Foundation repair
When a footing or foundation wall has cracked or settled, we find what moved it, usually water or soil, before repairing the masonry so the crack doesn't just reopen.
Masonry contractor in San Bernardino, CA - repairs that match what's there
Superior Yucaipa Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor working in San Bernardino. We repair brick and block so it matches what's already there, and we plan walls, walkways and other hardscape before anyone digs.
How masonry work goes in San Bernardino
San Bernardino covers a lot of ground, and the calls I get from here are as mixed as the houses. We see older brick and block that needs its mortar redone, block walls between yards that have cracked or started to lean, and newer homes where someone wants a wall, a walkway or a paver driveway laid out right the first time. As a masonry contractor based in Yucaipa, CA, we work here the same way we do in Highland and out in Calimesa.
The price mostly moves with the size of the job, how much old work has to come out, how easy it is to get material to the spot and how closely new brick or mortar has to match the old. The schedule turns on the permit side, since bigger projects can need plans reviewed by the city before a permit is issued, sometimes drawn by a California registered architect or engineer, and on how long it takes to find a good match. I come out, look at it and write the estimate myself, and you get it in writing with the work and the materials spelled out. On sloped lots and around older walls, the ground and what's behind the wall usually decide the job more than the brick does, so that's where I look first.
We check the permit side first
The city's Building and Safety Division issues permits for structural work, so I check what your job needs. If it needs one, we handle the paperwork and inspections and flag anything you need to sign.
What the city asks of contractors
The city issues permits to contractors who show the right state license, a current city business license and, with employees, workers' comp. We're licensed and insured, and it's fair to ask anyone for that.
We find the cause before fixing
A crack or crumbling joint usually has a reason, like water, a weak footing or soil pushing behind a wall. We find it first, because a repair that skips the cause just shows up again.
Masonry work we do in San Bernardino
Chimney repair
Loose bricks, open joints and a cracked crown at the top of a chimney let water in, so we rebuild what's failing and match the brick that's staying.
Tuckpointing
We grind out worn mortar joints to an even depth and refill them with mortar close in color and strength to the original, so the wall stays sound and looks consistent.
Brick repair
Cracked, chipped or loose bricks get cut out and replaced with brick matched in size, color and texture, so the repair blends in instead of standing out.
Driveway pavers
A paver driveway holds up when the base under it is dug deep and packed well, so we put most of the effort there before laying and locking the pavers in.
Retaining wall construction
We plan the wall around the slope, the soil and where water will go, with drainage behind it, because pressure and trapped water are what push most retaining walls over.
Masonry restoration
For older brick and stone that's worn, stained or patched over the years, we repair, repoint and clean it carefully so it keeps the look it was built with.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces with a proper firebox, hearth and surround, laid out to fit the room and the chimney, and we go over each choice with you before work starts.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer only looks right for years when the wall behind it is prepared properly, so we get the surface and its water barrier right before setting stone with tight, even joints.
Concrete block walls
Block walls between yards are a common call here. We build new ones on a solid footing and repair sections that have cracked, leaned or lost their cap.
Foundation block wall installation
We lay block foundation walls on a footing sized for the job, with steel and grout where the wall needs them, so it carries the load above it evenly.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the masonry for grills, counters and bars in block, brick or stone, planned with room for the gas, water and power lines your other trades will run.
Walkway construction
Walkways in brick, pavers or stone go down on a packed base with a slight slope for water, so they stay level and don't become a tripping spot later.
Brick wall installation
New brick walls, from low garden walls to entry columns, are built on a footing sized for the wall, with brick chosen to suit your house and what's around it.
Stone masonry
We set natural stone for walls, steps, columns and planters, fitting each piece by hand so the joints stay tight and the weight sits where it should.
Brick pointing
When only some joints have opened up, we point them before water gets behind the brick, which keeps a small fix from turning into a bigger one.
Get a written masonry estimate in San Bernardino
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I come out, look at the job and give you a free written estimate, with no obligation to go ahead.
I come out myself
I look at the job and write the estimate myself, so the person pricing your work is the same one checking it on site while our masons build it.
Work and materials spelled out
The written estimate lists the work and the materials, so you can compare it fairly with other bids and know what you're agreeing to before you say yes.
Ask as many questions as you like
I'd rather spend extra time going over your choices than have you sign off on work you don't follow, so ask anything, and ask it twice if you need to.
San Bernardino masonry questions we hear
Here are practical questions San Bernardino homeowners often ask about permits, walls and hiring a masonry contractor from outside the city.
Do I need city approval to build a block wall in San Bernardino?
Yes, at least for zoning, because the city's Planning Division has to approve the plans for every fence and wall. The city's building-permit exemption for fences up to 7 feet covers only non-masonry fences, so a block or brick wall doesn't fall under it. I check what your wall needs before we start, and we handle the paperwork and inspections.
Does a retaining wall in San Bernardino need a permit?
The city exempts a retaining wall from a building permit only when it's 4 feet or less from footing bottom to wall top and isn't holding up added load, like a driveway or slope above it, or holding back certain liquids. It still needs the zoning approval every wall does, and I check what yours needs before we dig.
Can a homeowner get a building permit for their own house in San Bernardino?
In most cases, yes, for a one or two-family home or its accessory structure, as long as you live there or plan to, can show proof of that and do the work yourself. You'd also sign a statement that you won't employ anyone in a way covered by California workers' comp laws. If you hire us, we handle the permit paperwork instead.
Does a contractor based outside San Bernardino need a city business license to work there?
Yes. Anyone doing business in the city, directly or indirectly, needs a city registration certificate unless a state or federal law exempts them, and that includes contractors based elsewhere who come in to work. The city may charge outside contractors a flat rate it sets, so it's worth making sure whoever you hire has that in order.
Cities we serve for masonry work
Besides San Bernardino, we work in the cities listed here and others around Yucaipa. If yours isn't on the list, call or send the form and just ask.
Tell us about your masonry project
We answer the phone from 7 AM to 10 PM every day, so call (909) 768-8021 or send the form whenever it suits you.