Masonry Contractor in Lincoln, NE - Fixing the Cause, Not Just the Crack
Mastercraft Lincoln Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Lincoln, NE. We repair brick homes, chimneys and foundations across the city, and we build new block and brick walls, walks, retaining walls 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.
Lincoln houses and the masonry work they need
Lincoln is where I learned this trade, working alongside other masons around the city before I started this business in 2021, and it's still home base for our crew. Most calls are about crumbling joints, a leaking chimney or a wall that's started to crack or lean. The older brick houses toward the center of the city keep us busy with repointing and chimney work, while newer neighborhoods farther out call more for retaining walls, walks and outdoor kitchens. We also work in the cities around Lincoln, including Seward, Crete and Gretna.
The price on a Lincoln job mostly comes down to how far the damage goes and how much we have to open up to reach the cause, and the schedule usually turns on whether a permit is needed and on the weather, since fresh mortar shouldn't freeze while it sets. Your own number comes from the estimate I write after I've seen the house. On most houses here the job really comes down to water, where it gets into the masonry and where the ground around the house sends it.
What wears out on Lincoln brick homes
- Older brick was usually laid in softer mortar than today's, so a hard modern mix can crack the brick around it, and we match the mortar to the wall.
- Chimneys stand up in the weather on every side, so a cracked cap or open joint up top lets water run down inside long before a stain shows.
- Basement walls and retaining walls usually crack or lean because water and wet soil push on them, so we check the yard's slope and drainage first.
Masonry services we do for Lincoln homes
Foundation repair
When a basement wall cracks or bows, we find what's pushing on it, usually water or soil, and fix that before we repair the block or brick.
Chimney repair
A leaking chimney usually means a cracked crown, loose bricks or failed joints up top, so we fix what's letting water in before it reaches your ceilings.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints go sandy or recessed on an older house, we grind out the worn mortar and pack in new to keep water out of the wall.
Brick repair
Bricks that are cracked, loose or flaking on the face get cut out and replaced with the closest match we can find, once we know why they failed.
Driveway pavers
If your poured driveway keeps cracking, pavers on a packed gravel base can move a little without breaking, and a damaged one lifts out and gets replaced.
Retaining wall construction
For a sloped yard washing out or an old wall starting to lean, we build with drainage behind it so water drains away instead of pushing on it.
Masonry restoration
When an older brick house has worn joints, stained faces and patched spots all at once, we plan the work as one job so the wall looks consistent.
Fireplace installation
For a wood fire in the living room, we build the firebox, hearth and surround in brick or stone, planned around the space and where the chimney runs.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, a thin face of stone, dresses up a plain foundation, column or fireplace wall, and we set it over a backing that lets water drain out.
Concrete block walls
For a garage wall, a screen wall or a base for something heavy, we lay concrete block and add steel and grout where the load needs it.
Foundation block wall installation
When a basement or crawl space wall is too far gone to repair, or you're adding on, we lay a new block foundation on a proper footing.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
For an outdoor kitchen, we build the counters, grill surround and bar in block, brick or stone, laid out so the cook has room to work.
Walkway construction
A walk that's heaved, cracked or turned into a trip hazard can come out and go back in brick, stone or pavers on a base that drains.
Brick wall installation
For a garden wall, a wall along the lot line or an addition that should match the house, we lay brick in the same pattern and mortar color.
Stone masonry
Natural stone suits steps, pillars, garden walls and fire pits, and we pick and fit each piece by hand so it sits solid on the stones below.
Brick pointing
For a few bad joints around a window, step or downspout, we repoint just those spots and match the mortar, instead of redoing the whole wall.
- Request an estimate
Get a free on-site masonry estimate for your Lincoln home
We reply within one business day to set a time. I come out to your Lincoln house myself, look at the brick, chimney or wall, find what's causing the trouble and write up the estimate. It's free, and there's no pressure to book.
(402) 202-7624Other areas we serve
Lincoln masonry questions about permits, codes and cost
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Lincoln, NE?
Some masonry jobs in Lincoln need a permit, and the place to ask about yours is Lincoln Building and Safety, which issues the city's building permits. The city lists projects like a garage or a fence taller than seven feet and says those are just some of the jobs that need one. When yours does, we take care of the application and set up the inspections, and if it's not clear, we'll check with the office that covers your address.
Do I need a permit to build or tear down a wall in Lincoln, NE?
Yes, the city says taking a wall down or putting one up requires a permit, and tearing down a complete structure, like an old detached garage, takes a separate demolition permit. Most projects also need full construction drawings with the application, and a new building or addition needs a site plan showing where it sits on the lot.
What building code does Lincoln use for home projects?
Lincoln builds to the 2021 International Residential Code with the city's own changes, which took effect January 30, 2026. Some city pages still show older code lists, so go by the current one. The permit is how the city makes sure the work meets that code and its zoning rules.
How do I check if a masonry contractor in Lincoln is registered with the state?
Look them up with the Nebraska Department of Labor, because state law requires contractors and subcontractors doing work on someone else's property in Nebraska to register there. A contractor with employees also has to keep workers' comp coverage on file, and one whose coverage expires comes off the registered list. The department says registration doesn't vouch for quality or protect you from fraud, so ask for references too. We're licensed and insured.
What causes mortar joints to crumble on older Lincoln brick houses?
Water is usually what breaks down mortar joints on older brick houses. Rain gets into a joint that's cracked or worn, freezes in winter and pushes it apart a little more each year, and a downspout dumping against the wall or a hard patch from an earlier repair speeds that up. We fix where the water's coming from first, then repoint, because new mortar over an old leak just washes out again.
How much does masonry repair cost in Lincoln, NE?
Masonry repair in Lincoln is priced by the job, mostly on how much is damaged, how hard it is to reach and how closely the new work has to match the old. A few bad joints cost far less than repointing a whole wall, and a tall chimney, scaffolding or a permit adds to it. I'll look at it in person and write you an estimate, and if a smaller repair will do the job, I'll tell you.
Call about your Lincoln masonry repair
Call (402) 202-7624 any day from 6 AM to 11 PM or use the estimate form, because a crack caught early is usually a smaller fix than one left through another winter.