Seasoned Masonry Contractor in Carlsbad CA - Repairs That Fix the Cause and Blend In
M&K Carlsbad Concrete and Masonry fixes crumbling mortar joints, cracked brick and chimney leaks in Carlsbad and nearby cities like Oceanside and Vista. We also build retaining walls for sloped yards and paver driveways when the old concrete has cracked.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Masonry contractor services in Carlsbad, CA
M&K Carlsbad Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor in Carlsbad, CA, with 16 services, from repointing crumbling joints and stopping chimney leaks to building retaining walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens. What moves the price is the size of the job, how far the damage goes once old mortar comes out and how hard your brick, stone or mortar is to match. The schedule mostly turns on whether your city wants a permit and inspections, and on getting matching materials in. I'll give you your own figure in a free written estimate at your property.
Foundation repair
Stair-step cracks in your block foundation? We find out what's moving it before we repair the block and mortar, so the fix isn't just covering a crack.
Chimney repair
A leak by the chimney usually comes from cracked joints or a broken crown, the concrete cap on top. We repair the masonry that's letting water in.
Tuckpointing
We grind out worn joints, refill them in a color matched to the brick, then run a thin line of contrasting mortar along each one for crisp lines.
Brick repair
We cut out cracked, chipped or crumbling bricks and set new ones matched in size, color and texture, so the patch blends into the wall around it.
Driveway pavers
We lay paver driveways over a dug-out, compacted base so they hold up under your car, and a single sunken paver can be lifted and reset later.
Retaining wall construction
We build block and stone retaining walls that hold back a slope or level off part of the yard, with drainage behind so water doesn't push them over.
Masonry restoration
Masonry restoration is for older brick or stone that's weathered and patchy. We clean, repair and repoint it with matched materials so it reads as one wall again.
Fireplace installation
What goes into a new fireplace? We lay up the firebox, hearth and surround in brick or stone, indoors or on the patio, to suit the space.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer is a thin layer of stone set over an existing wall. We put it on house fronts, columns and fireplaces for the look of solid stone.
Concrete block walls
We build concrete block walls for privacy and property lines, set on a poured footing with steel and grout in the hollow cores where needed.
Foundation block wall installation
Adding on or building new? We lay the block foundation walls a house or addition sits on, square and level on the footing, so the framing starts true.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build block or brick counters, islands and bars for outdoor kitchens, finished in stone, brick or stucco and sized around the grill you've picked.
Walkway construction
Want a better path to the front door? We build walkways in pavers, brick, flagstone or concrete over a packed base so they feel solid underfoot.
Brick wall installation
Our brick walls start on a poured footing and go up by hand, from garden walls to planters and seat walls in brick that suits your house.
Stone masonry
What's stone masonry? It's walls, steps, columns and borders built from natural stone, each piece fitted by hand and set in mortar.
Brick pointing
Sandy, crumbling mortar between your bricks lets water in. We rake out the worn joints and refill them with mortar matched to the old, so it blends in.
Why homeowners pick us for masonry repair
Most of our calls are for crumbling joints, a leak by the chimney or a wall, walkway or patio someone wants built right. Here's how we handle that work.
We find the cause first
If a downspout keeps dumping water on a wall and washing out the joints, new mortar alone won't last. We figure out why your masonry cracked, leaked or crumbled, then deal with that too or tell you who should.
Plain answers, no sales pitch
I'd rather show you how your wall goes together and why it cracked than talk you into a job. If the problem turns out to be outside masonry, I'll say so and point you the right way.
Permits checked with your city
Before work starts, we check with your city's building office. When a permit is needed, we pull it, book the inspections and keep you posted, so you aren't stuck chasing paperwork.
Repairs that match what's there
Careful brick and mortar repair is what we're best known for. We match mortar color, sand and joint shape and hunt down brick close in size and texture, so the fix blends into the wall.
How a masonry job with us goes
From your first call to the final walk-through, here's how a job with us runs and what you can expect at each step.
Call or send the form
Call (760) 496-5418 or fill out our contact form with a few lines about what you're seeing and where your house is. We get back to you within one business day to set a time for me to come out. A photo of the crack or leak helps, but it isn't required.
