Masonry Contractor in Paramount, CA - Brick, block and stone that fits the house
R&S Compton Concrete and Masonry is a Compton, CA masonry contractor working in Paramount. We repair and build brick, block and stone, from pointing, chimneys and foundation walls to new yard walls, walkways and pavers.
Masonry work in Paramount homes and yards
Paramount sits right next to Compton, where we're based, so it's a short drive for me to come out and look at a job. The houses here look a lot like the ones in Long Beach and Downey. Most are single-story homes set close together on tight lots, with block walls between yards, brick planters and porches out front, and older apartment buildings that landlords keep patched. Homeowners, landlords and small property managers here call us for repairs and for new walls.
What moves the price and the schedule here is mostly how much old masonry has to come out and how easy it is to reach. On lots this tight, a wall usually has a neighbor's yard, a driveway or a garage right up against it, so we plan the dig, the footing and the cleanup around that.
Masonry services we do in Paramount
Foundation repair
When the block or brick under an older Paramount house cracks or crumbles, we open it up, find the cause and rebuild the damaged section so it carries the house again.
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here usually lose mortar at the top first. We rebuild the crown and the loose rows so the chimney stands solid and sheds water.
Tuckpointing
When the joints on a brick house or planter go sandy, we grind out the old mortar and refill them with a mix that matches the color and strength.
Brick repair
If a car, a gate or a tree root has knocked bricks loose, we cut them out and replace them with brick that matches what's already on the house.
Driveway pavers
Short driveways here take a lot of daily turning. We dig out, pack a solid base and set pavers that can be lifted and reset if one settles.
Retaining wall construction
Where one yard sits higher than the next, a retaining wall holds the soil back. We build it on a footing sized for the load, with drainage behind it.
Masonry restoration
Landlords and owners of older brick buildings call us to clean, repair and repoint walls so the building keeps its look, using no harder mortar than it needs.
Fireplace installation
We build new brick or stone fireplaces and rebuild worn fireboxes, the part that holds the fire, in a style that suits the room.
Stone veneer installation
We set thin stone over the stucco fronts and porch columns on many Paramount houses, with a backing under it so water drains out.
Concrete block walls
Block walls between yards and along driveways are everywhere in Paramount. We build new ones on a real footing, with steel and grout where the wall needs them.
Foundation block wall installation
When you add a room or a garage, we lay the block foundation walls it sits on, level and square, so the framing goes up true.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
On a small backyard, a built-in grill island saves room. We build them in block or brick and finish them to match the house.
Walkway construction
Narrow side yards and front paths get a packed base under brick, stone or pavers, laid with enough slope to shed water off the walk.
Brick wall installation
Low brick walls along the front yard are a classic look here. We lay them on a proper footing, with brick picked to suit the house.
Stone masonry
Front-yard stone planters, steps and wall caps get stone cut and fitted by hand, set in mortar that holds without staining the face.
Brick pointing
On older brick, we refill worn joints with mortar softer than the brick, because mortar that's too hard makes the brick crack instead of the joint.
Ask about your masonry job
Call (562) 232-8311 or send the form, and I'll come out, look at the job and write your estimate at your property.
Why Paramount homeowners call us
I come out to every job and write the estimate myself, and our own crew of masons does the work while I check it as it goes.
Licensed, insured, our own masons
We're licensed and fully insured, and the masons on your job are our own crew, not strangers hired for the day.
Repairs sized to the problem
If a cracked block wall needs a few rows rebuilt, that's what we quote, not a whole new wall.
A straight no when you don't need it
If your masonry is sound and the work isn't needed, I'll tell you so on the spot.
Your yard and the neighbor's protected
Paramount lots sit close together, so we protect your yard and your neighbor's side and haul the debris off when we finish.
Permits handled for you
If your job needs a permit, we pull it and handle the paperwork and inspections with the office that covers your address.
Questions from Paramount homeowners
How much does masonry work cost in Paramount, CA?
Each job is priced on its size, the material and the labor it takes, and I write your number myself after I've seen it. Brick and natural stone usually cost more than block, and a tight side yard, a footing that has to be dug or rebuilt, or mortar that has to be color matched all add labor. If the job needs a permit, that adds time to the schedule, and so does waiting on a special brick or stone.
Does a masonry contractor in Paramount need a California license?
Yes, if the job needs a building permit, the contractor uses workers, or labor and materials add up to $1,000 or more. The license comes from the Contractors State License Board, and a contractor has to hold it before bidding on your job, not just before starting. Anyone who bids your work, us included, should meet that rule.
Can a handyman do a small masonry repair in Paramount without a license?
Yes, if the whole job comes to less than $1,000, needs no building permit and the person doesn't hire workers. That total counts labor, materials and every other cost, even across more than one contract, and a bigger job can't be split into smaller ones to get under it. You can also do the work yourself on your own house without a contractor license, though that covers the license and nothing else the job may need.
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Paramount?
The City of Paramount is the place to ask, both whether your job needs a permit and which building code is in force there. The state keeps a list of local changes to the building code, and Paramount has one on file, so the city's version may not match the state's word for word. If your job does need a permit, we take care of it, as noted above.
How do I check if my Paramount address is in an earthquake hazard zone?
Type your address into the state's EQ Zapp tool, which shows whether the property sits inside any mapped earthquake hazard zone. The state's rules for building in those zones don't apply to a single-family frame house of up to two stories that isn't part of a development of four or more units. Local agencies can be stricter than the state, though, so a city rule may still apply, which is one more thing to ask the city about.
What causes cracks in block and brick walls in Paramount yards?
Most cracks we see come from the footing moving, tree roots, water soaking the base, or something hitting the wall, like a car or a swinging gate. Long walls built without enough steel inside can also lean or crack over time. I look for the cause before I quote, because patching a crack without fixing what made it usually brings it back.
Working near Paramount? Give us a call
We work across Compton and the cities around it. Pick your city below, or call (562) 232-8311 if yours isn't listed.
Ask R&S for a Paramount masonry estimate
Call (562) 232-8311 as early as 6 AM or as late as 11 PM on weekdays, or send the form any time.