Foundation repair
When a crack runs through the foundation or a corner of the house has settled, we find what moved it and repair the concrete or block so the house sits right.
Masonry contractor in Martinez, CA - walls, chimneys and brick that hold up
Mastercraft Antioch Masonry and Concrete is a masonry contractor based in Antioch that works in Martinez, repairing brick, chimneys, foundations and mortar joints and building retaining walls, walkways, pavers and stonework for homeowners.
Mastercraft Antioch Masonry and Concrete repairs and builds masonry for homeowners in Martinez, from cracked brick steps and loose chimney mortar to new retaining walls, walkways and paver driveways. I come out from Antioch to look at the job myself and tell you plainly what it needs and what it doesn't.
Masonry work we see on Martinez homes
A lot of our Martinez calls come from older homes. The mortar between the bricks has gone soft and sandy, a chimney has started leaking near the top, or the front steps are pulling away from the house. Usually the brick itself is fine. What failed is the joint or the path the water takes, so that's what we fix, instead of smearing new mortar over the top.
Sloped lots shape most of the rest. A yard that steps up or down a hill leans on its retaining walls, and a wall holding back dirt needs drainage behind it, or water builds up and pushes it over. We build walls to drain and stay put, and when an old one is leaning, I'll tell you straight whether it needs a repair or a rebuild.
We work all over Martinez and the cities around it, so whether you're up near the Pleasant Hill line or down closer to the water, you get the same crew and the same approach. If you're not sure we cover your street, call and ask.
- Based in
- Antioch, CA 94509
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 8 AM–11 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–11 PM
Masonry services for Martinez homes
Chimney repair
Older chimneys often lose mortar near the top or crack at the crown and let water in. We rebuild what's failing and stop the leak where it starts.
Tuckpointing
If the joints on an older brick wall have gone sandy or sunk back, tuckpointing replaces them with new mortar shaped to match the old lines.
Brick repair
Cracked bricks, flaking faces and loose ones get cut out and replaced with a close match, and we fix why they broke, which is usually water getting in.
Driveway pavers
Pavers suit a sloped driveway because they sit on a packed base, so a section that settles can be lifted and reset instead of torn out.
Retaining wall construction
On a hillside yard, a retaining wall holds the slope back. We build drainage in behind it so water can't build pressure and push the wall out.
Masonry restoration
For older brick or stone that's stained, worn or patched badly over the years, we clean, repair and repoint it so it looks and works the way it should.
Fireplace installation
A new masonry fireplace, inside or out back, starts with the firebox, the flue and a solid base, and we plan all three before we lay the first brick.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, thin stone set over an existing wall, can dress up a plain foundation, porch or column, and we install it with the backing it needs to stay put.
Concrete block walls
Block walls work well for property lines and yard walls on uneven ground. We set them on a proper footing, fill and reinforce them, and keep them plumb.
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition, a garage or a crawl space needs a block foundation wall, we pour the footing and lay the block to carry the load above it.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the brick or block base, the counters and the grill surround for an outdoor kitchen, laid level even when the patio sits on a slope.
Walkway construction
A walk up a sloped front yard often needs steps and a firm base. We build it in brick, stone or concrete so water runs off instead of sitting under it.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden walls and property walls go up on a real footing with weep holes, small gaps that let trapped water out, so the wall doesn't hold moisture.
Stone masonry
For natural stone walls, steps or pillars, we fit and set each stone so the work suits an older home and carries its own weight without shifting.
Brick pointing
When only a few joints are cracked or open, not the whole wall, brick pointing fills just those so water stops getting in behind the brick.
Get a free on-site estimate for your Martinez job
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day, and most of the time it's me getting back to you. I'll come out to your Martinez property, look at the job myself and give you a written estimate that spells out what we'll do and what we won't. There's no obligation and no pressure to book.
(925) 503-1025What to know before masonry work in Martinez
In Martinez, the city's Building Department issues building permits to homeowners and licensed contractors for work inside city limits. When a job needs one, the permit and its inspections set the start date more than our crew does, so we plan around them. Before you hire anyone, check that they hold a state contractor's license and ask whether they've covered the city's business license for contractors.
