Masonry Contractor in El Cajon, CA - Repairs That Fix the Cause
Advanced Encinitas Concrete and Masonry repairs brick, stone and block and builds retaining walls, block walls and pavers for homeowners in El Cajon. I come out myself, and our own crew does the work.
Masonry repair and walls in El Cajon
We're based in Encinitas and come out to El Cajon for the same work we do from Chula Vista to Santee. Most of our calls start with something you can see: a block or retaining wall starting to lean, mortar joints turning to sand, or a chimney letting water in.
Price turns on how much has to come out before we build back, how big the job is and the material. The schedule turns mostly on whether the city needs a permit first. I find the cause before I price anything, and your written estimate puts a number on it.
Masonry work we do in El Cajon
We take on repair and new building alike in El Cajon, from repointing old brick and fixing a leaning wall to laying new block, stone and pavers where a yard needs them.
Foundation repair
Cracks in a block or concrete foundation, or a corner that has dropped, mean something moved. We find the cause and repair it along with the crack.
View Service Foundation repair
Chimney repair
A leaking chimney usually comes down to a cracked crown, the concrete cap on top, or open mortar joints. We repair both and reset any loose brick.
View Service Chimney repair
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is grinding out worn mortar and packing in new, shaped to match the old joints. It's the call when the brick is sound but the joints crumble.
View Service Tuckpointing
Brick repair
When a few bricks have cracked, loosened or spalled, their faces flaking off, we cut them out and set replacements matched as closely as we can.
View Service Brick repair
Driveway pavers
We lay paver driveways on a base we dig out and pack down, because pavers stay flat only as long as the ground under them does.
View Service Driveway pavers
Retaining wall construction
A retaining wall holds back a slope, and wet soil pushes hardest. We build with drainage behind the wall and a footing sized for its height.
View Service Retaining wall construction
Masonry restoration
For older brick and stone that's weathered or been patched badly over the years, we clean, repoint and repair with mortar that suits the original.
View Service Masonry restoration
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces and surrounds, planned around the firebox, hearth and chimney so the finished piece works as well as it looks.
View Service Fireplace installation
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer is thin stone set over an existing wall. We prep the surface and handle the water barrier, since moisture trapped behind veneer is what ruins it.
View Service Stone veneer installation
Concrete block walls
Block walls suit property lines, privacy and side yards. We set them on a footing, with steel and grout in the hollow cells where the wall needs it.
View Service Concrete block walls
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition, garage or crawl space needs a block foundation wall, we lay it plumb and level, because everything built on top depends on it.
View Service Foundation block wall installation
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the block base, stone or brick facing and counter supports for an outdoor kitchen, leaving room for the grill and its gas and power.
View Service Outdoor kitchen masonry
Walkway construction
A walkway that heaves or holds puddles usually has a base problem. We build new paths in brick, stone or pavers on a packed base that sheds water.
View Service Walkway construction
Brick wall installation
We build brick garden, entry and boundary walls on a solid footing, then cap the top to keep rain from soaking down into the wall.
View Service Brick wall installation
Stone masonry
Natural stone takes more fitting than brick, so it's slower work. We build and repair stone walls, steps and columns, setting each piece to carry weight.
View Service Stone masonry
Brick pointing
When only some joints have opened up, spot pointing refills them before water gets in. We mix mortar soft enough for older brick, so the brick isn't damaged.
View Service Brick pointing
Tell us about the job
Send your El Cajon address and what you're seeing. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no pressure to book.
(760) 230-9799Why homeowners in El Cajon call us
People call us when something in their masonry is failing and they want it fixed once. Here's how we work on every job we take.
- We fix the cause first. If a wall leans or joints keep crumbling, we find what's pushing on it or soaking it before we patch what you can see.
- Blunt about what I see. I'd rather you hear bad news from me at the estimate than from a failed wall down the road.
- Careful with older masonry. We're best known for repair on older brick and stone, and we go slow so new mortar and brick fit the old.
- Fully licensed and insured. Ask to see both before you sign anything, and know that our promise is satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Other cities we work in
Advanced Encinitas Concrete and Masonry is based in Encinitas, and our crew also works in La Mesa and National City. If your city isn't on the list, call (760) 230-9799 and ask.
From first call to walk-through
I'd rather you know what we're doing and why before we start, so you hear it from me at the visit, in the estimate and again at the walk-through.
Site visit
You call or send the form, and I come out to the property myself. I look over the wall, chimney or brick, ask what you've noticed and tell you straight what I think is causing it.
Estimate
You get a written estimate that spells out what we'd do and why. Once you say go, we check with the city's building office and handle the permit application ourselves when the job needs one.
The work
Our own crew does the work with me running the site, so the person who priced the job is there while it gets done. When we're finished, I walk the job with you and answer anything you want to know.
El Cajon masonry questions
How do I know if my address is inside the City of El Cajon?
Look it up in the city's online permit portal, because the city says an address missing there is likely not inside El Cajon. Many unincorporated San Diego County addresses still use El Cajon as the mailing city, and city rules follow the city limits, not the mailing address.
How do I get a building permit for masonry work in El Cajon?
Building permits in El Cajon go through the city's Building Safety office, part of Community Development. Engineering Services helps process encroachment permits for work in the public right-of-way, like the sidewalk, and grading plans for reshaping ground on any property. When your job needs a permit, we file the application ourselves.
When does a contractor need a California state license?
A contractor building or altering a structure needs a Contractors State License Board license if the job needs a building permit, uses any additional workers, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials on one or more contracts. The board's small-job exemption only covers work under $1,000 with no permit and no employee labor.
Does a contractor from outside El Cajon need a city business license?
Yes, the city requires businesses from outside El Cajon that perform services at a customer's home in the city to get a business license and pay the business license tax. The same goes for businesses run out of a home. It's a fair question to ask any contractor, us included.
How much does masonry work cost in El Cajon?
There's no fair flat price, because masonry runs from repointing a few joints to building a new retaining wall. Cost turns mostly on how much has to come out, whether drainage or a weak footing caused the problem, and the material, since natural stone takes longer to fit than block. Your written estimate gives you the figure.
Plan your El Cajon masonry work
A crack caught early is usually a smaller fix, so call (760) 230-9799 with your address and we'll set a time to come look.