The calls we get in Kilgore look a lot like the ones we get across East Texas: older brick houses with cracked mortar joints, chimneys worn down by years of weather, and yards that need a retaining wall, a walkway or driveway pavers. We're based in Tyler and do the same work in Longview and Jacksonville, so Kilgore is close to home for our crew.
On an older house, most of the job is matching. Old brick and mortar have their own color and texture, and when the ground under a house shifts between wet and dry seasons, cracks tend to run along the mortar joints, so we find out what's moving before we patch what you can see.
What sets the price and the schedule
The price comes down to how much brick, stone or block the job takes, how hard it is to match what's already on your house, and whether the damage stops at the surface or runs deeper into the wall. Access counts too, so a chimney up a steep roof costs more than a wall beside the driveway. The schedule turns on the weather, because fresh mortar does best in dry weather above freezing, on how long it takes to find brick that matches, and on whether the city wants a permit and inspections. I come out, look at the job and write the estimate, so you get your own number before anything starts.
Repairs that look like they belong
We're best known for brick and mortar repair that blends in with the old work, and that's what most older houses here need. Before we patch anything, we look at the color of the mortar, the sand in it and how the joints were shaped, so the repair reads the same as the wall around it from the street. If a wall can wait, I'll tell you so rather than sell you work you don't need. On site, a lead mason runs our crew, and you'll know where your job stands without having to chase anybody down.
Licensing and permits in Kilgore
Building Services, the city department that handles permits and inspections in Kilgore, also enforces the state's licensing laws for contractors, and contractor registration runs through the same office. So the city keeps an eye on who does the work as well as the work itself. We're licensed and insured, and it's fair to ask any contractor you're weighing to show you both. We check with the city on each job, and when a permit is needed, we file it and keep the paperwork moving so you aren't the one chasing it.