Key Points:
- They are professionals who specialize in brickwork, stonework, and concrete, either for structural or decorative work.
- Experience is more valuable than licensing because Alberta does not require specific masonry licenses.
- Ask for more than one estimate to find out the prices of work and the range of fair price points.
- Whenever possible, get a written contract that protects you and provides certain expectations.
- Quality will cost more in the beginning, but save you on repairs in the long run.
Understanding Masonry Contractors and Their Role
Hiring a masonry contractor could contribute to your construction project’s success or failure. Whether your project entails building a new house, building a fireplace, building an outdoor living space, or making any addition with masonry work, you want to make sure that you hire masonry work done correctly, on time, and on budget.
What is a Masonry Contractor?
A masonry contractor is a professional who works with brick, stone, concrete, and mortar. Here in Calgary, a masonry contractor is one who provides brick and stone repairs, custom fireplaces, stone features, etc. They have also studied how Calgary’s freeze-thaw conditions apply to different materials, and what products can withstand Alberta’s weather.
Typical masonry contractors in Calgary do general masonry work that includes:
- Structural work – foundation walls, load-bearing walls, and reinforcement
- Decorative work – fireplaces, chimneys, and stone features
- Outdoor work – patios, walkways, and retaining walls
- Repair work – winter weather damage to masonry, and restoration of older masonry
Masonry contractors understand the impact of Calgary’s Chinook conditions on solid materials. The freeze-thaw cycles affect masonry work differently than other locations; most importantly, the dry climate must also be considered.
Reviewing Experience and Qualifications
What should you be looking at?
In Alberta, there are not required actual masonry licenses, so it is important to check experience and training. This means doing your own research before hiring anyone.
Three Pillars to Examine in the Selection Process:
- Years in Calgary: Search for contractors with a minimum of 5 -10 years.
- Local Portfolio: Ask for examples of what they have done here in Calgary.
- Calgary References: Make sure to call their customers from the local work they did recently.
- Winter Experience: Make sure they know what the Alberta conditions mean for their project.
Most important, ask for references, and actually call them! Ask about the quality of work, timing of project completion, and how they dealt with any problems. Don’t just read the online reviews – check verified customer reviews and talk to the real customers.
Training and Education
Good masonry contractors, have usually come from an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is four years long, and has a significant amount of blueprint reading, material science, and hands-on learning. In Alberta, you need the contractors themselves, or at least hourly journey persons who come out of an apprenticeship. Written proof of apprenticeship completion is a good practice.
Also, many Calgary contractors take additional training in different products and installation methods. The construction world is a tirelessly changing and good contractors will keep up to date on products that are applicable to our climate.
Professional Connections – Physical Demands
Industry Connections
Find out if your contractor has any industry connections. They may belong to a national organization like the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Local trade associations carry weight too, simply belonging to these shows they have a vested interest in industry standards and keeping in touch with as many tradespeople as they can in the industry.
Physical Demands
Masonry work is physically demanding. Lifting heavy loads, severe variations in job site conditions between day and night, and a steady hand for detail are all part of being a crafts person.
In Calgary, the temperature extremes we can see can be extremely taxing physically, especially in the winter months.
You want to be sure that the contractor you select employs craftspeople who are capable of the physical demands of the role. Ideally, a good crew would be a mix of experience and apprentice learning the trade.
Understanding Costs and Pricing
Obtaining Accurate Quotes
For you to obtain quotes, contractors must provide estimations with a visit to the site. Up here, soil conditions, access matters, and existing structures can affect pricing. A contractor who provides a quote over the phone cannot be trusted.
Written quotes should itemize costs of materials, labour, equipment, and cleanup. This will allow for comparative bids to be compared accurately. It also avoids surprise charges later.
How Contractors Price Work
Calgary masonry contractors will use different pricing methods based on the scope of work or job:
- Per square foot: common for large spaces or uniform surfaces (e.g., patios)
- Per unit: a common method of counting blocks and bricks
- Daily or hourly: use for repairs or uncertain scope
- Fixed: for well-defined projects.