When your job needs a permit, we pull it and line up the inspections. If it's not clear whether yours does, I check with the city before work starts instead of guessing. We're licensed and insured, and I come out to every Martinez job myself, the same as I do in Antioch, Concord or out in Rio Vista.
Price comes down to how much wall or brick is involved, how far the damage goes behind the face, what material you want matched and how hard the work is to reach, because a steep yard or tight side path means more carrying by hand. The schedule turns on the permit and on what we find once the old work is open. Your written estimate covers both.
Why Martinez homeowners call us for masonry
I started as a helper on a small masonry crew, mixing mortar and hauling block long before anyone let me lay brick. I opened this business in Antioch in 2023 after learning from masons who'd been at it for decades. I still come out to look at every job, and I'm on site with our crew when the work gets done.
I'd rather fix why something failed than cover it up, because a patch over a water problem just cracks again. That also means telling you the truth when the job is smaller than you feared. We're licensed and insured, with satisfaction guaranteed on every job. Call (925) 503-1025 or fill out our form and I'll come take a look.
City rules that can shape your Martinez job
A few Martinez rules change how a masonry job gets planned, mostly on bigger work or jobs that tear something out. Here's what each one means for you.
Current state building codes
Since January 1, 2026, permitted construction in Martinez has to meet the 2025 California building codes. For you, that means a permitted wall, foundation or fireplace gets built and inspected to today's state standard, not to whatever was normal when your house went up. We plan permitted work to that standard from the start, so the inspection isn't where we find out something's off.
Tracking debris from tear-outs
On applicable projects, the city requires construction and demolition waste to be tracked through its online Green Halo system. Within 30 days after construction ends, the applicant has to show the waste diversion requirement was met, or the whole diversion deposit is lost. If your job tears out an old wall or slab and falls under that rule, we keep the haul records ready so that deadline doesn't slip.
Other permits the city lists
Besides building permits, the city lists encroachment, grading, site development and street tree replacement permits. A masonry job can run into those when it reaches the sidewalk or street, reshapes a slope for a wall, or sits near a street tree. We ask the city about anything beyond the building permit before work starts, so we aren't surprised halfway through.
Sidewalk repair rebate
The city's permit list includes a Sidewalk Repair Rebate Application. If a cracked or lifted public sidewalk in front of your house is part of what you want fixed, it's worth asking the city about it before we schedule the work. Once you know where you stand, we can plan the new walk along with the rest of the job.
Questions Martinez homeowners ask about masonry
How much does masonry repair cost in Martinez?
The price of masonry work in Martinez comes down to the size of the job, how deep the damage goes, the material you want matched and how hard the work is to reach. Pointing a few joints costs far less than rebuilding a leaning wall. I'll give you a written estimate after I see it.
Does a masonry contractor need a license in California?
Yes, on most home jobs a masonry contractor needs a state license. The state licensing board requires one when a project needs a building permit, uses employee labor, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials. The exemption below that only covers work with no permit and no employees, and a bigger job can't be split up to fit under it.
How big a down payment can a contractor ask for in California?
Under state rules, a home improvement down payment can be no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less. Any other payments are listed in the contract and should match the work done or the materials delivered. That covers every home improvement project, so check it on any contract you're handed.
Does converting a garage to a JADU in Martinez trigger flood requirements?
Not automatically, according to the city's guidance. Flood rules only apply when construction costs equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the building being improved. For a detached garage only the garage's value counts, but an attached garage counts the whole building, which is worth knowing before you set a budget for the foundation or block work.
How long does a masonry job in Martinez take?
Most of the schedule comes down to the size of the job and whether it needs a permit. Pointing a few joints or resetting steps usually goes quickly, while a retaining wall or foundation work takes longer, and with repairs we sometimes find more once the old mortar is open. I'll go over the schedule with you when I give you the estimate.
How do I get my yard ready for masonry work?
Clear a path to the work area, move cars, planters and furniture away from the wall or walk, and keep pets inside on work days. If there's a sprinkler line near the job, point it out so we can work around it. Our crew handles the digging, the base and the cleanup when we're done.
Call to plan your Martinez masonry job
Our phone hours run until 11 PM every day, so you can call (925) 503-1025 after work or send us the form tonight and we'll set up a time to come out.