What should I look for in a masonry contractor? Make sure you hire the right masonry contractor for the scale of your project. Hiring the right professional to handle a masonry project is hard, especially...
Hiring the right professional to handle a masonry project is hard, especially if the homeowner is not knowledgeable in the subject. Homeowners should research and find a contractor that will do a good job at a fair price. "Masonry stands for excellence and permanence," says Richard Carey, General Manager for Stone Legends, an architectural stone company that has been in business for 15 years. Other materials do not leave a lasting an impression of strength, quality, and substance as that conveyed by brick, block, and stone.
"Masonry is a building system that has survived the test of time and remains unmatched in design, quality, and flexibility," says the Mason Contractors Association of America on their website, Masoncontractors.org. Masonry should be used as a compliment to a homes décor because it gives a homeowner a chance to make a home stand out from the rest. There are so many choices of size, colors, and textures to choose from to make any décor match the homeowners taste.
Masonry also provides the best fire resistance product of any building material because it will not burn, melt, or bend. Insurance companies generally will give homeowners a discount in their insurance premiums if masonry products are used. Using masonry products will also save on maintenance costs in the long run because the product does not rust, shatter, warp, dent, buckle, or rot. It is virtually maintenance free because it does not need to be cleaned or repainted.
When looking to hire a masonry contractor, a homeowner should make sure that the scope of the project matches the scope of the contractors business. For example, some mason projects are very small, so it wouldn't be a good idea to hire a contractor who works only on big projects, says Carey. "So it is more or less matching the right skills with the right-sized project." First, look at the scope of the project, determine what needs to be done, and then ask friends for recommendations.
Make sure that the contractor picked has references and that they check out. Ask to see past projects that the contractor finished, and get the customer's opinion on the job performance. Once the contractor is chosen, have them look at the project and give you a price quote. Have them quote prices for materials and labor, and then ask around to see if the price is competitive. Next, make sure the contractors are properly insured for worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability. Also, check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure their business is a good business to work with.
If the price quoted is adequate, then request a formal bid based on the same plans and specifications discussed. Don't automatically choose the lowest bid because it may mean they do not have enough experience to do the job properly. Afterwards, look over the contract, agree to terms, write out a payment schedule, and then sign the contract.
Once the project begins, watch to see if the contractor is doing what is expected. Look over the work and make sure that they are doing a good job. If a homeowner is not satisfied with what is being done, they should let the contractor know and ask that changes be made. The contractor's reputation is based on the outcome of the project, so they should be more than willing to make sure the customer is satisfied.
