Masonry Contractor in San Bernardino, CA - Brick and Walls Built to Stay Sound
Classic Beaumont Masonry and Concrete is a masonry contractor based in Beaumont that works in San Bernardino, repairing worn brick and mortar and building block walls, retaining walls, walkways and stone work that go up square and level.
Old brick, newer block and yards on a slope
San Bernardino is a big city with a lot of different housing in it, from older brick and block houses in the neighborhoods around downtown to newer tract homes with block walls between the yards, and streets that climb toward the foothills under the Arrowhead. Because the houses here were built over so many decades, I don't assume anything going in, and the first thing I do on a job is figure out what the wall or chimney was built with.
The city sits right next to Highland and Redlands, and the work runs much the same way there. Here it usually comes down to old mortar that has worn out of brick joints, or a yard on a grade that needs a wall to hold the soil back.
Working in San Bernardino: permits, licenses and price
In San Bernardino, building permits for structural work come from the city's Building and Safety Division, so on a new wall or a foundation job, the city's process usually sets the start date more than our calendar does. The city only issues permits to contractors who hold the right state license and a current San Bernardino business license, and who show workers' comp if they have employees, so those are fair things to ask any mason before you sign. When a job needs a permit, we prepare the application, send it to the city and handle the inspections, and if you're not sure yours needs one, we'll check with the city before work starts.
We come over from Beaumont, the same crew that works in Banning and the other cities around us, and we put the same care into the base, the drainage and the mortar mix here as we do at home. The price mostly moves with the length and height of the wall, how deep the footing has to go, how easy it is to get block and mortar to the spot, and on older brick, how much worn mortar has to come out, which I can't always tell until we open a few joints. At the estimate I'll explain what I'd do and why, and if a repair can wait, I'll tell you that too.
Masonry work we do in San Bernardino
- Foundation repair
- Chimney repair
- Tuckpointing
- Brick repair
- Driveway pavers
- Retaining wall construction
- Masonry restoration
- Fireplace installation
- Stone veneer installation
- Concrete block walls
- Foundation block wall installation
- Outdoor kitchen masonry
- Walkway construction
- Brick wall installation
- Stone masonry
- Brick pointing
Older brick and sloped yards both need careful work
On the older brick houses here, the mortar between the bricks is usually what gives out first, cracking and sanding out of the joints until water can get in behind the face of the wall. We fix that with tuckpointing, which means grinding out the worn mortar and packing fresh mortar back into the joints, and we match the new mortar to the old brick, because mortar that's harder than the brick around it can end up cracking the brick itself. I'd rather open a few joints and show you what's there than guess at the whole wall from the driveway.
Ground shaking matters here too, enough that the city points homeowners to Earthquake Brace and Bolt, a program that helps strengthen an existing house against ground shaking and soil failure. For a block or retaining wall on a sloped yard, that's one more reason the footing and drainage get most of our time, since that's the part you'll never see again once the wall is up.
Get a free on-site masonry estimate in San Bernardino
Tell us about your wall, chimney or walkway in San Bernardino, and we'll reply within one business day by phone or message. Then I come out, look at it with you and give you a free on-site estimate, with no obligation to go ahead.
How a masonry job goes when you call us in San Bernardino
Call or send a message
Tell us what you're seeing, whether it's cracked joints, a leaning wall or a new wall you want built. A couple of photos help me know what to bring when I come out.
I look at the job
I come out myself, walk the wall or chimney with you and check the footing, the drainage and the condition of the old mortar. Then I explain what I'd do and why.
We handle the city permit
If the job needs a permit, we prepare the application and file it with the city. Minor permits are usually issued over the counter, while bigger projects need plans reviewed for code compliance first, and some need plans from a California registered architect or engineer, so that review often sets the start date.
Our crew does the work
Our trained masons build or repair the wall, and we work through any city inspections the permit calls for. Clearing a path to the work area and moving cars out of the way keeps things moving.
I check it before finishing
Before we call it done, I go over the joints, the level and the cleanup myself. If something isn't right, we fix it then.
Brick, block and stone work
Masonry questions from San Bernardino homeowners
How do I know if my retaining wall needs a permit in San Bernardino?
The city doesn't require a building permit for a retaining wall that's 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. That exemption ends when the wall holds up an added load, like a slope or a driveway above it, or holds back certain liquids. Since the footing counts toward the height, a wall that looks short can still need one, so we check with the city before we dig.
Does a block wall along my property line need city approval in San Bernardino?
Yes, the city's Planning Division has to give zoning approval for all fence and wall plans. The permit exemption for fences up to 7 feet covers non-masonry fences only, so a block or brick wall isn't covered by it. We sort out what your wall needs with the city before the first block goes down.
Can I get my own building permit for masonry work on my San Bernardino house?
In most cases, yes, for a one or two-family house or a structure on that lot, if you live there or plan to, show proof of residence and do the work yourself. You'll also sign a statement that you won't hire anyone in a way covered by California workers' compensation laws. You can ask about it at the city's building office, and if you hire us, we pull the permit instead.
Does a contractor based outside San Bernardino need a city business license?
Yes, anyone doing business in San Bernardino needs a city registration certificate unless a state or federal law exempts them, and that includes contractors from other cities. Contractors based outside the city may be charged a flat rate set by the Mayor and City Council. We're based in Beaumont, so this rule applies to us too.
How much does a masonry wall or brick repair cost in San Bernardino?
It depends on the job, mostly on the size and height of the wall, how deep the footing goes and how easy the spot is to reach. Permit fees, plans when a wall needs them, and on brick repair, how much old mortar has to come out all move it too. I'll give you a real figure once I've seen it at the free estimate.
How do I schedule a city inspection for masonry work in San Bernardino?
Inspection requests go through SB Direct at 909-998-2000. When we pull the permit, we set up the inspections and work through them, so you don't have to make that call. If you took out an owner permit yourself, that's the number you call when each stage of the work is ready.
Get your San Bernardino brick or wall looked at
A cracked joint is a smaller job before water works in behind the brick, so call (951) 524-1277 or use our contact form.