Selecting the right masonry contractor is often the most difficult aspect of a restoration project. Here are some tips for homeowners who are approaching a masonry restoration project:

Before Hiring a Contractor

You are your building's best advocate. Educate yourself on historic masonry, materials, and techniques before you begin interviewing contractors. If you read nothing else, be sure to carefullly review the selected Technical Preservation Briefs, published by the National Park Service, and spend some time on the National Park Service's Technical Preservation Services website. We also strongly recommend that you review the other sites that we've listed under our "Information Resources" tab, and you should contact your local preservation organization to see if it offers any relevant workshops or seminars for homeowners.

Hiring a Contractor

There are some basic questions you should ask of any contractor. Licensing requirements vary by location, so find out the local requirements and make sure that your contractor meets them. Also request proof of insurance, specifically workers’ compensation and public liability. If there is an accident on your property, you can be held financially responsible if your contractor is uninsured.

Request a list of comparable projects that demonstrate the contractor's masonry expertise, and specifically ask if he or she has worked on any local landmarks. In communities with preservation ordinances, masonry restoration permits generally have to be reviewed by a local landmark commission for appropriateness. While they are not a foolproof way to gauge a contractor's skills, approved permits on local landmarks indicate that he or she has at least minimal familiarity with historic preservation projects. Note that National Register-listed properties and many state-recognized properties are not subject to permit review--only properties that are also recognized under local ordinances are afforded this extra measure of protection. Once you've got the list, go take a look at the properties to see the workmanship for yourself.

Local landmark commissions and non-profits are also a good place to inquire about contractors. While they usually can't offer any recommendations, your local government agency can provide the names of contractors who have received approval for work on landmark structures, and this is a good place for you to start. Many municipalities make this information public on their websites. (Look for local landmark meeting minutes.) Local preservation organizations often collect the names of reputable professionals as well.

Ask your contractor if he or she is familiar with the National Park Service preservation briefs, and find out what training courses has he or she completed. Ensure that he or she is familiar with traditional lime mortar, and
ask how he or she plans to match the original mortar. Matching color is not enough! In order for a repointing project to achieve optimal results, the mortar must match in color and composition. (For more information, review the Preservation Brief #2, Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Buildings.) Also ask prospective contractor to describe his or her proposed approach, whether it is cleaning, repointing, etc., and make sure that the proposed treatment aligns with the advice contained in the Preservation Briefs.

Don't be surprised if most of the people you talk to are not prepared to take on this kind of work and cannot deliver the results you're expecting. The resurgence of traditional masonry materials and techniques is relatively new, so many contractors aren't familiar with this kind of work. Hold out for the one who is--or the one who is willing to learn and wants to do it right. Keep in mind that "having thirty years of experience" is not a formula for success. It's possible to do poor quality work for decades, so make sure that you're getting quality and not just quantity. References will help you evaluate a contractor generally, but if the person providing the references isn't evaluating performance by preservation standards then the referrals only tell you part of the story.

Finally, don't evaluate bids on price alone. A highly skilled contractor who will using traditional materials properly and who is insured is probably going to be more costly than a less-skilled, uninsured contractor who plans on using conventional products. Evaluate bids to make sure they are pricing comparable materials and services, and remember that going with the lowest bid can be quite costly to your building in the long run. It is important to recognize that masonry restoration work is an investment in the future of your building, and poor workmanship can easily lead to serious, irreversible damage.

During the Job

Pay attention to the work that is being done and watch for brick and stone damage. Common tell-tale signs are joints that are being widened during mortar removal; brick or stone that is being cut by grinders (this is particularly common on the vertical joints); and dust that matches the brick and/or stone, not the mortar. Finally, check to be sure that the contractor is using the agreed-upon materials. If you have doubts about the quality of workmanship, stop the project immediately before any additional damage is done.

A Few Final Notes

While we can't ensure that you will have a positive outcome, following these steps will increase your chances of a successful masonry restoration project. Alternatively, we've had many homeowners come to our repointing workshops so they can do the work themselves, and if you are a committed homeowner who has patience and is willing to take on this kind of project then the DIY approach is a viable alternative.

And remember--your budget and your building will be best served by doing only what needs to be done. Preserve first and replace only when necessary. If you have some areas of failure or particular, localized issues, address them while preserving as much original, intact building material as possible. Focus on removing improper repairs and mitigating sources of deterioration, and weave in repairs using materials that match the original in both appearance and composition. Don't underestimate the powerful impact of good preventative maintenance, either: by ensuring that roofs and parapets don't leak, cleaning gutters and downspouts regularly, and keeping vegetation away from your building, you can prevent a great deal of deterioration before it happens.

Good luck!