How to Hire a Mason

Whether you're installing a foundation for a new family room or adding a fieldstone fireplace, hiring a good mason is the key to getting the job done right.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow Pages
• Calculators
• Contractor Referral Services
• Personal Organizers
• Home Design Software
• Calculators

1. Determine the work you want to have done.

2. Contact several masons. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations or check the yellow pages.

3. Make sure the masons you interview are experienced in the specific area of work that you want done. For example, if you want a fieldstone wall constructed, don't hire a mason whose primary experience is in installing foundations.

4. Have the masons come out to the site and quote a price for the work. If the work involves basic materials (concrete, block) it's probably easiest to have the price quoted for labor and materials. If the job involves high-end materials (bricks, fieldstone), you may want to have the price quoted for labor only - the cost of materials will vary considerably with your specific selection.

5. Ask for references from the contractors and contact these references. Were the customers happy with the work? Did the contractor complete the job in a professional and timely manner?

6. Pay particular attention to past projects when hiring a contractor to do expensive and craftsmanlike work (such as installing fieldstone or creating patterns involving cutting). Check out previous projects. Is the work up to your standards?

7. Make sure the contractors are properly insured.

8. Select a contractor based on price, area of expertise, references and your impressions.

9. Execute a contract specifying the work, cost, payment schedule, start date and anticipated completion date. Make sure the contract provides for the work to be guaranteed. Also include a provision that the contractor is responsible for cleanup.

Tips & Warnings

• Typical costs (labor and material) for foundations will be approximately $3 to $4 per concrete block and $125 per cubic yard of poured concrete. These are only approximations, and your actual costs can vary considerably by region, time of year, contractor, exact materials and the specifics of the job.
• Expect to spend $6 to $8 per square foot for stucco, $8 to $12 per square foot for brickwork and $20 or more for fieldstone.
• Masonry home improvement jobs include foundations under new rooms; fireplaces; brick/stone veneer; and stone walls.
• Have the contractor fully inspect the site to ensure that the job can be done without problems. For example, if you're adding brick or stone veneer to a previously wood-sided house, it's likely that there is no pre-installed ledge for the brick or stone to rest on. This will entail considerable extra work and expense on the project. Avoid these problems: Have the contractor specify in the contract that the site has been inspected and is ready for the work to proceed.
• Always try to minimize deposits and attempt to negotiate a payment schedule that closely matches the work in place and materials delivered.

[stucco]

on 6/18/2009 Please note that there is a large difference between stucco (hardcoat) and stucco (EIFS). EIFS requires applicators in an entirely separate skilled trade, or additional training by masons. Check with local EIFS manufacturers. Here's how to tell the difference between the two types: http://torontostuccocontractor.com/blog/2008/11/stucco-vs-eifs/

[barnrestorer]

on 2/3/2009 Great!

on 11/22/2005 Make sure that there is a well documented, scale plan before starting construction, and that it is followed. Having just a "general" idea of what will take place is not enough. Invest in a designer for any major remodeling - it is well worth the price as then there will be no misunderstandings between you and the contractor. Get details as to exactly how the job will be done, specifications for materials used, and how construction will proceed before signing anything.