Brickmasters Construction

DO NOT USE this contractor! Rick Vanelli is a very likable person, but his WORK IS AWFUL! I first realized we were in trouble when he kept putting off the start date after requiring a 50% deposit for the work. I truly believe that had I not constantly called, even harassed, him about starting, he and his apprentice never would have done the work to begin with. He kept blaming the delays on being backlogged by the weather and prior jobs. We got his name from a preferred contractor list provided by the city of University Heights/Cleveland Heights (they should remove his name from it) thinking it would be the best way to find someone legitimate and qualified. We didn't realize at the time how flawed our reasoning was, however, since we thought being on the city's preferred contractor list was all the reassurance and recommendation we needed to hire him. We hired Rick in 2019 to rebuild our front stoop and to tuck point our chimney and other areas around our home. Here it is five years later and we've been told by several contractors that the stoop needs to be redone because of excessive cracking and crumbling mortar. In, fact, less than two years after the work was done, we contacted Rick several times to ask him to redo the work (or, actually, to have his apprentice redo it since the apprentice performed the majority of the work under Rick's supervision). While Rick always promised that they would return to redo it, they never did. Also, we asked him to color the mortar the same as the mortar between the stones in the front of our home and, while this was done on the stoop, when he, himself, tuck pointed the chimney, he used a different color mortar. We were told that the mortar is cracking and crumbling so much around the stoop because the slab he ordered was much too short. Rather than order another slab, which I imagine would have come out of Rick's pocket since he ordered the first one, his apprentice slathered mortar between the slab and the foundation of our home to try and conceal the shortfall. Just awful, shoddy work. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from this contractor. He's not a "brick master," but an exploiter whose only focus is to "take the money and run." Again, very likable (translation: he talks a good game), but his work is terrible, perhaps not because of a lack of ability, but a lack of commitment and integrity. The only reason I'm giving him a star AT ALL is because he and his apprentice were pleasant to deal with.

Word of advice, Do NOT ever hire Rick Vannelli (Brickmasters Construction Masonry) to do work for you. I made the mistake of paying Rick Vannelli a deposit up front to do some work at my house. The job did require buying supplies that were needed to do the job and he seemed like a good honest guy. Well, he never did the job and won't give me my money back. He is a liar and a thief. I have been trying for months to get my money back…

Rick Vanelli completed quality work on our chimney. He used a man lift that he brought on site himself. He removed and replaced damaged bricks and replaced the chimney pot and flue. He was finished within a day and a half. The brick Rick provided blends in well with our existing chimney. He provided a 5 year guarantee. Very happy with his work.

Rick Vannelli was recommended to me by Erickson Construction in July of 2022. I paid him 50% up front on July 27th, and within about a week, he arranged for someone to power wash everything so he could get started. Rick removed the old mortar and then worked on replacing it and sealing the mortar and the stone. By Sept. 23rd, he had finished one of the four landings, which looked excellent, and made progress on some other areas. He said he would be able to finish the rest within a couple weeks and asked if I could pay him the balance (early) due to a family emergency. I made the mistake doing so, and the project has barely progressed since then. As another reviewer said, Rick is the master of excuses. I wish I had read the reviews here before hiring him. It is now May 8th (2023), and the project still isn't done. The little he has done since then is not nearly as good. I doubt he will ever finish. This is my worst contractor experience ever. Shame on me for trusting him.

Paid half of quote as deposit, was supposed to complete the work within 2 months. After 6 months he hadn’t started, I terminated his contract because I needed the work done. I never got all my money back, still owes me $600. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. Rick Vanelli is an excuse master.

Brickmaster was referred to me by several of my neighbors & I can see why. The owner & his crew were professional, prompt & polite. They were very respectful of my slate & copper roof while repairing my chimney. I wish they did all home improvements as I would definitely use this company again!

The initial meeting in November 2014 went well. Mr. Vannelli was responsive and professional and he was recommend by a neighbor. I paid a deposit of $800 upfront, with $800 due at the completion of the work. As we had a bad winter, the work got postponed until the spring. Unfortunately, Mr. Vannelli never came back, and I was "always in the queue for next week." After over a year of waiting with the service still not being completed, I asked for a refund. To this date (16 months later), I have received $200 of my initial deposit . Like the work, Mr. Vannelli has promised me that a refund check is in the mail but it never comes.

My son-in-law recommended them. They did the work and they will do a yearly inspection for no charge. I haven’t been up on the roof to check, but I don’t doubt that the work is fantastic. I think he did a good job and I would absolutely have him come back for more work.