When you own a home, there are some tasks that you know you can easily DIY, while there are others that you never should try on your own. Electrical work is a pretty obvious example of something that requires a professional, but if you’re looking to have masonry repair work done on your property, you should find a specialist to complete these jobs as well. As you settle into the work of finding a great masonry contractor for your home improvement project, remember to ask each of them about these three things.
Are You Licensed, Certified, Insured, and Experienced?
Masons are required to hold a general contractor’s license and certifications from the MCAA. Ask your potential contractors to provide you with details about their licenses and certifications. Even with these, not all masons are created equal. When you ask about their certifications, also ask about their experience with your specific type of project or material, especially when it is something other than the standards, like brick. If they don’t have any, or their experience is very limited, you may be better off with a different mason. Finally, ask to see proof of insurance so you know that any mistakes or accidents will not fall on your homeowner’s insurance.
What Is The Project Timeline?
When you ask about the project timeline, they should be able to give you details on how they expect the whole thing to go. This includes not only how long they expect it to take, but what the payment schedule will be like, who will secure the building materials, and what clean-up will happen afterward. You should also ask what, if anything, they need you to do to prepare for the work, so you have a reasonable expectation of your responsibilities. Don’t settle for just an estimate of weeks till completion, push for details.
Can You Provide References?
Asking for references is a must when you’re deciding on any contractor, but those references are only worthwhile if you follow up and actually talk to them. Call the names that your potential contractor supplies and ask about their satisfaction with the project. You should also ask about how the contractor adhered to the intended timeline and any issues that came up. In addition to references, you could also ask the contractors for the addresses of any current masonry projects that you could visit so that you can see the work that they do, in-progress.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our latest exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Many people like the aesthetic of painted brick for the exterior structures. Painting your brick gives it an even texture and color. Also, painted brick gives it a protective coating against the elements and erosion. But if you have decided that you want to paint your brick then here are a few steps to take to make sure that it is done successfully.
