Masonry is one of those trades where the quality of the work isn't obvious for months. A sloppy repointing job can look fine in March and start failing by the following winter. That delay is exactly why choosing carefully matters. If you're searching for masonry contractors near me, here's a vetting process that has saved a lot of homeowners a lot of money.
Confirm the basics before anything else
- Insurance. Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation. Masonry involves heights and heavy material; you do not want an uninsured fall happening on your property.
- Local track record. A contractor who has worked in Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and the surrounding towns understands our brick stock and our winters. Ask how long they've worked in the area.
- References you can actually see. Photos are nice; addresses of past jobs you can drive past are better. Look at work that's a few winters old, not just last month's.
Read the estimate like a pro
A serious estimate is specific. It should state which elevations are being worked on, how deep the joints will be ground out, what type of mortar will be used, how many bricks (if any) are being replaced, and how access will be handled. Vague one-line quotes — "tuckpoint the house, $X" — make it impossible to compare bids and easy to be surprised later.
"How will you match the existing mortar?" A knowledgeable mason will talk about color, joint profile and mortar hardness. If the answer is just "we'll use standard mortar," keep looking — the wrong mortar can damage historic brick.
Red flags worth walking away from
- Door-to-door solicitation claiming they "noticed your chimney from the street."
- Pressure to decide today, or a discount that vanishes if you don't sign now.
- Cash-only, no written contract, no proof of insurance.
- A bid dramatically lower than everyone else's — it usually means a thinner, faster job that won't last.
- "We have leftover material from a job down the street." This is a classic traveling-scam line.
Get more than one bid — but don't shop on price alone
Three estimates is a healthy number. Compare scope, not just totals. When the numbers are close, the deciding factors are communication, references and how thoroughly they assessed your walls. Reputable local outfits — RJ Tuckpointing is one example homeowners often vet — will give you a written, itemized estimate and explain their approach without pressure. That transparency is itself a good sign.
Trust the slow signals
The contractor who climbs up, actually inspects the joints, and tells you that part of your wall is fine is usually more trustworthy than the one who quotes a full re-do over the phone. Good masons protect their reputation, because in a town this size, word travels.