| Q I don’t know much about Masonry | | | | When selecting a mason, it is important to know |
| Contractors. | | | | what services you want performed and if the |
| What do they do? | | | | particular mason has experience with that service. |
| A A mason is a worker who builds structures | | | | A good beginning is to look at online customer |
| from individual units made of concrete, brick or | | | | reviews and ask acquaintances about masonry |
| stone - otherwise known as masonry. | | | | work they have had done to get an idea for the |
| Q What kind of training do masons have? | | | | reputation of different contractors. In addition, it is |
| A Stonemasonry is one of the oldest professions | | | | important to find out about local masonry |
| in the history of construction. As such it is | | | | contractors' specialties and credentials to |
| regarded as a traditional skill, and is one which is in | | | | determine if they are capable of doing the job. |
| heavy demand. Prospective stonemasons or | | | | The first step when choosing among masonry |
| bricklayers, will learn the profession through | | | | contractors is identifying the different companies |
| apprenticeships or a traineeship that will last 3 to | | | | and independent workers that offer masonry |
| 4 years. | | | | services in the customer's area. Some |
| Q How are masons licensed? | | | | contractors are strictly local, though others will |
| A Contractors should have a State license # and | | | | travel to nearby cities. Browsing a business |
| liability insurance. | | | | telephone book or performing an Internet search |
| Q What are the advantages of professional | | | | can help a person determine which contractors |
| masonry services? | | | | are available for a job. |
| A Hiring a professional ensures that you are going | | | | Many online search engines and forums allow |
| to have the best chance at great quality materials | | | | people to post customer reviews of different |
| and the craftsmanship to build a structurally sound | | | | masonry contractors. Some sites feature rating |
| design. It may look fairly easy for a do-it-yourself | | | | systems as well as areas for customers to leave |
| type person, but as with any craft it takes years | | | | comments about services they have received. A |
| of practice and skill to master the art. | | | | person looking to hire new contractors can usually |
| Q What are the disadvantages of trying to | | | | get a good idea of their reputations by browsing |
| do-it-yourself? | | | | recent customer reviews. It is important to |
| A Attempting to take on the challenge of a | | | | remember, however, that anonymous reviews |
| masonry project with little knowledge of masonry | | | | may not always be a good indication of the |
| will result in frustration and sometimes faulty | | | | quality of work of a certain contractor. |
| work that will not last very long. This usually leads | | | | Another means of determining the best masonry |
| to hiring a masonry contractor to come in and | | | | contractors is speaking with other home or |
| clean up or tear out the area(s) that you tried to | | | | business owners who have had work done in the |
| do yourself. | | | | past. Friends, family members, and business |
| In the end, paying more than if you had | | | | acquaintances can often provide helpful insight as |
| contacted a professional from the start. | | | | to whether a certain company should be sought |
| How to Choose/Find a Mason | | | | or avoided. |