Masonry contractor in Moorhead, MN - Brick, stone and block work that fits your house
Masoncraft Fargo Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Fargo and working across the river in Moorhead, MN. We repair older brick, stone and block, fix tired chimneys and build new walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens.
Masonry work in Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead sits on the Minnesota side of the Red River, right across from Fargo, so working here is about as close for us as working at home. As a masonry contractor in Fargo, ND, we bring the same crew to Moorhead that we take to Fargo and West Fargo, and I'm on the job with them.
The houses here run from older brick and block homes in the neighborhoods closer to downtown to newer houses farther out with stone veneer fronts and paver drives. On the older ones, I'm usually called about crumbling joints, tired chimneys and basement walls that have moved, and the repair has to match mortar and brick that have been in place for decades. Under all of it is heavy clay ground that holds water and moves as it wets and dries, and that decides how deep we dig and how much base goes under anything we build.
What we do for Moorhead homes
Foundation repair
When a basement wall in an older Moorhead house cracks or bows, we find out why first, since patching a crack that's still moving only hides it.
Chimney repair
Older chimneys here often have loose brick and a cracked crown, the concrete cap on top, and we rebuild only what's failed so the stack still matches.
Tuckpointing
Sandy joints on older Moorhead brick let water in, so we cut them out and refill with mortar softer than the brick, which protects the brick itself.
Brick repair
A few flaking or cracked bricks on a Moorhead house rarely mean a teardown, so we swap the bad ones for brick that matches in color and texture.
Driveway pavers
Pavers cope with shifting clay better than one big slab, because a section that sinks can be lifted and reset instead of torn out.
Retaining wall construction
Where a backyard steps down to a walkout or patio, we build retaining walls with drainage gravel behind them, since wet clay pushing from behind tips walls over.
Masonry restoration
On Moorhead's older brick and stone houses, restoration means gentle cleaning, repointing and repair, so the house still looks its age rather than patched.
Fireplace installation
In a Moorhead family room or basement, a new masonry fireplace starts with where the chimney can run, so we plan that with you before laying a brick.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, a thin facing of stone, is common on newer Moorhead fronts, and we set it over a drainage layer so water doesn't sit behind it.
Concrete block walls
Block makes solid garage, shed and garden walls on Moorhead lots, and we set it on a footing, the concrete base underneath, sized for the ground here.
Foundation block wall installation
If an old Moorhead basement wall is past repair, or you're building an addition, we lay new block foundation walls, reinforced and sealed on the outside.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Newer Moorhead backyards often have room for an outdoor kitchen, and we build the counters and grill surround in brick, block or stone on a solid base.
Walkway construction
We build front walks and garden paths in brick, stone or pavers over a dug and packed base, so they sit flat on heavy soil rather than rocking underfoot.
Brick wall installation
On Moorhead's brick houses, a new garden wall or addition gets brick and mortar picked to suit what's there, so the new work looks like it belongs.
Stone masonry
Stone turns up on older steps, porches and foundations around Moorhead, and we repair or build with it, laying and pointing it the way the old work was done.
Brick pointing
Where only some joints on a Moorhead house have worn, we refill just those, and I'll tell you plainly if the whole wall doesn't need doing yet.
Talk to us about your masonry
Call (701) 566-7317 or send a request, and I'll come look at the job and write the estimate myself.
Why Moorhead homeowners call us
You'll deal with me from the first visit to the last joint, and I'll explain what I'd do and why before you agree to any of it.
Repairs that suit old brick
We match mortar strength and color to the house, so new joints don't wear out the old brick around them.
Honest advice on what can wait
If the joints are fine for a few more years, I'll tell you so rather than sell you a full job.
Permits sorted out first
I check with the City of Moorhead before we start and do the paperwork if a permit's needed.
Licensed, insured, guaranteed
We're licensed and insured, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Mason-trained, in business since 2017
I started the business in 2017 after learning the trade beside an experienced mason in the Fargo area.
Moorhead masonry questions
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Moorhead, MN?
You may, so I check with the City of Moorhead before we start instead of guessing. The city requires a building permit before work begins on anything its building code regulates, and the examples on its permit guide are things like roofing, siding, windows and finishing a basement, so masonry isn't spelled out either way. If your job needs one, we handle the paperwork and tell you what we found.
How do I get my own building permit as a homeowner in Moorhead?
If you live in the house, the city lets you get a permit for any construction on it without hiring a contractor, and you're held to the same laws and ordinances a contractor would be. You can email your application to BuildingCodes@moorheadmn.gov, and for a small alteration a sketch or drawing to scale may be enough. The city's building permits page lists what to send.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Moorhead?
Call the city's Building Codes office at 218.299.5424, because it takes inspection requests by phone, not by email or an inspector's voice mail. Inspections you schedule before 3 pm on a weekday can generally happen the same day.
Do I need a city permit for a paver driveway or walkway in Moorhead?
You might, since the city lists a Driveway & Sidewalk permit among its engineering permits, separate from building permits. Lawn Grade and Right-of-way Excavation permits are on the same list, which matters if the work changes your yard's grade or digs into the strip along the street. I check which ones apply before we dig.
Does a garden wall or fence need a permit in Moorhead?
A fence in a residential district can go up to the property line and doesn't need a permit unless it's taller than 7 feet, under the city's fence rules. A masonry garden wall may not be treated the same as a fence, so I ask the city about your wall before we build. The city also asks owners to check for easements and to call Gopher State One Call to have utilities located.
How much does masonry repair cost in Moorhead, MN?
There's no single price, because the cost comes down to how much brick, block or stone is involved, how much old work has to come out first and how hard the materials are to match. Height and access, like a tall chimney, add time, and the schedule mostly turns on the size of the job and whether a permit is needed. I'll come out, look at your job and write you an estimate.
Other cities we work in
Pick another city from the list, or call (701) 566-7317 if yours isn't there, since we also work in the cities around these.
Get a masonry estimate in Moorhead
Our hours run into the evening every day, so call (701) 566-7317 after work or send the form whenever it suits you.