Trade #masonry
Masonry Stacked, mortared, and built to outlast the freeze line.
Retaining walls, free-standing walls, chimneys, and structural repair. Every wall we build starts with a proper footing — the part that decides if it'll still be plumb in twenty years.
MMasonryTrade specialty
What we build
Masonry — what's included
Stone walls, retaining walls, chimney work, and structural repair. Every wall starts with the right footing and a drainage plan — that's the part most failed walls skip. We pull permits when the town requires one.
- Dry-laid and mortared stacked stone walls
- Engineered segmental retaining walls with proper backfill and drain tile
- Chimney rebuilds, crown caps, and flashing repair
- Stone cheek walls, columns, and mailbox pillars
Geotechnical surveys for walls over 4 ft retained height are sub'd to a licensed engineer — we coordinate the drawings and the build.
How we build it
Masonry — start to finish
The four stages we run on every masonry job. Same workflow whether it's a small fix or a full install.
1
Walk the site
We measure, check grade and drainage, and ask what you want the finished wall to do. Photos go in the file the same day.
2
Footing and base
Footing dug below the 36-inch frost line. Compacted base course of 3/4-inch clean for segmental walls; reinforced concrete footing for mortared.
3
Lay the wall
Stones picked for face, hearting tied in behind. Drain tile, gravel backfill, and filter fabric on the retained side as the wall comes up.
4
Cap and clean
Cap course mortared or pinned. Joints tooled, faces brushed, site swept. Walkthrough on the last day.
Questions homeowners ask
About masonry work
The four things people actually want to know before they sign an estimate.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
In most Bergen and Passaic County towns, walls over 4 feet of retained height need a permit and a stamped engineering drawing. Anything below that is usually permit-exempt but still has to meet setback rules. We check with your township before we quote.
How long does a stone wall last?
A properly footed dry-laid wall is a 50+ year structure. A mortared wall is similar provided drainage is correct. The failure mode is almost always water — freeze/thaw behind the wall — which is why we put as much work into drain tile and backfill as we do into the face.
Can you match a wall I already have?
Yes. We'll pull a stone from the existing wall to match material at the yard, and mortar joints are tooled to the same profile and color. The new section reads as part of the original wall, not a patch.
What's the price difference between dry-laid and mortared?
Dry-laid is typically 15–25% more labor per linear foot because the fit has to work without mortar. Mortared walls cost more in material (footing, rebar, mortar) but go faster in the field. Your estimate breaks the choice out so you can compare apples to apples.
Where we work
Masonry work across Bergen & Passaic County
11 towns under our regular service radius from the Garfield yard. Click any town for masonry specifics in that area.
Bergen County
7 townsWithin ~25 miles of Garfield. Not on the list? Call (973) 272-5869 — we cover a wider radius for bigger jobs.
Free Estimate
Ready to talk through your masonry project?
Tell us what you're building and we'll walk the site, check the substrate and drainage, and leave you a written estimate within 24 hours. No obligation, no surprise fees.
- Written estimate within 24 hours
- 5-year written workmanship warranty
- Licensed (NJ #13VH10343500), insured, family-owned
Or call for a fast quote(973) 272-5869