Masonry Contractor in Long Beach, CA - Brick and Block Work Built to Last
Caliber Lakewood Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Lakewood, CA, working across Long Beach. We repair cracked block walls and tired chimneys, and we build retaining walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens in brick, block and stone.
- The owner comes out I come out and look at your job myself.
- One small crew The same small crew I work alongside does the work.
- Straight answers If your wall is fine, I'll tell you so.
- Built to hold up We take our time so the work lasts for years.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Masonry work for Long Beach homes
Caliber Lakewood Concrete and Masonry does masonry work in Long Beach, and most calls here are about a cracked wall, a tired chimney or a yard project that's been put off long enough. The city says some areas can flood in a major rainstorm, so we look at where water goes before building.
What Long Beach asks before a masonry job starts
In Long Beach, the city's Development Permit Center issues building permits, and the city says most work on a house needs a permit and inspections, repairs included, though its building official can exempt some minor jobs. When a job needs one, nothing starts until it's issued, so the permit usually sets the start date more than the weather does. The city only issues permits to a contractor with a California contractor's license and an active Long Beach business license, so ask any mason for both.
I find out which office handles permits for your address, and if your job needs one, we get it before any work starts so you're not left with a half-built wall and an inspector at the gate. It's the same routine on jobs up in Anaheim and at home in Lakewood, where we're based, though every city's counter has its own way of doing things.
Price here turns on how long and tall the work is, whether it's brick, block or stone, how much old work comes out first, and how hard it is to get material into your yard. Matching old brick takes some hunting, and old mortar rarely comes out as easily as you'd hope. I'll go through all of it at your estimate and give you your own number.
Jobs we take on in Long Beach
- Cracked garden and property line block walls
- Retaining walls and planters, with the permit question settled
- Brick repair on older homes in historic districts
- Drainage behind walls in spots that hold water
- Debris bins placed on your lot when there's room
Masonry services we offer in Long Beach
Long Beach has a mix of older brick homes, stucco houses and block-fenced yards, so the work below runs from fixing what's tired to building what's been put off.
Foundation repair
When a crack in a stem wall or slab edge keeps growing, foundation repair starts with finding out why before we patch anything.
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here often need a new crown and tight joints, which is most of our chimney repair work.
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing replaces worn mortar on brick walls and planters before water gets behind it and loosens the brick.
Brick repair
We cut out cracked or flaking bricks on older homes and match the old ones closely through brick repair.
Driveway pavers
Driveway pavers suit the narrow driveways on many Long Beach lots, since one sunken section can be lifted and reset.
Retaining wall construction
Yards with a grade change get retaining wall construction with drainage behind it, so the wall isn't holding back wet soil.
Masonry restoration
For brick and stone that's been patched for decades, masonry restoration brings back the original look with matched mortar.
Fireplace installation
We plan each fireplace installation around the room it sits in and how it vents, indoors or out on the patio.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer installation gives a plain stucco wall or chimney the look of stone without the weight of full stone.
Concrete block walls
Many side and back yards here are fenced with block, and concrete block walls are a job we build and repair often.
Foundation block wall installation
Foundation block wall installation gives a room addition or garage a solid base laid on a proper footing.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Long Beach backyards get a lot of use, and outdoor kitchen masonry gives you a grill counter built from block and stone.
Walkway construction
Front walks lifted by tree roots are common on older streets, and walkway construction replaces them with a flat, solid path.
Brick wall installation
Brick wall installation fits older homes where a new wall should look like it was always part of the house.
Stone masonry
With stone masonry, we lay natural stone for garden walls, steps and planters that hold up in the yard for years.
Brick pointing
Brick pointing touches up worn joints on a brick front or chimney while the rest of the mortar is still sound.
How a masonry job runs when you call us in Long Beach
From your first call to the last swept joint, you deal with me and the same small crew, and you know what's next at each step.
Call or send the form
Call (562) 249-2437 or send the form with a few words about the job. I come out to see it myself and ask what you want.
Get your estimate on site
I go over what I found and give you an estimate that spells out the work, so you can compare it fairly with anyone else's.
We handle the permit, then build
If you go ahead, we get any permit your address needs before starting. Then the small crew I work alongside does the work.
Walk the finished job together
When we're done, we clean up and I walk the job with you, so you can look it over and ask questions before we pack up.
Why Long Beach homeowners call our crew
The owner sizes up your job
I come out to look at each job myself, so the person judging your wall has laid plenty of them.
Told straight if it's fine
If your wall or chimney doesn't need work, I'll say so, because selling you a repair you don't need helps nobody.
Drainage checked before we build
Low spots here can hold water after a big storm, so we check where it sits before laying any wall or walk.
Licensed in California and insured
We're licensed and fully insured, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee. Ask to see the paperwork at the estimate.
Get a free estimate for your Long Beach masonry job
Tell us your address and what's going on with the wall, chimney or yard project. We reply within one business day, and I come out for a free estimate on site with no obligation.
Examples of masonry work
Look through these examples of brick, block and stone work to get a feel for what might suit your house and yard.
Long Beach masonry questions
These are the questions Long Beach homeowners ask us most about walls, permits and cost. If yours isn't here, call or send the form and ask about your own job.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Long Beach?
The city says a retaining wall or planter box no more than 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, doesn't need a building permit. That exemption doesn't cover a wall holding back sloping ground or extra weight above it, such as a driveway, or any wall on a slope steeper than 1 foot of rise in 5 feet across. I'll tell you which side of that line your wall falls on when I come out.
When does a masonry contractor need a state license in California?
The Contractors State License Board requires a license when the job needs a building permit, uses any additional workers, or when labor and materials on the project add up to $1,000 or more. On almost any wall, chimney or paver job, that means you should be hiring a licensed contractor, and we're glad to show you ours.
How do I get my own permit for masonry work on my Long Beach house?
Long Beach lets you get a permit and do construction, alteration or repair on your own house and its accessory buildings, like a garage or shed, as long as you live there or will live there. The city limits owner permits to certain kinds of dwellings, so check with the permit center before you count on it. If you'd rather skip the paperwork, we get the permit as part of the job.
How much does masonry work cost in Long Beach?
It comes down mostly to the size of the job and the material, and a few Long Beach things can add to it. A permit, when the job needs one, adds cost and time, and houses in a historic district or coastal zone can face extra requirements under the city's zoning rules. Matching old brick on an older home also takes more hunting than buying new, and I'll price all of it for your job when I come out.
What causes block walls to crack in Long Beach yards?
Most cracked block walls we look at come from a footing that's too small or too shallow, water soaking the ground under it, or tree roots pushing from one side. Spots that hold water after a big storm usually make it worse, so when we rebuild, we fix the drainage along with the wall.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster during a masonry job in Long Beach?
Only if it sits in the street or on the sidewalk, because the city requires a Public Works permit for a dumpster in the public right-of-way. You apply at the Public Works counter in the permit center at City Hall, but a bin on your own property, like your driveway, needs no Public Works permit. When there's room, we put the bin on your lot and keep it simple.
Other cities we work in
We work across the cities around Lakewood, so pick yours below to see how we work there, or give us a call if you don't see it.
Call about your Long Beach masonry job
We're open seven days a week until 9 PM, so call (562) 249-2437 or send the form whenever it suits you.