Stone masonry in Fargo ND - new mortar and stone that suit your old walls
Crumbling joints, loose stones or a wall that's started to lean? We repair and build stone work that dries out and matches what's already there.
How do you fix crumbling stone joints and loose stones in Fargo?
Stone masonry in Fargo covers repairing older stone walls, steps and foundations and building new stone work. Most repairs start with repointing, where we cut out the worn mortar between the stones and pack in new. Done right, it keeps water from working into the wall and stops the joints from crumbling further.
Most calls start with sandy mortar falling out of the joints, a stone that's worked loose or a damp patch that keeps coming back. Often the real cause is water, like a downspout spilling against the wall, and new joints won't hold until that's fixed. The price turns on how much mortar has failed, how carefully old stone has to be worked and what it takes to stop the water, while the weather and any permit set the schedule. When a job may need a permit, we check with the city before we start. If your walls are brick, the same joint work is our brick pointing service, and either way your estimate spells out what we'd do and why.
What you get with our stone masonry crew
You get a mason who explains the reasons before asking you to agree, and stone work that suits the house it's on. Every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
I come out myself
I look at the wall and write the estimate, so the person who prices your job has actually seen it.
Our own crew, with me there
Our own crew does the stone work, and I'm on the job with them rather than checking in by phone.
Doing this work since 2017
I learned the trade beside an experienced mason in the Fargo area and started this business in 2017.
Licensed and insured, and glad to show it
You're welcome to ask to see our license and insurance before any work starts on your property.
Honest about what can wait
I'll explain why each part of the job matters, and tell you plainly when something doesn't need doing yet.
Kinds of stone masonry we take on
The right choice comes down to what's already there and what's wrong with it, so I look at the stone, the joints and the drainage before suggesting anything.
Let's look at your stone wall
Call or ask for an in-person estimate, and please have a few photos and the wall's rough size handy.
Why Fargo homeowners trust Masoncraft with stone masonry
When I look at your wall, I check the joints, the stones and how water reaches them, and I tell you what needs work now and what can wait. For the mortar, we choose one that lets the stone dry out, because moisture trapped in the wall ends up damaging the stone itself.
Much of our stone work is on older walls, steps and foundations, where the new work has to suit what's already there in color, joint width and finish. If the stone is shifting because the foundation under it is moving, I'll say so and point you to foundation repair first, since new joints won't fix a moving wall.
Stone masonry questions we hear
What does repointing a stone wall involve?
Repointing means removing the worn mortar from the joints of a stone wall and packing in fresh mortar. On older stone, national preservation guidance says hand chisels pose the least risk of damage in most cases, while a power grinder in unskilled hands can be disastrous. Hand work takes more labor, and on old stone I think it's usually worth paying for, because a chipped stone can't be put back.
How much does stone veneer cost in Fargo?
Stone veneer installation in Fargo usually costs about $2,500 to $9,000 per job. That's the going range in the area, not our price, and where a job lands depends on how much wall you're covering, the stone you pick and how much prep the wall needs. After I see the wall, your written estimate gives you the figure for your own job.
Do I need a permit for a stone retaining wall in Fargo?
Yes, the city's Inspections Department issues permits for building or changing a retaining wall more than 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. For other stone work the city's list doesn't settle it, so we check with the department before we start, handle the paperwork if a permit is needed and tell you what we found. If your home is in a historic district, the city's permitting portal also has a certificate of appropriateness application, so plan for that step too.
How do masons handle stone work in cold weather in Fargo?
Stone work can carry on into the colder months, but it takes extra steps. When it's between 40°F and 32°F, a masonry trade council's guidance has crews clear off ice and snow, heat the mixing water and cover the new masonry. We heat our mixing water and cover new work when a job runs into the cold, and you're welcome to ask how we'll handle it on yours.
How do I check if a masonry contractor is licensed in North Dakota?
Use the state's FirstStop contractor search, which shows whether a contractor is registered and whether the license is in good standing. North Dakota requires the person doing the work to hold a contractor license when a job costs more than $4,000, so it's worth checking any mason before you sign, us included.
What causes building stone to break down in a cold climate?
Water that soaks into stone and freezes is usually what breaks it down, which is why the stone and the mortar around it both matter. A recent research review calls durability a key factor in choosing stone for cold regions, and says ignoring it may lead to deterioration and a worn look over time. For new work, I'll talk through which stones suit a Fargo winter before you choose.
What happens when you call about stone masonry in Fargo?
Every stone job is planned around your wall and your schedule, and you'll know what we're doing and why before any work starts.
Call or send the form
Call (701) 566-7317 or send the form, and I'll answer or call you back to hear about the wall and set a visit.
I see the wall
I come out, look at the stones, the joints and the drainage with you, and answer your questions on the spot.
Your written estimate
You get a written estimate that explains what we'd do and why, so you can weigh it and decide in your own time.
The work and walkthrough
If you go ahead, we look into any permit, our crew works with me on site, and we walk the finished job with you before we pack up.
Stone masonry in Fargo and the cities nearby
We're based in Fargo and do stone work across the city, in Moorhead, West Fargo and the cities around them. Pick your area below or give us a call.
Get a stone masonry estimate in Fargo
Call (701) 566-7317 or send the form, and mention if your home is in a historic district so we can plan for that step.