Masonry Contractor in Alabaster, AL - Brick Repair and Walls Built to Stay Put
Caliber Hoover Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Hoover, AL. We work in Alabaster repointing and repairing brick, building retaining walls, walks and drives, and setting block and stone for homeowners.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Masonry work on Alabaster homes and yards
Most of what we see in Alabaster is subdivision houses with brick fronts and block foundations. Many sit on lots that were graded into a slope when the neighborhood went in. There are also older houses in the city's first neighborhoods, where the mortar has had decades to wear. It's a short drive down from Hoover, and we do the same kind of work next door in Helena and Pelham.
The price here mostly follows how much has to come out and how much digging your lot needs. The schedule turns on whether the city wants a permit first. I come out, look at the job and give you your own figure in person. On the newer houses the brick is usually fine and the real work is at the ground, holding back fill or keeping a drive from settling. On the older ones it's matching the mortar so a repair blends in with the wall around it.
What we build and fix in Alabaster
Foundation repair
When a block foundation on a graded lot starts to crack or bow, we find what's pushing on it before we fix the wall.
Explore Foundation repairChimney repair
On Alabaster's brick houses, a loose crown or open joints let water into the chimney, so we fix the top before damage works down.
Explore Chimney repairTuckpointing
We grind out worn mortar on the older homes here and pack in new mortar close in color, so the wall stays tight.
Explore TuckpointingBrick repair
A few cracked or flaking bricks on a brick front can usually be cut out and replaced with a close match instead of rebuilding.
Explore Brick repairDriveway pavers
Pavers suit the sloped drives in many subdivisions here because we build the base to drain and can lift and reset a sunken section.
Explore Driveway paversRetaining wall construction
Graded yards here often need a wall to hold fill, so we build ours with drainage behind it so water can't push it over.
Explore Retaining wall constructionMasonry restoration
For the city's older brick and stone houses, we bring back worn walls, steps and trim so the repair fits what was already there.
Explore Masonry restorationFireplace installation
Adding a masonry fireplace to a newer house usually means planning the firebox, chimney and footing together, and I walk you through each first.
Explore Fireplace installationStone veneer installation
Thin stone veneer can dress up a plain block foundation on a subdivision home, and we set it over backing that lets water drain.
Explore Stone veneer installationConcrete block walls
Block walls work well along property lines and lower yard terraces here, and we fill and reinforce them so they stay straight.
Explore Concrete block wallsFoundation block wall installation
For additions and new builds in Alabaster, we set foundation block on a level, solid footing, because every row above depends on it.
Explore Foundation block wall installationOutdoor kitchen masonry
Plenty of backyards here have room for an outdoor kitchen, and we build the block base, counter and grill surround to stay level.
Explore Outdoor kitchen masonryWalkway construction
A walk from the drive to the front door is a common call here, and we slope it slightly so water runs off.
Explore Walkway constructionBrick wall installation
A new brick entry or garden wall should look like part of the house, so we pick brick and mortar close to yours.
Explore Brick wall installationStone masonry
Natural stone steps, borders and wall caps hold up on sloped yards when they're laid on a packed base instead of loose dirt.
Explore Stone masonryBrick pointing
Pointing fills joints worn shallow, and on a house that's otherwise sound it's often the only work needed right now.
Explore Brick pointing
What Alabaster homes and yards ask of masonry
I learned this trade on a city crew, where work had to pass inspection and someone else lived with it for years. We bring that to Alabaster homes, take our time on the parts you won't see, and explain what you're paying for before we start.
One person from estimate to finish
I come to your property to look at the job and give the estimate myself, then I work on site alongside our crew until it's done.
Repairs that fit what's already there
On an older house we match mortar color and strength to the brick around it, because mortar harder than the brick can crack the brick it's meant to protect.
Straight answers on what can wait
I walk you through what the job needs and why before we start, and I'll tell you plainly if part of it can safely wait.
Get a free on-site estimate for your Alabaster project
Tell us your address, what you're seeing or planning, and a good time to reach you, and we'll reply within one business day. I come out to give the estimate in person, free and with no obligation.
Alabaster masonry questions we hear
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Alabaster, AL?
City guidance says a permit is typically required for structural remodeling and moving walls, while minor repairs may not need one. The City of Alabaster's Building Official issues permits for work that builds, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves or tears down a building. Before we start, we check with the city's building department about your job, and when a permit is required we handle it with them.
When does a contractor need an Alabaster business license?
A contractor needs a city business license whenever it does service, repair or installation work in Alabaster, even if it's based somewhere else. If the job also calls for a state certification or a permit, the business has to have that before the city will issue its license.
Does a masonry contractor need a state license to work on my house in Alabaster?
For many home jobs, yes. State law covers work on a house of up to three floors and four units that someone else lives in when the job costs more than $10,000, and the city won't issue permits for accessory structures, renovations or new homes without certification from the state Home Builders Licensure Board unless the owner is acting as their own contractor. Owners who build or improve a one- or two-family home they'll live in, not sell, can do that if they supervise all the work themselves. We're licensed and insured.
How do I find out if my house in Alabaster is in a floodplain?
Look up your address on the state's AlabamaFlood tool, which shows FEMA flood maps by address or county. It matters for building because, in most cases, the city requires a structure in Flood Hazard Zone A to have its finished floor at least one foot above the mapped flood level. It's worth checking before you plan an addition or a new foundation.
Do I need an erosion control plan to build a retaining wall in Alabaster?
If the job needs a permit and involves digging, grading or filling, yes, because city code requires an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan before it issues any permit for work that may erode soil. A retaining wall usually moves a fair amount of dirt, so I look at where that soil will go and how your yard drains when I come out.
What causes masonry repair costs to vary in Alabaster?
Most of the price comes from the size of the job, how much wall or base has to come out, the brick or stone you choose and how hard the spot is to reach. A sloped yard that needs extra digging, older brick that's hard to match and a permit can all add to it, while repointing a sound wall usually costs less than rebuilding one. I'll give you your own figure after I've seen the job.
More cities near you, or just call
Pick another city below to see what we do there, or call (205) 236-6688 if yours isn't listed, since we work across the Birmingham area.