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

Masonry contractor in Sunnyvale, CA - repair and new work for postwar homes

D&R Cupertino Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor working in Sunnyvale, CA. We repair brick, stone and chimneys, and we build retaining walls, block walls, walkways and paver driveways for homes across the city.

Request an estimate(669) 215-2127
Red brick entry steps with worn and mismatched bricks, black railings, and a dark front door.
  • Licensed and fully insured.
  • Free estimates at your property.
  • Replies within 1 business day.

Masonry work on Sunnyvale homes

We're a masonry contractor based in Cupertino, CA, and Sunnyvale sits right next door. A lot of our calls there come from single-story ranch houses and tract homes built after the war, the ones with brick planters out front, an original chimney and concrete that has settled over the years. Mixed in with them are newer townhomes and rebuilt houses on the same lots, and that work leans more toward new walls, stone veneer and paving.

The streets run much like they do across the line in Mountain View and Santa Clara, flat and built out lot to lot. That shapes the job, because there's little slope to carry water away and not much room to stage block or pavers, so I plan drainage and access on the first visit.

What we build and repair in Sunnyvale

What Sunnyvale homes ask of masonry

The city's building code page puts Sunnyvale in seismic design category D, which is the code's way of saying buildings here have to be designed for strong shaking. For masonry, that means steel and a proper footing in anything that holds weight or holds back soil, so we build block walls, retaining walls and foundation work that way, and when a wall needs an engineer, I'll tell you that before we start.

Water is the other thing I watch for. On flat lots it sits against foundations, under pavers and behind walls instead of running off, and that's behind a lot of the cracking and heaving I get called out to look at. I spent years framing houses before I took up masonry, so I look at the whole house, and fixing where the water goes is part of the job. The price mostly moves with the size of the work, the material you pick, how much old masonry has to come out and what the drainage needs. The schedule mostly turns on whether the city has to review the job first. Your written estimate lays out what we'll do and why.

Get a free on-site masonry estimate in Sunnyvale

Tell us what you're seeing and where the house is, and we'll reply within one business day. I come out myself and write a free, no-obligation estimate that says what we'll do and why.

(669) 215-2127

Sunnyvale masonry questions

Do I need a permit for masonry work in Sunnyvale?

Many masonry jobs do, because the city requires a building permit before new construction or remodeling starts and a Planning permit, its review of how a project looks and fits the site, for exterior changes to a house. The city tells owners to contact its One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall for a project's exact requirements. When your job needs a permit, we handle the application with the city and plan our start around its review, and if you're not sure, ask and we'll check.

When does a contractor need a California license for masonry work?

The state contractors board requires a license when a job needs a building permit, uses any additional workers or comes to $1,000 or more in labor and materials across one or more contracts. That covers almost any wall, chimney or driveway job. We're licensed and fully insured, and the city separately requires anyone doing business in Sunnyvale to hold a city business license.

Do I need a city permit to work on the sidewalk or driveway apron in Sunnyvale?

Yes, the city requires an Encroachment Permit for any work in the public right-of-way, the strip along the street that holds the sidewalk. If part of a new driveway or walkway lands in that strip, that part needs one. I'll look at where your work meets the street at the estimate, and we handle that permit with the city along with any others the job needs.

How do I find out if my Sunnyvale home is in a flood hazard area?

Check the flood zone page on the city's website, because the city says FEMA has marked certain parts of Sunnyvale as Special Flood Hazard Areas, considered high risk for flooding. New construction and remodeling in those areas come with special requirements, which can affect foundation and wall work. If your house is in one, tell me at the estimate and we'll check those requirements with the city before we plan anything.

How much does masonry work cost in Sunnyvale?

The price depends on your own wall, chimney or driveway, so I give you a written figure after I've seen it instead of a guess over the phone. Natural stone usually costs more than block, matching old brick takes longer than laying new, and a narrow side yard that means carrying everything by hand adds labor. A retaining wall that needs drainage or an engineer, or a job that needs a permit, adds to it as well.

How long does a masonry project take in Sunnyvale?

Much of the wait usually comes before we start, because a job that needs a permit has to get through the city's review first. Once we're on site, the time turns on the size of the job, how much old masonry comes out and the weather, since rain can push back a pour or a day of laying brick. We plan our start around the city's review so you're not left with a half-dug yard waiting on paperwork.

Have a wall or chimney in mind?

Call (669) 215-2127 or use our estimate form, and I'll come out and write you a free estimate.

Request an estimate

Other cities we serve

We work across the cities around Cupertino. If yours is listed below, pick it to see what we do there, or call (669) 215-2127 to talk about your project.