D&R Cupertino Concrete and Masonry
(669) 215-2127Request an estimate

Masonry contractor in Los Altos, CA - fixing the cause on older brick and stone

D&R Cupertino Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based next door in Cupertino, repairing brick, stone and chimneys at Los Altos homes and building new walls, walkways and paving for the yards around them.

Request an estimate(669) 215-2127
Gray paver walkway and patio surround a swimming pool beside a brick house at sunset.
  • Licensed and fully insured.
  • Free estimates at your property.
  • Replies within 1 business day.

Masonry contractor for Los Altos homes

Los Altos sits between Cupertino, where we're based, and Palo Alto, and the jobs here look a lot like the ones we do there and in Mountain View. Much of the city went up fast after World War II, so we see plenty of ranch houses from those years with brick fronts, brick chimneys and front walks that have been patched more than once. Mixed in are newer remodels, roomy lots with big old trees, and garden walls that have settled a little out of line.

What moves the price on a Los Altos job is how much old work has to come out, how deep the real problem goes and the brick or stone you choose, and the schedule mostly turns on whether the city has to review plans before we start. I come out myself, look it over and give you a written estimate that says what we'll do and why. On houses this age, the brick you see is often sound and the trouble sits behind it, in water getting in or a backing that's gone weak, so that's where I look first.

What we build and repair in Los Altos

What Los Altos houses ask of masonry

A lot of Los Altos houses are old enough that their mortar has done its job and is wearing out, and that's usually where water gets started. It soaks into soft joints, works in behind the brick and shows up later as cracks, flaking faces or a chimney crown coming apart. I framed houses before I laid brick, so I look at what's behind the wall too, and if the backing or the flashing that turns water away is the real problem, you'll hear that from me before we touch a brick. Roots from the big trees here do their own damage to walks and low walls, and there we fix the base underneath, not just the top layer.

If your house is one of the older ones, it's worth asking the city for its current historic inventory list before we plan work on a front or a chimney. The city posts its original historic inventory online and gives out the current list on request, and either way we match the brick, stone and mortar to what your house already has.

A free on-site estimate for your Los Altos masonry

Tell us what you're seeing, where it is on the house and how long it's been going on, and we'll reply within one business day. I come out myself to look, and the estimate is free, written and obligation-free.

(669) 215-2127

Los Altos masonry questions

How much does masonry repair cost in Los Altos?

There's no single price, because a Los Altos masonry job is priced on what your house actually needs. The biggest swings come from how much old brick or mortar has to come out, whether we're working up on a chimney or down at ground level, and how hard it is to match older brick or stone. A job that needs plans and a city review takes more to set up than a simple repair, and your written estimate spells out what we'll do and why.

Who checks plans and inspects masonry work in Los Altos?

The city's Building Division does both, checking architectural and structural plans and scheduling and performing the inspections. Additions and new houses need Planning Department approval before that. When a job needs a permit, we handle the application with the city and plan our start around its review, and if you're not sure about yours, ask and we'll check with the city.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Los Altos?

The city asks you to allow up to 5 business days just to check that a submittal is complete and get it processed. After that and the payment, the project goes to the departments that review it, so those 5 days cover the paperwork check, not the whole review. We set our start date once we see where the review lands.

Which building codes do new plans in Los Altos have to follow?

New plans should reflect the 2025 California Building Codes. The city's submittal page says plans drawn to the 2022 codes had to be in by December 22nd, and anything after that has to meet the newer codes. If you have plans that were drawn a while back, it's worth checking which codes they used before they go in.

How do I get ready for a building inspection in Los Altos?

Have the approved permit, plans and related documents printed and on site, because the inspector won't do the inspection without them. The city emails those documents to whoever is responsible for the permit once it's approved. On jobs where we handle the permit, we print the set and keep it on site for every inspection.

What hours can contractors work on houses in Los Altos?

Residential construction in Los Altos can run from 7 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday. No construction is allowed on Sundays or on the holidays the city observes, so we schedule cutting, mixing and deliveries inside those hours.

Got a crack or a wall to build?

Tell us about it, and I'll come out, look at the job and write up what we'll do and why.

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Other cities we work in

If you're outside Los Altos, look for your city here, or call (669) 215-2127 and ask whether we come out to you.