Obtain at least three quotes. Big differences usually indicate that the contractors are pricing different scopes of work or using different materials. Generally, the cheapest contractor will cut corners.
Avoiding Problems and Poor Quality
Red Flags to Consider
Bad contractors will cost you money and headaches. Avoid the following:
- Door-to-door solicitations: legitimate contractors do not need to canvas for work
- No local references: unable to provide examples of recent Calgary work
- No insurance: puts you at risk for any injuries and damages
- Large up-front payments: insist on transferring money before work starts
- Nothing in writing: only estimates project – no project schedules to rely on.
Good Calgary contractors are busy making money through referrals and carry proper insurance, and can provide evidence of recent work completed in the Calgary area.
The Importance of Quality
Poor masonry work fails quickly in Calgary’s climate. Poor mortar joints allow water intrusion. When that water freezes, it damages whole structures. Poor foundations settle. Poorly built chimney construction and maintenance become potential fire hazards when done improperly.
Quality work has a higher initial cost, but lasts decades. Quality work adds value to your property, and provides you with peace of mind.
Contracts and Project Management
Once you choose your contractor, you should have a detailed written contract. A quality contract should include payment schedules, total costs, start and finish dates, and specifications for materials used in the project, as well as the available warranties.
You want your contract to specify exactly what quality masonry materials will be used. Some products Jones recommended for Calgary’s climate require a particular installation technique. Your contractor must be able to explain why they recommend certain materials for your project.
Most quality contractors will provide at least a solid warranty coverage of one year on workmanship. Material warranties come directly from manufacturers, but your contractor should help initiate warranty claims.
Payment Protection
Be conscious of structuring payments to protect yourself. Always have some amount to pay upfront, but not too much. A typical payment plan is a small down payment for materials, progress payments as work is completed, and the final payment after you are satisfied with the completed work.
If your contractor wants the majority of their money before starting or finishing work, you could have a problem.
Staying in contact
It is important for you and your contractor to schedule time to meet regularly to discuss the project while it is being completed. Quality contractors will expect and welcome any questions regarding their work. Quality contractors will also update you on problems or changes to the original scope of work if they happen.
Take written notes about all conversations. If you agree to changes, make sure you write down the new costs and timeline before they continue with any additional work.
Dealing with Calgary’s Climate
Seasonal Timing
Masonry work, especially outdoor masonry work, can involve seasonal timing and materials. The majority of outdoor masonry can be completed between May and October. The majority of contractors would rather complete outdoor masonry in the warmer months because they can control drying times. Any work completed in the Winter months will be more expensive and require more attention to precautions.
Your contractor should understand the effects of Chinook winds and how these winds affect curing times, and know which materials respond best to temperature swings. Your contractor should also help identify local suppliers and how readily available particular masonry products are.
Local Building Codes
Calgary has codes and requirements for foundation work, chimney construction, and possibly other masonry projects. The contractor will have to pull the permits and arrange inspections. The contractor should also have an understanding of soil conditions that are common in neighbourhoods in Calgary.
Making Your Final Selection
Choosing a masonry contractor can be a long process, but it is worth the effort. Your selection needs to be a contractor with sufficient experience in Calgary, solid local references, and proper insurance. Make sure you get written contracts and detailed estimates.
Do not just pick the contractor with the lowest price. Search for the best value, which is a combination of price, quality, and service. Remember that quality masonry work can last for decades with low maintenance costs and add value to your property.
The best quality contractors are booked out months in advance – often several months in advance – especially about popular time frames like spring and summer. Start searching well in advance of when you would like the work done, and be willing to wait for the right contractor, instead of going with the first one that is able to do it.
The cost of good masonry work will save you money through lower maintenance costs and added value to your finished property, and you will have confidence that the job was done right. Take your time researching contractors, checking their references, and ensuring everything is done in writing.
Your masonry project is an investment in your investment. A good contractor will want to make sure you have a lasting investment. Invest wisely. Find experienced Calgary masonry contractors that understand Calgary’s unique challenges and have the experience to deliver a project that will hold up.