Benefits Of Hiring A Stone Mason To Complete Stonework Projects

When it comes to building patios and walkways on your property, any small mistakes are set in stone.

Just about anyone can type "DIY patio" into Google, order some stones and get laying, but ending up with a high-quality stone patio, wall, or pathway is another story. When it comes to completing stonework projects, if you're not professionally trained or don't have access to professional equipment, there's a large margin of error.

Today, we're going to explore in a bit more detail why investing in professional masonry services for your next stonework project offers you and your projects a myriad of excellent benefits.

If you have any questions about your project that we haven't answered in this post, you can chat directly with a professional stoneworker by contacting City Suburb at (718) 849-8999.

THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Carrying, maneuvering, and placing stone is more challenging than other materials, but a professional stonemason will have the proper equipment and tools to get the job done with ease.

Any good mason will have in their toolkit:

• Trowels
• Blocking chisels
• Wire brushes
• Masonry hammers
• Jointers
• Alignment tools
• A Shop-Vac
• Masonry saws
• A concrete drill
• A laser level



Not only will your mason have these tools on hand, but it's in their best interest to keep them well maintained and cared for.

THEY TAKE THE RIGHT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Beyond having the tools needed for assembling stones, professional masons will also rely on their inventory of safety gear. While you may not have easy access to safety gloves, hardhats, safety boots, safety glasses, etc., your professional mason is guaranteed to have the necessary items to minimize the risk of injury. The safety equipment required for your project will depend on its scope and size. A professional mason will be able to accurately assess the situation and implement the necessary PPE and precautions before moving forward.

THEY START WITH SITE PREPARATION AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

As much as we wish it was, starting a masonry project isn't as simple as going to the store and buying some patio stones and grout. You'll need to do all the prep work properly if you want long-lasting results, and a professional masonry contractor can help you do just that.

You might not have considered all these steps in the process:

1. Collecting necessary building permits (when applicable)
2. Roughly staking out the land
3. Clearing away trees, roots, vegetation, and debris from the area
4. Excavating the area
5. Grading the site to achieve a level (or desired) surface
6. Ordering high-quality materials

Without proper preparation of the site and understanding of the job requirements, all your hard work might be undone by one tippy stone.

THEY OFFER YOU DESIGN ASSISTANCE

Laying masonry stones is one thing, but designing a patio, a wall, or a pathway is another. A professional mason has the design knowledge and expertise to help you develop a plan that suits your style and your property.

They'll also be able to make recommendations for different products and materials that will help you achieve the look you're going for.

THEY DO CAREFUL INSTALLATIONS

Placing stones correctly is perhaps one of the most challenging parts of building a patio or pathway. Proper installation requires careful planning and perfect execution, and only a seasoned professional can ensure spectacular results.

A trained mason's work is also long-lasting, so your stones won't start to come loose or succumb to water damage in the next few years.

THEY WORK EFFICIENTLY

Setting aside the time to complete stonework on your property can be a challenge, and with all your regular responsibilities, a patio or pathway DIY is more than just a weekend job. Professional masons, however, will work diligently to get the job done-it's their top priority to work on your project and they know exactly what they're doing. They'll complete your project in a few short hours without overlooking any small details and always avoiding potential injuries.

THEY ADD TO YOUR RESALE VALUE

Hiring a professional masonry contractor is essential if you're trying to add resale value to your home or business property. Shouldering the responsibility of masonry work yourself can be risky to your property's long-term safety and structure. You may cause more harm than good, which could decrease the value of your property significantly.

Hiring a professional, however, will help your property to look its best while increasing its attractiveness to potential buyers.

Important tip! Property inspectors will sniff out problematic masonry quickly, so don't risk it!

THEY HAVE THE PROPER LICENSES AND INSURANCE

Another, perhaps obvious, benefit to working with a professional contractor is the fact that they are fully licensed. With a professional, you can rest assured that your property is in good hands and that your project follows local and state guidelines. Also, masonry contractors will be insured, so if anything goes wrong on the job site, it's not your wallet that will be in trouble!

THEY KNOW HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR STONEWORK

Any qualified mason has spent enough time in the industry to know that some products and configurations are easier to maintain than others. A professional mason will be able to tell you what your best options are and how to take care of your space once the installation or repair is completed.

THEY PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

While some stonework repairs and installations may only require the hands of one or two professionals, larger projects can become more complex. A professional mason has the expertise to oversee the entire project. They also have the industry connections needed to source products and extra help. A skilled mason will be able to work as a project manager, ensuring that your vision is understood, your goals are met, and your schedule, timeline, and budget are respected.

THEY HAVE INDUSTRY ACCESS

Unlike regular consumers, masonry experts have connections in the industry and access to the best rates on tools and materials. By investing in professional services, you'll spend less money on products and get more valuable results. In fact, you might be surprised to find out that you won't be saving as much money as you think you are through DIY masonry.

THEY GIVE YOU ONGOING SUPPORT

When you complete masonry projects yourself, you don't have anyone to call when you experience damage to your stonework. You may find yourself scouring the internet once more, when you could connect with the industry expert who installed your stones in the first place and is already familiar with your project.

Masonry contractors will be able to provide you with the ongoing support and advice you need to enjoy beautiful stonework on your property for a long time to come.

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If you know you need to hire a seasoned mason for your next project, City Suburb wants to help you out. We invite you to contact us by phone or email to discuss your vision. We look forward to hearing from you!