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bricklaying/masonry

jackplane | Posted in Business on July 23, 2004 04:11am

  I’ve had a tough time this past year retaining/finding a brickmason. Initially, I contracted a guy to pour the foundation and lay block for a two-story addition. He did this fine.

   Then a few months later I had the addition all framed and wrapped, ready for his brick veneer. But for 10 months he said he’d stop by, never did, and never returned my calls. So then I guy I work with says he’ll do it- three times he failed to show.

   Then I call more than half a dozen masons, only one shows interest, says I’ll have to wait till October.  My question: Is it unusually busy now for this trade or do most brickmasons blow off customers? Maybe it’s location?

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  1. Ruby | Jul 23, 2004 06:36pm | #1

    Same here.

    Waited on them more than two months to get the brick on the house and build the fireplace and chimney, putting the concrete men behind on pouring the porches. Have been forever now waiting to get a little wall by the patio. Am thinking of not putting it there if they wait much longer. I am sure they won't care if they do or don't.

    They were supposed to show up today, if not Monday. Well, not today, at least not yet. Monday? Anyone's guess.

    The builder has been trying to get them all morning and can't, doesn't know where they are.

    I have been told that they don't like to be told what to do or where and when to go do it.

    I have to say that they did a great job on the house and fireplace and hopefully will when they make that little wall by the patio.<G>

  2. ZippyZoom | Jul 23, 2004 06:46pm | #2

    Another "same here"

    Materials are on site, and have been for months.  Project (a fireplace) is about half done.  Mason decided to take on another project and come back to mine when the weather turns lousy again,  since mine is a mostly inside job.  We had a great rapport, and I paid promptly according to our agreed schedule.  $ to finish are still in the bank, but no other mason is willing to take over in the middle of a job.  Mason returns calls, but just won't come out and finish the job.  I don't usually believe in litigation, but I am sorely tempted here.

    =====Zippy=====
  3. WayneL5 | Jul 23, 2004 07:21pm | #3

    Maybe you can find masons who moonlight.  In both the towns I lived in the last couple of decades there was industry in the area (glass and ceramics) which employed union masons.  Most moonlighted so the rates were very good and the skill level was real high.

    1. jackplane | Jul 23, 2004 07:35pm | #4

      Yeah, I'm gonna scope out a few big jobsites near here, see if anyone will moonlight.

      At this point, even if I have to pay a premium, I want to get this done and move on to other work.

      1. RalphWicklund | Aug 02, 2004 06:45am | #10

        You anywhere near this guy?

        http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=45934.1

  4. User avater
    RichColumbus | Aug 01, 2004 06:33am | #5

    hate to fall in line here... but "same here".  And yes, they are so busy that it is next to impossible to find one that is available before the weather turns.

    I have had a little luck on small jobs by using moonlighters... but be sure your insurance is properly configured to cover them... including your work-comp and obviously your GL.

    I also have had some luck with "small town guys".  Guys that typically do work in the smaller towns around the area.  You can typically find them by calling around to yards that service the outlying areas.  Be aware, however... they work at their own pace... and it is typically slow.

    Also, check out your local high school shop teachers.  I have known quite a few shop teachers that are reasonably accomplished masons (have no idea why... they just are).  I can think of three off the top of my head that I have used in the past.

    Best of luck to ya... and I feel your pain! 

    1. WayneL5 | Aug 01, 2004 04:55pm | #6

      Sounds like there's a lesson here for young people considering a career in the building trades.  Masons are in demand, and, since the work is fairly hard, it's likely that even less people will go into it, only increasing demand in the future.

  5. xMikeSmith | Aug 02, 2004 03:25am | #7

    brick veneer... why not lay it up yourself ?

    rather than be at their mercy... i'd just contact a mason supply house and go to it

    Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

    1. BKCBUILDER | Aug 02, 2004 03:57am | #8

      uh..yeah...now Mike, that's just mean.

      Be sure to get a video on the way, maybe a book or two to help guide you. I'm sure it will come out just fine. Take pics....

      1. raybrowne | Aug 02, 2004 06:21am | #9

        If you have any interest in doing the brick veneer yourself pick up the Audel's Masonry guide books, they are available on e-bay. They are books from the 1920s and on(they have some great carpentry ones too..) that will go through step by step how to do the work. A great thing about them is they were written before alot of newer tools existed so they have the techniques one can use without having to spend alot on equipment. I bought them and have done some small brick restoration work on older buildings in Boston and Cambridge with quality results.

        -Ray

    2. jackplane | Aug 02, 2004 04:13pm | #11

      Mike,

        I thought of that but I'm no where near able to lay brick. I did rebuild my firebox, but laying two stories, getting brick plumb and level (as it can sit in three dimensions) is not a skill I've mastered or even had much experience with. I'd rather pay a pro than have it look sloppy and barely acceptable.

  6. WHI | Aug 11, 2004 06:21pm | #12

    I am always looking for more work, in ma or ri area

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