Masonry contractor in Laguna Niguel - brick, stone and block built to last
Elite Laguna Niguel Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor based right here in Laguna Niguel. We repair cracked mortar, brick and chimneys, and we build garden walls, retaining walls, paver driveways and outdoor kitchens for homes around the city.
Masonry work in Laguna Niguel, our home city
I started this business here in Laguna Niguel in 2017, after years on my dad's crews learning to lay brick and stone the way he learned it. We work all over the city and in many of the cities around it across Orange County, including Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills and Dana Point.
The price mostly comes down to the size of the job and the material you pick, along with how easy the spot is to reach and what has to come out first, like an old wall or a cracked footing. Soft old brick that needs a matching mortar takes more care than new block, and that shows in the number.
The schedule usually turns on paperwork. A wall that needs a city permit, or plans your HOA wants to see first, waits on those reviews before we dig, and I'll tell you early if that's your situation. I come out myself, look at the job in person and give you a written estimate with your own figure.
Masonry services we offer in Laguna Niguel
Every project we take on here starts with one of the services below. Follow a link to see how we handle that job and what to expect.
Foundation repair
When a crack runs through the foundation or a corner of the house has started to settle, we find the cause first and then repair it.
Learn more about Foundation repairChimney repair
Loose bricks, a cracked cap on top or mortar washing out of the joints are the usual signs a chimney needs work, and we fix them before water gets inside.
Learn more about Chimney repairTuckpointing
If the joints on your brick have gone sandy or hollow, we rake out the worn mortar and pack in fresh, finished with a fine, crisp line.
Learn more about TuckpointingBrick repair
Where a few bricks have cracked, flaked on the face or worked loose, we cut them out and set matching ones so the patch blends in.
Learn more about Brick repairDriveway pavers
A paver driveway suits you if you want something that can be lifted and reset in spots, and it holds up only as well as the base underneath.
Learn more about Driveway paversRetaining wall construction
When a slope is creeping toward your patio, a retaining wall holds the soil back, with drainage behind it so water has a way out.
Learn more about Retaining wall constructionMasonry restoration
When older brick or stone is tired all over, we clean it, repoint it and repair it with mortar soft enough not to harm the old masonry.
Learn more about Masonry restorationFireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces indoors and out, from the firebox to the hearth and surround, sized and lined for the way you plan to use it.
Learn more about Fireplace installationStone veneer installation
Stone veneer gives a wall, column or fireplace the look of solid stone, and it holds only if the backing and water barrier behind it are done right.
Learn more about Stone veneer installationConcrete block walls
For a property line or side yard wall, concrete block is strong and plain, and we can cap it, plaster it or face it to match your house.
Learn more about Concrete block wallsFoundation block wall installation
When an addition or a raised floor needs a block foundation wall, we set it on a solid footing, the concrete strip it rests on.
Learn more about Foundation block wall installationOutdoor kitchen masonry
If you've been putting off that backyard kitchen, we build the counters, grill island and bar in block, stone or brick, with room planned for the utilities.
Learn more about Outdoor kitchen masonryWalkway construction
A walkway in brick, stone or pavers gets you from the driveway to the door or the yard, laid on a packed base so it sits flat.
Learn more about Walkway constructionBrick wall installation
New brick garden walls, planters and columns are what I learned on with my dad, and we build them to look like they came with the house.
Learn more about Brick wall installationStone masonry
For a stone wall, steps or a fire pit, we pick and fit each piece by hand so the joints stay tight and even.
Learn more about Stone masonryBrick pointing
Brick pointing is the smaller job of filling joints that have cracked or pulled away in one area, before the gaps let water behind the brick.
Learn more about Brick pointing
When older masonry needs more than a patch
A repair makes sense when the trouble sits in one spot, like a handful of loose bricks or a short run of cracked joints, and the wall around it is still sound. Push a key into the mortar. If it only gives where you can see damage, brick repair or brick pointing is usually enough.
When the mortar crumbles everywhere, the wall leans or the same crack keeps coming back, patching just buys time. That's when I'd talk with you about masonry restoration or a rebuild, or foundation repair if the base is moving. I'd rather tell you that up front than sell you a fix that looks good for a year.
Masonry for Laguna Niguel's heat, wind and fire zones
Most of what homeowners call us about is cracked joints, tired chimneys, new garden and retaining walls, and the backyard projects they've been putting off for years. Before any of it, I like to walk the yard with you and look at the wall or the spot together, so we both know what we're dealing with.
Summers here run long, hot and dry, with little or no rain, and Santa Ana winds can reach 70 miles an hour or more. Fresh mortar dries before it can cure in that kind of weather, so on hot days we start early and keep new work damp and covered.
Parts of the city are rated Very High, High or Moderate on the state's fire hazard map, and the city requires defensible space, a cleared area around buildings, on properties in those zones. Brick, block and stone don't burn, so they're worth weighing for walls, planters and outdoor kitchens built close to the house.
What to have ready before your estimate
Photos of the trouble spot
If a crack or a loose brick is what's bothering you, take a few photos over a couple of weeks and note whether it's growing. A crack that keeps widening tells me something very different from one that's looked the same for years.
Where the water goes
Watch where rain and sprinkler water run in your yard, and point out any spot that stays soggy. Water behind a wall or under a footing is what undoes most masonry, so drainage is one of the first things I'll ask about.
A rough wish list
Think about the material and color you like, how tall a new wall should be and how you'll use the space. Even a photo of a wall you admire helps, because it lets me match the look before I write the estimate.
Masonry questions we hear in Laguna Niguel
When does a masonry contractor need a California state license?
California's Contractors State License Board requires a license when a job needs a building permit, uses any additional workers or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials, though the board lists some exemptions. We're fully licensed and insured, and a license is the first thing worth checking with anyone you hire.
Does a contractor need a city business license in Laguna Niguel?
No, the city says there's no business license needed in Laguna Niguel. That doesn't change the state rules, so the license worth asking any masonry contractor about is the one from the state board.
Does a low garden wall need a permit in Laguna Niguel?
The city lists walls, fences and gates under 42 inches tall as exempt from permit. For anything taller, a wall holding back a slope, or if you're just not sure, the city's Building & Safety Division answers permit questions. When a job does need a permit, we handle the paperwork with the city and line up the inspections.
How long does plan check take for a permit in Laguna Niguel?
The city says plan check takes 10 business days for a first submittal and 5 business days for a resubmittal. The review looks at things like structural strength and earthquake safety, so a job that needs plans waits on it, and we build that wait into the schedule.
Does my HOA have to approve a wall before the city issues a permit?
It can, because the city lists homeowners associations among the outside groups that may need to review plans or collect fees before it issues permits. If your HOA needs a letter or an engineer's plans have to come first, I'll tell you early so you can plan for it.
Can I get the original plans for my Laguna Niguel house?
If your home was built after the city incorporated in 1989, the city may have copies of the original plans. You can request them from the Building Division at BPermit@cityoflagunaniguel.org, and they're handy before foundation work or a new wall tied into the house.
Tell us about your Laguna Niguel masonry job
Tell us what's going on through the form or by phone. We reply within one business day, and I come out for a free on-site estimate with no obligation.
(949) 312-6076Mon–Fri: 7 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM