Masonry contractor in Orinda, CA - careful brick, stone and block work
Allied Alameda Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Alameda that works in Orinda, repointing and repairing brick, fixing chimneys, and building retaining walls, walkways, stone veneer and outdoor kitchens for homes here.
What we build in Orinda. And what we repair.
Foundation repair
If a foundation crack is widening or doors start sticking, we find the cause before we patch anything.
Chimney repair
When bricks work loose or the concrete cap on top cracks, we repair the chimney so it keeps water out.
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing replaces worn mortar and finishes the new joints with a fine contrasting line, the traditional look on some older brick fronts.
Brick repair
We cut out cracked, flaking or loose bricks and replace them with brick that matches, so the repair blends in.
Driveway pavers
When an old driveway has cracked through, pavers on a well-packed base give you a surface that holds its level.
Retaining wall construction
Where a slope needs holding back, we build retaining walls with drainage behind them, because trapped water is what pushes walls over.
Masonry restoration
For older brick or stone that has weathered badly, we restore it with materials that match, so it ages with the house.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces sized to the room and the chimney, when you're adding one or replacing one that has cracked.
Stone veneer installation
Want the look of stone on a house wall? Veneer gives it, and we're careful with the water barrier behind.
Concrete block walls
For a sturdy wall along a property line, we lay concrete block on a proper footing, with steel where it's needed.
Foundation block wall installation
When a foundation wall has to be replaced or added, we build it in reinforced block, laid level from the start.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
If you're planning an outdoor kitchen, we build the counters, grill surround and base in brick, block or stone.
Walkway construction
A walkway that has lifted is a trip hazard. We rebuild it in brick, stone or pavers, sloped to shed rain.
Brick wall installation
We lay new brick garden and boundary walls, choosing brick and mortar so the wall sits well beside your house.
Stone masonry
Natural stone suits steps, walls and columns. We fit each piece by hand so the stone, not the mortar, carries the weight.
Brick pointing
If mortar is sandy or falling out, we rake out the joints and refill them before water gets into the wall.
How we run a job in Orinda. Permits start with the city.
When a job here needs a building permit, the city's planning department usually signs off on zoning first, and only then does the Contra Costa County building department issue the permit and inspect the work, so the paperwork often sets the start date. We handle the application and see the job through its inspections.
We're licensed and insured, and it's worth checking any contractor's state license and Orinda business registration before you hire. The price turns on the job's size, the brick or stone you choose and what we find once old work is opened up, which is why I look at it with you before giving a figure.
Planning masonry in Orinda? Tell us about the job.
Tell us what you're seeing and where, through the form or by phone. We reply within one business day, and my estimate is free, on site and with no obligation.
(510) 254-3205Masonry in Orinda should last. Rushed work doesn't.
Most masonry trouble usually comes back to water and the wrong materials. Mortar harder than the old brick makes the brick crack instead of the joint, a wall built without drainage behind it starts to lean, and a walkway laid on a thin base settles unevenly.
In older neighborhoods here, storm drains were usually laid in corrugated metal pipe, which corrodes over time, so before we build a wall or walkway that relies on drainage I look at where your water actually goes. Then we match the mortar to the brick and size the base or footing for the load it carries.
We work well beyond Orinda. Ask about your city.
We're based in Alameda and also work in Walnut Creek, Berkeley and the other cities listed here. If yours isn't listed, please call (510) 254-3205 and ask.
Questions about masonry work in Orinda. Plain answers below.
The answers below cover permits, licenses and old brick. If your question isn't here, please call and we'll talk it through.
Does a retaining wall in Orinda need a building permit?
A retaining wall taller than 3 feet needs a building permit in Orinda. The city also limits a wall to 4 feet within 10 feet of any property line or in the required yard setback, whichever is greater, and to 8 feet elsewhere. We check both at the estimate before we plan your retaining wall.
When does a masonry contractor need a California license?
A contractor needs a California license when a job needs a building permit, uses any additional workers or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials. That's the rule of the Contractors State License Board, and it takes in most masonry work, from a chimney repair to a new garden wall.
Do contractors have to register with the City of Orinda?
Yes, every business working in Orinda must get a city business registration certificate before it starts work there. Businesses taking in less than $10,000 a year from work in the city are exempt, though they may still register, so it's a fair question to ask anyone you're thinking of hiring.
Can old brick on my house be repointed instead of replaced?
Usually, yes, because when the bricks are sound only the worn mortar needs replacing. We replace just the joints and leave the original brick in place, which is the work we're best known for. Where a brick has cracked through, we swap it for a match as part of brick repair.
Have masonry that needs a look? Call us to set a visit.
Small cracks are simpler to fix before water works into them, so tell us what you've noticed and we'll set a time for me to come look.
Mon–Fri: 6 AM–10 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–11 PM
