Masonry contractor in Arab, AL - brick, block and stone work that holds up
Capstone Huntsville Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Huntsville that works in Arab, AL. We repair and repoint brick, rebuild chimneys and build retaining walls, block walls, walkways and paver driveways.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Arab houses and yards as we find them
Most of what we're called to in Arab is an existing house, not a new build. A good share of them are brick, and many are old enough that the mortar has started to give. A lot of them also sit on bigger, more open lots than a subdivision in Huntsville, with a long driveway, a front walk and a yard that slopes off somewhere.
That means much of our work here is out in the yard as much as on the house, and on ground that isn't flat, the slope decides how much digging comes before any brick or stone goes down.
Masonry services we offer in Arab
Foundation repair
When a crack climbs a brick wall or a door starts sticking, we find out what moved under the house before we patch anything.
Chimney repair
Chimneys on older Arab houses usually wear first at the top. We rebuild the cap and relay loose brick before water works its way inside.
Tuckpointing
When an older brick front has worn joints, we fill them to match the brick and run a thin, crisp line that sharpens the wall.
Brick repair
Cracked or loose bricks at steps, porches and window sills are common on older houses here. We cut them out and set brick matched to yours.
Driveway pavers
On a long Arab driveway, pavers only stay flat if the base under them is packed right, so we dig deep and pack it in layers.
Retaining wall construction
Where a yard drops off, a retaining wall holds the slope, and we put gravel and a drain pipe behind it because trapped water pushes walls over.
Masonry restoration
When an older brick house needs several repairs, we clean, repoint and replace worn brick in one planned job instead of piecemeal patches.
Fireplace installation
If you want a fireplace in a family room or addition, we build the firebox and surround in brick or stone, sized to the room and its chimney.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, a thin stone face, dresses up a plain foundation or porch. We set it over a water barrier so moisture drains out at the bottom.
Concrete block walls
For a shop wall or a property-line wall on a sloped lot, we lay block on a poured footing and fill the hollow cores where it needs strength.
Foundation block wall installation
For an addition or garage on uneven ground, we lay the block foundation level from the first row, since everything above it sits on it.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Bigger yards here leave room for an outdoor kitchen, and we build the block frame and brick or stone face, leaving openings for the gas and electric work.
Walkway construction
A walk across a big yard has to stay even, so we set brick, stone or pavers on a packed base pitched enough for rain to run off.
Brick wall installation
For a garden wall or brick columns at the end of the drive, we match brick to your house and set it on a solid footing.
Stone masonry
Natural stone fits the open yards around many Arab houses, and we set stone walls, steps and columns on footings so the stones don't shift apart.
Brick pointing
If your mortar rubs out under a thumb, we cut the joints back and repack them with a mix softer than the brick, so the mortar wears first.
A free written estimate for your Arab masonry job
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I come out to your property myself, and the written estimate is free with no obligation.
- Based in
- Huntsville, AL 35801
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 6 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–9 PM
Permits and licenses for masonry work in Arab
Building permits here come from the City of Arab Building Department, which permits putting up, adding onto, altering, repairing or tearing down a structure in the city. The department requires a building permit for all construction with a value in excess of $500, and for structural work that needs an inspection whatever it costs. Plenty of masonry jobs cross that line, so the permit can set how soon we start. The permit application also calls for a copy of the contractor's license and a business license, so ask any contractor you're considering to show you both.
We're licensed and fully insured. I check with the office that covers your address and handle the permit when your job needs one, so you're not left sorting it out. Beyond the permit, the price moves with the size of the job, the brick or stone you pick, how easy the spot is to reach and what we find behind or under the old work. The written quote I send after my visit gives you your own number. We come down from Huntsville for Arab jobs, the same as we do for work in Guntersville.
What wears out on Arab houses and yards
Brick lasts a long time, but the mortar between the bricks doesn't. On older houses here we often find joints that have gone sandy or were patched with a mortar harder than the brick. That hard patch is the real problem, because when the house moves, the brick cracks instead of the joint. We cut it out and repoint with a mix that suits the brick, which takes more labor up front and saves the brick.
When a wall, a walk or a set of steps on a slope starts to lean or heave, the cause is usually underneath it. Either the base was never packed or water is trapped behind a wall with no way out. Resetting the top only hides that for a while, so we dig it out and fix the base and drainage first.
How a masonry job in Arab runs, start to finish
Here's how it goes from your side, from the first call to the walk-through at the end.
Call or send us a note
Call (256) 417-4326 or send the form, and we get back to you to set a time that works. We answer seven days a week, so a weekend call is fine.
I look the job over
I come out myself, take photos and tell you plainly what I see, including what your house doesn't need. Then you get a written estimate, so you know the cost before you decide anything.
We get the permit and build
If you go ahead, I check the permit with the office that covers your address, and our crew lead runs the work with our masons. Where the city calls for a footing inspection, it happens before any concrete goes in, so the crew sets the footing and waits on that check.
We walk the finished job
When the work is done, I walk it with you and show you what we did, including the parts you won't see again. Satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Questions about masonry in Arab, AL
Does a garage or addition in Arab, AL need a building permit?
Yes. The city's permits cover garages and additions along with other building and repair work. For single-family residential construction, the city counts value at $75 per square foot of heated floor area and $50 per square foot of unheated area, so a heated room adds up faster than an open garage. The city also requires each sub trade to get its own permit for the project, so our masonry is permitted on its own.
What happens if masonry work starts in Arab before the permit is issued?
The city doubles the permit fees when work that needs a permit starts before the permit is in hand. Paying the double fee doesn't settle anything else, because the work still has to meet code in full and other penalties can still apply. That's why I get the permit sorted before our crew starts.
How long does it take to get a city inspection scheduled in Arab?
The city asks for 24 hours' notice for an inspection, and the contractor or subcontractor makes that call. We call it in ourselves and plan the footing pour we mentioned around that wait, so you don't have to chase it.
What county is Arab, AL in?
Arab is in Marshall County. For work inside the city, building permits come from the City of Arab, so that's where I check first for an Arab address.
What affects the cost of masonry work on an Arab home?
What's under and behind the job affects the cost most, because a wall or walk that needs its base or drainage rebuilt takes more digging and material than one that only needs new brick on top. Matching hard-to-find old brick, choosing natural stone over block and a spot a truck can't reach all push the price up. A standard material or doing the worst section first brings it down.
How do I find out if my masonry project in Arab needs a permit?
Ask the Building Department, which asks owners and contractors to check with it before a project starts. You can reach it at buildingdept@arabcity.org or 256.586.5968, or at City Hall, 740 North Main Street, which is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you hire us, I make that check for you.
Ask about your masonry project in Arab
A few photos sent with the form, or a quick call, lets me see what you're dealing with before I come out.