks on a front wall, step or planter can be cut out one at a time and replaced with brick close to the old in color and size.
Driveway pavers
Unlike a cracked slab, a paver drive lets one section be lifted and reset if it settles. We dig out, pack the base well and set the pavers tight.
Retaining wall construction
Where a yard steps down or soil pushes against a fence line, we build retaining walls on a proper footing with drainage behind them, because trapped water pushes walls over.
Masonry restoration
For brick that's worn over decades, we clean it, repoint it and replace damaged pieces with matching material, so the house keeps its original look instead of a patchwork.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces and surrounds from the firebox out. When one goes into an older house, we check the existing chimney and framing before we plan it.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer can dress up a plain block wall, a porch base or a fireplace front. We set it over proper backing and flashing so water doesn't get trapped behind.
Concrete block walls
Block walls along property lines are common here, and older ones often lean when the footing was too small. We build new ones on a sized footing with steel in the cells.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions, garages and crawlspace walls, we lay block on a footing checked for level and grout the cells with steel, because everything above rests on that first course.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build grill islands, counters and outdoor kitchen bases in block, brick or stone, on a slab sized for the weight, with openings planned for gas and power lines.
Walkway construction
Front walks here are often cracked or lifted by tree roots. We tear out, regrade and build a new walk in concrete, brick or pavers that drains away from the house.
Brick wall installation
A new brick garden or front wall goes on a real footing, with control joints where it runs long. We can match the brick already on your house.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone for walls, steps, columns and planters, choosing the stone and the mortar together so the joints hold up and the stone wears evenly.
Brick pointing
If only a few joints have failed, around the steps or the base of a chimney, pointing those is often enough. I'll tell you when a small fix will do.
Get a written price for your masonry job
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I'll come out, look at the job and write the estimate. It's free, with no obligation.
Your price in writing
After I've looked at the job, you get the price in writing, so you can see what's included and compare it with other bids before anything starts.
Mention a historic home early
If your home is a designated historic property, tell us at the estimate. That way we can plan the work and the paperwork for it from the start.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
That's the standard our crew works to on every wall, chimney and walk we take on in Mayfair, from the footing up to the last joint.
Mayfair masonry permit and contract questions
Straight answers to the rules and contract questions that come up before a wall, chimney or walkway job in Mayfair.
Does a new block wall or fence in Mayfair need a permit?
Under Fresno County's rules, a fence not over 7 feet high needs no building permit. A retaining wall up to 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, is exempt too, unless it holds up extra load like a driveway above it. Larger walls go through the county's Development Services, and we file that permit for you.
Can someone without a contractor license do a small masonry job in Mayfair?
Only for jobs under California's $1,000 limit for minor work, and only when the work needs no permit and that person has no one working for them. Once a permit is involved, the office issuing it wants a signed statement of the contractor's license number. We're licensed and insured, so we sign that statement ourselves.
How big a down payment can a masonry contractor ask for in Mayfair?
On a home improvement contract, the down payment can't be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, not counting finance charges, whichever is less. That's a state rule for every contractor, so a bigger upfront ask is a reason to stop and ask questions. Make sure you have the full price in writing before you sign.
Cities we serve for masonry work
We're based in Fresno and work in the cities listed here and others around them. If your address isn't on the list, call or send the form and ask.
Get your Mayfair masonry looked at
Call (559) 319-0148 or send the form, because worn mortar lets water into the brick, and catching it early usually keeps the fix small.