Masonry contractor in Piedmont, CA - brick and stone work done properly
Allied Alameda Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Alameda that repairs, repoints and builds brick, block and stone work for homeowners in Piedmont, CA, from chimneys and foundations to retaining walls and walkways.
What we do in Piedmont. Repairs, rebuilds and new work.
Foundation repair
When a brick or block foundation has cracked or settled, we find the cause before we repair or rebuild it.
Chimney repair
Loose bricks, a cracked cap or mortar falling onto the roof usually mean a chimney needs repair before water gets further in.
Tuckpointing
If joints have gone soft or sandy, we rake them out and refill them with color-matched mortar and a fine finished line.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks are cut out and replaced with brick matched to the old in size and color.
Driveway pavers
A paver driveway lasts as long as the base under it, so we dig out and pack that base before laying pavers.
Retaining wall construction
A retaining wall holds back soil where a yard slopes, and the drainage we build behind it decides how long it stands.
Masonry restoration
When older brick or stone is worn all over, we clean, repair and repoint it with methods suited to its age.
Fireplace installation
We build new masonry fireplaces and rebuild tired ones, with the firebox, hearth and surround laid to suit the room.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer gives a wall or chimney the look of solid stone, and the waterproof backing behind it keeps it sound.
Concrete block walls
Block walls suit boundaries, raised beds and yard structures where you want strength more than a decorative face.
Foundation block wall installation
If a section of foundation has to be rebuilt or a new one laid, we set reinforced block on a proper footing.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Counters, grill surrounds and pizza ovens in brick, block or stone, planned with you around how you actually cook outside.
Walkway construction
When a path has heaved or cracked, we rebuild it in brick, stone or pavers on a packed base laid to stay level.
Brick wall installation
New garden and boundary walls in brick, laid in a pattern and mortar color chosen to sit well beside the house.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone for walls, steps and facings, and match new stone to old where a wall has partly fallen.
Brick pointing
Where only a few joints have cracked, we repoint just those, matching the existing mortar so the repair doesn't stand out.
How we run a job in Piedmont. Permit first, then masonry.
The City of Piedmont issues building permits for most construction projects and repairs, and work that needs plans and review can take several weeks or months, so the permit often sets the start date. Only a licensed California contractor or an owner-builder can get one, and you can check any contractor's license with the state licensing board.
We're licensed and insured, and when a job needs a permit we handle the application and see it through the city's inspections. Price usually turns on how much has to come out and the brick or stone you choose, and I set that out in a written scope after my visit.
Planning masonry work in Piedmont? Tell us about the job.
Tell us what you're seeing, by form or phone. We reply within one business day, and I come out for a free on-site estimate with no obligation.
(510) 254-3205Why the method matters in Piedmont. Shortcuts show up later.
When old brick is repointed with mortar that's harder than the brick, the brick starts to crack and flake instead of the joint, and that damage can't be undone. A retaining wall with no drainage behind it can lean out as water builds up, and a walkway laid on a thin base usually sinks unevenly.
I look at the age of the brick and the old mortar and match the new mix to them, and on walls and paths we plan the base and drainage first. If something can't be known until it's opened, I tell you that at the estimate.
We work beyond Piedmont too. Ask about your city.
We're based in Alameda and do the same work in Oakland, Berkeley and many other cities around them, so please call if yours isn't listed below.
Questions about masonry in Piedmont. Plain answers below.
Read through the answers below on permits, licenses and working hours, and please call if your question isn't covered.
Does my masonry project need a permit in Piedmont?
Usually yes, because the city requires a building permit for most construction projects and repairs, and its list of work that needs no permit is short, covering things like painting, wallpapering and carpeting. Even exempt work has to follow the building codes and may still be inspected. At the estimate we'll talk through what the city may ask for.
Who can get a building permit in Piedmont?
Only a properly licensed California contractor, or a property owner acting legally as an owner-builder, can get a building permit in Piedmont. Applications are filed online now, not on paper or by email. Work done without a permit can bring a fine and the need to undo it.
Do walkways, patios and retaining walls need a permit in Piedmont?
Most do. The city's site improvement permit covers walkways, patios, retaining walls and site drainage, and most above-ground outdoor work needs design review first. A retaining wall up to 30 inches tall, from grade to top, is exempt unless it carries extra weight above it, though work that needs design review still needs a permit.
What hours can contractors work in Piedmont?
The city's building page allows construction Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We keep deliveries, brick cutting and mixing inside those hours and tidy up your yard before we leave.
Is your masonry showing its age? Call and I'll come look.
Call (510) 254-3205 or use the form to tell us what you've noticed and when it started, and we'll set a time for me to come and look.
Mon–Fri: 6 AM–10 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–11 PM
