Masonry contractor in Gretna, NE - repairs that fix the cause, not the crack
Mastercraft Lincoln Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Lincoln that works in Gretna, NE, repairing brick, chimneys, foundations and block walls, and building new walls, walkways, paver driveways 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.
Gretna as we see it on our masonry jobs
We're based in Lincoln, and Gretna is one of the cities around it where our crew works. The calls from there sound a lot like the ones we get at home: mortar going sandy on a brick house, a chimney leaving a stain on the ceiling, or a wall that's started to crack or lean. We also build new walls, walks and outdoor kitchens for people finishing out a yard. The price mostly moves with how much is damaged and what's behind it, and the schedule mostly turns on whether the job needs a permit and an inspection first, so I come out, look at the cause with you and write the estimate before anything gets set.
We do the same work in Crete and Seward, and from one city to the next it's the house that changes the job. Older brick needs mortar soft enough to give before the brick does, and a sloped yard needs a wall built for the weight of the soil behind it.
What Gretna houses and yards usually need
- On older brick houses the mortar joints usually wear out long before the brick does, so a wall that looks rough often needs new joints, not new brick.
- A leaking chimney usually lets water in at the crown or the metal flashing where it meets the roof, and painting over the ceiling stain fixes nothing until that's sealed.
- When a wall or walk cracks or leans, the cause is usually a weak base under it or water trapped behind it, so that's what we fix first.
Masonry work we do for Gretna homes
Foundation repair
When a basement wall shows stair-step cracks or starts to bow, we find out whether water or soil pressure is pushing on it before we repair anything.
Chimney repair
If you see water stains near the fireplace or loose brick up top, we find where water gets in and repair that spot, not the whole chimney.
Tuckpointing
When mortar between your bricks turns sandy or falls out, we grind out the worn joints and pack in fresh mortar so water stops getting behind the face.
Brick repair
A few cracked or flaking bricks don't call for a new wall, so we cut out the bad ones and set matching brick in their place.
Driveway pavers
If your driveway is cracked or you'd like one you can fix a piece at a time, we lay pavers on a packed base made to carry cars.
Retaining wall construction
When a slope is sliding or an old wall leans, we build a retaining wall with drainage behind it so water doesn't build up and push on it.
Masonry restoration
For an older brick house worn in several places, we work through the joints and trim in order and save as much original brick as we can.
Fireplace installation
If you want a masonry fireplace in a new room or an older one rebuilt, we build the firebox and surround and tie it properly to the chimney.
Stone veneer installation
When you want stone on a front wall, a column or a fireplace, we set thin stone veneer over a backing that lets trapped water drain out.
Concrete block walls
For a garden wall or a low wall along a drive, we lay concrete block on a solid footing and fill the hollow cores where it needs strength.
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition or failed basement wall needs a new block foundation, we lay it on a sound footing and seal the outside before the dirt goes back.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
If you want to cook outside, we build the counter base, grill surround and seating walls in brick, block or stone to match your house and patio.
Walkway construction
When a walk has heaved, sunk or turned into a trip hazard, we dig out the soft spots, pack a firm base and lay brick, stone or pavers.
Brick wall installation
For a new brick wall along a patio or garden bed, we start with the footing, because a wall is only as straight as what it sits on.
Stone masonry
When you want natural stone for steps, a wall or a fire pit, we cut and fit each piece by hand so it sits tight and sheds water.
Brick pointing
If only a few joints are cracked or open, we refill just those with mortar matched in color and strength, which costs less than redoing the whole wall.
- Request an estimate
Get a free on-site masonry estimate in Gretna
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out to your Gretna house. I look at the work with you, find what's causing it and write a free estimate, with no pressure to book. If you go ahead, our own small crew of masons does the job, with me on site.
(402) 202-7624Other areas we serve
Gretna permits, codes and costs for masonry work
Where do I apply for a building permit in Gretna, NE?
If your house is inside the city's zoning and building jurisdiction, you apply in person at Gretna's Building and Zoning Department. The department's page has printable permit applications and a site plan review checklist. When a job of ours needs a permit, we take care of the application and set up the inspections.
Who handles permits for a house just outside Gretna city limits?
Sarpy County handles building and zoning for properties outside the city limits and outside the area just past them that the city still oversees. Inside those lines, your project goes straight to the city instead. If you're not sure which side your address falls on, we'll check with the office that covers it before anything gets filed.
What building code does Gretna use for home projects?
For houses, Gretna uses the 2021 International Residential Code, according to the city's posted code list as updated in February 2025. Most of the codes on that list carry local changes the city made by ordinance, so the city's version is the one that counts, not the national book on its own.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Gretna?
Call the city's building department at 402-332-3336, ext. 1209, and try to reach a person instead of leaving a message. The city recommends a live call, because a voicemail alone books the inspection only after staff confirm it. On jobs where we've handled the permit, we set up the inspections ourselves.
How much does masonry repair cost in Gretna, NE?
The cost of masonry work in Gretna comes down to how much is damaged, what's causing it and what it takes to match your existing brick, block or stone. A few bad joints or bricks cost far less than a rebuilt wall or chimney, and I'll tell you when the smaller repair will do. Fixing the cause, like water getting in, can add to a job up front, but it's what keeps you from paying for the same repair twice.
How do I find a masonry contractor near Gretna, NE who fixes the cause?
Look for a mason who comes out in person, shows you why the brick or wall failed and will tell you when a smaller repair is enough. That's how we work as a masonry contractor in Lincoln, NE, serving Gretna and the cities around it since I started the business in 2021. I do the site visits and write the estimates, our own crew does the work with me on the job, and we're licensed and insured with satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Call about your Gretna masonry job today
We answer from 6 AM to 11 PM seven days a week, so call (402) 202-7624 or send the form when you first spot the crack, because a small repair caught early usually stays small.