Masonry contractor in El Cajon, CA - retaining walls, block walls and brick repair
DM La Mesa Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor based in La Mesa that builds retaining walls and block walls and repoints worn brick for homeowners in El Cajon, with our own masons on every job.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- Replies within 1 business day.
The masonry El Cajon homeowners call us about
Most calls start with something you can see. Mortar that crumbles when you rub it, a crack running through a block wall, or a slope that keeps sliding into the yard. When joints have worn out, we cut out the bad mortar and repack them before water works in behind the brick. When a wall cracks, we find out if the footing under it moved, since that decides the fix.
We're based in La Mesa and work across the cities around it, from El Cajon to Santee, Lakeside and Bostonia. It's the same crew and the same order of work wherever we go, so the footing is right before the first block goes on it.
Price comes down to the size of the wall or area, how much old work has to come out, how easy it is to get material to the spot, and how closely new brick has to match old. The schedule mostly turns on whether your job needs a permit and inspections and how much digging it takes. After I've seen it, the estimate puts the scope in writing.
Masonry services we offer in El Cajon
Foundation repair
When the block under your house cracks or a corner drops, we repair it before the crack spreads.
Chimney repair
A chimney with loose bricks, a cracked cap or open joints needs fixing before water works down inside it.
Tuckpointing
Older brick with worn, shallow joints gets fresh mortar finished with a crisp line so the face looks sharp again.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks come out and get replaced with brick and mortar that match what's around them.
Driveway pavers
Pavers suit a driveway that's due for replacement, and one cracked piece can be swapped without tearing up the rest.
Retaining wall construction
Where a slope is creeping into the yard or a wall leans, we build a drained wall to hold it.
Masonry restoration
An older brick or stone feature with years of wear gets cleaned, repaired and repointed so it holds together again.
Fireplace installation
If you're adding a fireplace or rebuilding a worn one, we build the masonry surround and hearth.
Stone veneer installation
Thin stone over a plain wall, column or planter gives it a stone face without the weight of full stone.
Concrete block walls
One of the jobs we're known for, built on a solid footing along a property line or for privacy.
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition or garage needs a block foundation, we lay it square and level on the footing.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
If you want a grill counter or bar outside, we build the block base and face it in stone or brick.
Walkway construction
A walk that's cracked, heaved or tripping people up gets replaced with brick, pavers or stone on a packed base.
Brick wall installation
When you want a new brick wall to match the house, we pick brick and mortar to sit beside it.
Stone masonry
For steps, planters or a low wall in natural stone, our masons fit each piece by hand.
Brick pointing
If the mortar between your bricks is sandy or falling out, we cut out the bad joints and refill them.
What every El Cajon customer gets from us
Our own masons do the work, start to finish
Nobody else is handed your job, and I check the work at each stage as it goes up.
You'll know each step before it starts
Before we dig or lay block, you hear what's coming, so nothing in your yard catches you off guard.
Licensed, insured, and a clean site at the end
We haul away debris and sweep up before leaving, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Tell us about your El Cajon job
Send your address and what you're planning, or call (619) 648-8025. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no obligation.
Questions El Cajon homeowners ask us
How do I know if my address is inside the City of El Cajon?
Check the city's online permit portal, because an address that doesn't show up there likely isn't in the City of El Cajon. City rules follow the city limits, and many unincorporated San Diego County addresses still list El Cajon as the city, so we check which office covers yours before we plan.
Which El Cajon city office handles building permits?
Building Safety, part of the city's Community Development department, handles building permits in El Cajon. Engineering Services helps process encroachment permits for work in the public right-of-way along the street, and grading plans for grading on public or private property. When your job needs a permit, we handle the paperwork and line up the inspection calls with you.
When does a masonry contractor need a California state license?
The Contractors State License Board requires a license to build or alter a structure if the job needs a building permit, uses any additional workers, or costs $1,000 or more in labor and materials on one or more contracts. A small job is exempt only under $1,000 all in, with no permit and no employees. We're licensed and insured.
Does a contractor from outside El Cajon need a city business license?
Yes, the city requires every business working inside its limits to get a business license and pay the business license tax. That includes companies from outside El Cajon that do work at a customer's home. It's a fair thing to ask any contractor coming in from another city.