Masonry Contractor in Crete, NE - Brick, Chimney and Foundation Repair
Mastercraft Lincoln Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Lincoln that works on homes in Crete, NE, repairing brick, chimneys and foundations and building new walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens.
- Foundation repair
- Chimney repair
- Tuckpointing
- Brick repair
- Driveway pavers
- Retaining wall construction
- Masonry restoration
- Fireplace installation
- Stone veneer installation
- Concrete block walls
- Foundation block wall installation
- Outdoor kitchen masonry
- Walkway construction
- Brick wall installation
- Stone masonry
- Brick pointing
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- We reply within 1 business day.
Crete masonry jobs, from old brick to new block
We're a masonry contractor in Lincoln, NE, and Crete is one of the cities around it where our crew works, along with Seward. The calls we get from Crete are a lot like the ones closer to home: mortar crumbling out of the joints, a chimney letting water in, or a basement or yard wall that's started to crack or lean.
Crete has plenty of older brick houses alongside newer homes on block foundations, and they need different things. On an older house it's usually worn joints and a tired chimney, while on a newer one it's more often a cracked block wall or a walk that's settled. Price and timing mostly turn on how far the damage runs and whether a permit has to come first, and you'll get your own figure at the estimate. On lots that sit low by the Big Blue River, we plan drainage into any wall or foundation job from the start.
Crete houses and what shapes a masonry job
- A ceiling stain by the chimney usually starts up top at the cap or the highest bricks, so we fix it there instead of patching inside.
- Older brick often wants a softer mortar than what's sold for new work, and hard mortar packed into old joints can crack the brick around it.
- Bricks, gravel and dirt have to stay off Crete's streets, alleys and sidewalks unless Public Works has given permission first, so we plan where deliveries land on your lot.
Masonry work we do for Crete homes
Foundation repair
When a basement wall shows a stair-step crack or starts to bow, we find what's pushing on it and fix that, not just the crack.
Chimney repair
When the top of a chimney has loose bricks or a cracked cap, we rebuild it down to solid brick and pour a new cap that sheds water.
Tuckpointing
When mortar on an older Crete house turns sandy or falls out, we grind out the worn joints and pack in fresh mortar matched to your brick.
Brick repair
Cracked or loose bricks let water into the wall, so we cut out the bad ones and set replacements that match the old as closely as we can.
Driveway pavers
If your driveway is cracked and heaving, pavers set on a well-packed base are easier to fix later, because a single sunk spot can be lifted and reset.
Retaining wall construction
On a sloped yard or a bank that keeps washing out, we build a retaining wall with drainage behind it, so water doesn't build and push on it.
Masonry restoration
For an older brick home that needs more than one fix, we work through the walls, chimney and steps together and tell you what can wait.
Fireplace installation
If you want a new masonry fireplace or a rebuilt firebox where the fire sits, we build it to fit your chimney and your room.
Stone veneer installation
Thin stone veneer can dress up a plain foundation, porch or fireplace wall, and we set it over a drainage layer so moisture has a way out.
Concrete block walls
For a garage or privacy wall, we lay concrete block on a solid footing and fill the hollow cores with grout and steel where the wall needs strength.
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition or a failed basement wall needs new block, we lay it row by row and plan waterproofing before the dirt goes back.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
If you want to cook outside, we build the grill island and counters in block, brick or stone on a base made to carry the weight.
Walkway construction
When a front walk has settled, cracked or turned into a trip hazard, we dig it out and build a new one in brick, pavers or stone.
Brick wall installation
For a garden wall, a planter or a new section that has to match the house, we lay brick on a footing and tool the joints to match.
Stone masonry
Natural stone steps, walls and borders are slow to lay but last, and we fit each piece by hand so it sits solid without leaning on mortar alone.
Brick pointing
If only a few joints are cracked or open, pointing just those spots is often all a wall needs, and we'll tell you when that's the case.
- Request an estimate
Get a free on-site masonry estimate in Crete
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out to your Crete home. I'll look at the job, find what's causing the trouble and write up the estimate myself, and there's no pressure to book. If you go ahead, our own small crew of masons does the work, and I'm on the job with them.
(402) 202-7624Other areas we serve
Crete masonry questions homeowners ask us
Do I need a permit for masonry work on my house in Crete, NE?
Often you do, because Crete requires a building permit to build, alter, repair or remove any building or dwelling, and the city's residential permit form also covers patios, sidewalks and driveways. Applications go to the city's building inspector, and you can reach the city at City Hall at 402-826-4312. When your job needs a permit, we take care of the application and set up the inspections, and if it's not clear, we'll check with the office for you.
How do I check that a masonry contractor is allowed to work in Crete?
Check with Crete's Building Inspector's Office, which the city asks owners to use to make sure a contractor is licensed to work in Crete, and ask whether the contractor is registered with the Nebraska Department of Labor. The state requires that registration for anyone doing work on property other than their own, but the department says it doesn't vouch for the quality of the work or protect you from fraud. We're licensed and insured, and you're welcome to check us the same way.
What building code does Crete, NE use for home repairs?
Crete uses the International Residential Code for houses, along with the International Building Code, and enforces them inside the city limits and for two miles beyond in its zoning area. So a house just outside the city limits can still fall under Crete's codes and permits. If you're not sure which office covers your address, we'll check before we plan the job.
How do I find out if my house in Crete is in the floodplain?
Look up your address on the flood plain map the city posts, which sits alongside its online maps of zoning and parcels. The building inspector's forms include a floodplain development permit application, so if your lot is in the floodplain, ask the office whether your wall or foundation project needs one. We can check that for you when we come out.
How much does masonry work cost in Crete, NE?
The masonry itself is priced at the estimate, because it turns on how much brick, block or stone is involved, how easy it is to reach and how closely new material has to match the old. If the job also needs a city permit, Crete's flat fee for a patio, sidewalk or driveway is $50.00, and that includes plan review. If a smaller repair will do, I'll tell you, because I'd rather do that than sell you a bigger job.
What causes mortar to crumble on older brick houses in Crete?
Water is usually the cause, soaking into the joints over the years from a leaking chimney cap, an overflowing gutter or ground that slopes toward the house. Once the mortar goes soft, more water gets behind the brick, so we fix where it's coming from before we repoint the joints, or the new mortar wears out the same way.
Call about your Crete masonry repair today
Calls come in from 6 AM to 11 PM, seven days a week, so call (402) 202-7624 or use the online form while a crack or a leak is still small and cheaper to fix.