I look it over with you
I come out to your property and we look the job over together. I'll explain what I see and what I think caused it, in plain words, and answer whatever you want to ask. Then I leave you a free written estimate, and there's no pressure to book.
We check permits and build
Once you're ready, we check permits with your city so nothing starts before the city's okay. We protect your yard, plants and paving, then our small crew of experienced masons does the work. I'm on site checking in as it goes, so you always have someone to ask.
We walk the job with you
When the work is done, we clean up and walk the finished job with you before we pack up. You can see the joints, brick and stone up close and ask about anything that catches your eye. If a permit was pulled, the city's final inspection is part of wrapping up.
Tell us about the masonry job you have in mind
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I'll come out, look the job over with you and leave a free written estimate, with no pressure to book.
- Based in
- Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 8 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM
Brick, block and stone work
These photos show the kinds of brick, block and stone work we've been talking about, handy for pointing out the look you're after when we meet.
A Carlsbad masonry business since 2013
M&K Carlsbad Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor I started in Carlsbad in 2013, after years at an office desk and a long stretch learning the trade under a veteran mason. Thirteen years on, we're fully licensed and insured. We offer 16 masonry and concrete services and have pages for 12 of the cities we work in, with plenty more around them. You can read more about how we got started and how we work.
Working on homes in Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad is where we're based, and it's a city where people spend a lot of time outside, at Carlsbad State Beach on Carlsbad Boulevard, out on Agua Hedionda Lagoon or along the paths at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. That shows up in the calls we get here, for block walls along the yard, walkways, outdoor kitchens and older brick that needs its joints redone.
Working here also means working on the city's schedule. Carlsbad lists construction hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, with no construction on Sundays or federal holidays, so those are the hours you'll see our crew at your house. Wherever you are in Carlsbad, we're close by and glad to come take a look.
Cities we serve from our Carlsbad base
M&K Carlsbad Concrete and Masonry is based in Carlsbad, CA, and works in Oceanside, Vista and the other cities below, 12 with their own page here. Those aren't the only places we go, so if your city isn't listed, give us a call and ask.
Questions about masonry in Carlsbad, CA
How much does masonry repair cost in Carlsbad?
It depends on the job, so we price it after seeing it rather than guessing over the phone. Repointing one wall costs far less than rebuilding a chimney crown, and things like reaching a tall chimney or carrying material into a tight backyard add time. Your free written estimate puts your figure on paper.
Is it cheaper to just patch cracked mortar or brick?
A patch costs less today, but if water or movement caused the crack, it usually opens back up and you end up paying twice. I'll tell you which one you're looking at, and if a quick patch really is enough, I'll say so.
How long does a masonry job take in Carlsbad?
It depends on the size of the job and whether it needs a city permit, since permitted work waits on the permit and has to pass city inspections along the way. Fresh mortar and concrete also need time to set before anyone leans on them. We'll talk through the schedule for your job when I come out.
Does a masonry contractor need a license in California?
Yes, in most cases a masonry contractor in California needs a license from the Contractors State License Board. The state requires one for any job that needs a building permit, uses employees or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined. The City of Carlsbad also requires a business license from every business working in the city, including contractors based in other cities.
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Carlsbad?
It depends on the job, and the city's Building & Permits office is the one that issues building permits. The city generally requires a permit when you add a new structure or physically change an existing one, and its sample list, which it says isn't complete, includes additions, alterations and patios. As mentioned above, we check this with the city before we start.
Do you guarantee your masonry work?
Yes, our promise is "Your satisfaction, guaranteed." That's why the last step of every job is walking the finished work with you, so you can see it up close and ask about anything before we leave.
What kind of mortar should be used to repoint old brick?
Repointing old brick usually calls for mortar that's softer than the brick around it, so the joints take the wear over the years instead of the bricks. Hard, cement-heavy mortar in an older wall can crack and flake the brick faces, so I check what's in your wall before we pick a mix and color.
Does earthquake risk in Carlsbad affect masonry walls?
It can, because the city's published design data puts Carlsbad in seismic design category D, a rating that building plans use for earthquake loads. Walls that need a permit are designed to those values, and I'll tell you when your wall is one of them.
Have masonry work in mind for your Carlsbad home?
Call (760) 496-5418 or send the form, and ask whether your project needs a city permit while you're at it. We get back to you within one business day to set up a free estimate.