Masonry contractor in Oakland, CA - brick and stone work that suits the house
Allied Alameda Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Alameda that repairs and builds brick, stone and block work for Oakland homeowners, from repointing old mortar joints to new walls, walkways and chimney repairs.
Sixteen services in Oakland. Each one explained before we start.
Foundation repair
Where brick or block foundation walls have cracked or crumbled, we repair the masonry and tell you what caused it.
Chimney repair
Loose bricks, a cracked crown or worn mortar let water into a chimney. We rebuild what's failing and keep what's sound.
Tuckpointing
If joints have sunk back from the brick or crumble under a fingernail, we rake out the old mortar and refill them.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks are cut out and replaced with brick matched as closely as we can in size and color.
Driveway pavers
A paver driveway suits a house where poured concrete would look out of place, and single pavers can be lifted and reset.
Retaining wall construction
Where a slope needs holding back, we build retaining walls with drainage behind them so water doesn't push them over.
Masonry restoration
Where years of patching have left a brick face mismatched, we restore it with mortar and brick that suit the house's age.
Fireplace installation
We build new masonry fireplaces and rebuild worn fireboxes, following the maker's instructions for any insert or liner that goes inside.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, a thin stone facing over an existing wall, gives the look of stone where a full stone wall isn't practical.
Concrete block walls
Block suits sturdy yard and property-line walls. When yours has cracked or leans, we'll tell you whether to repair or rebuild.
Foundation block wall installation
When a foundation wall needs replacing or an addition needs a new one, we lay the block to the approved plans.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Counters, grill surrounds and oven bases in brick, block or stone, built for an outdoor kitchen you'll actually cook in.
Walkway construction
If a front walk has heaved or cracked into a tripping hazard, we rebuild it in brick, stone or pavers.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden walls, planters and boundary walls, laid to match your house's brick and mortar when you'd like them to.
Stone masonry
Stone steps and walls built or repaired by hand, slower work than block but long-lasting when each stone is set well.
Brick pointing
Pointing fills open or missing mortar joints, often on a smaller area than tuckpointing, matched in color and joint shape.
Before we start in Oakland. Permits, licenses and a written scope.
In Oakland, building permits go through the city's Planning & Building department, which wants an approved recycling plan and summary report before it issues one, so permit work comes first in the schedule. You can check a contractor's state license with the Contractors State License Board and ask whether they hold an Oakland business license.
When your job needs a permit, we handle the application and the inspections. Price follows the size of the work, how easy it is to reach and how much old mortar or brick comes out, so I look first and send a written scope.
Tell us about your Oakland job. We'll come and take a look.
Send a few lines through the form about what you're seeing, or call (510) 254-3205. We reply within one business day, and the on-site estimate is free, with no obligation.
(510) 254-3205Why careful masonry matters in Oakland. Shortcuts show up later.
On an older brick house, the common mistake is repointing with mortar harder than the brick, so the brick takes the movement and starts to crack and flake at its face. Patches that don't match, walls built without drainage behind them and walks laid on a thin base all look fine for a while before they fail.
So I start by finding why the masonry failed, then choose mortar, brick and drainage that suit the house rather than whatever is quickest. If something can't be known until the old work comes out, I'll tell you that plainly before we go further.
We work beyond Oakland too. Ask us about your city.
We're based in Alameda and work in Berkeley, San Leandro and many other East Bay cities. If yours isn't listed below, call (510) 254-3205 and ask.
Questions before you hire. Answered for Oakland homes.
The answers below cover permits, licenses and payments for masonry work in Oakland. If your question isn't here, call us and I'll answer it.
Do I need a permit to build a retaining wall in Oakland?
Not always, because the city's list of work that needs no building permit includes retaining walls and fences, each within limits the city sets out. We'll talk through where your wall falls at the estimate, and if it needs a permit, we handle that as part of retaining wall construction.
When does a contractor need a state license in California?
The state licensing board requires one whenever a project needs a building permit, uses any additional workers or costs $1,000 or more in labor and materials across its contracts. A small job with no permit, no employees and under $1,000 combined can go without one, as long as the person doesn't advertise as a licensed contractor. We're licensed and insured.
How much of a down payment can a contractor ask for in California?
No more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less. That's the state licensing board's limit for home improvement projects in California, so it covers repairs and new masonry on your house.
Does a contractor based outside Oakland need an Oakland business license?
An undated city FAQ says a business located outside Oakland that does business in the city owes Oakland business tax. The same FAQ lists an initial $88.00 registration fee for the business tax certificate, so check the city's business tax and license page for current terms.
Have masonry that needs a look? Call or send us a note.
Tell us what you've noticed and where, and we'll set a time for me to come and look while a mortar problem is still only mortar.
Mon–Fri: 6 AM–10 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–11 PM
