Masonry Specialists

He responded within a few days to my telephone message. He came by when I wasn't home and later called with an estimate. I got 3 estimates with his as the lowest so we contracted with his company. He called and said he would be out and quot;next weekand quot; to remove the old step and set up for the new. Then he would contact the city inspector and after he approved the work he would pour the concrete. Mr. White was true to his word, but it has taken more time to complete due to the daily rains. It took some time for his company to finish the job due to the weather. He told me that the bricks would have mortar in place and the step would be polished up. Someone did come by to finish the job but many bricks had no mortar added and there is a corner not done to my liking. There is alot of irregularity at the corner. I called Mr. White twice but never heard from him. Mr. White was very pleasant to deal with and considerate of our time. But since the work wasn't completed to my satisfaction, I would not use his company again. Sorry MR. White, but I expected you to return my phone calls.

Very smooth. They came out when I was not home and left the estimate in the mailbox. Their estimate was quite a bit lower than the other one we got, so I asked them to do the job, which they did, again while I was not home, and left a bill for exactly what they said it would be. The work looks great (it was 9 months ago) and they cleaned up well. While this may sound impersonal, I loved that they came and handled everything without me having to be here. I work and have 2 kids and it was nice that this project wasn't a hassle. I am calling them again this week to look at an inside job!

Called him in mid May, he came within the week and provided an estimate. I also got 3 other estimates and his was the lowest. We contracted him in June and the work was done within 2 weeks. Overall we were very happy with the service. I did not give him all A's because he was a bit slow on returning calls- would take 3 to 4 days to respond, so that was a little frustrating not knowing what was going on.

Removed old crumbled mortar and replaced with new where needed.

He initially did the work in cold weather and a section open a tiny seam when the weather warmed. I called James and he came right back and fixed it. He also noticed when he was repairing the window well seam that the mortar for the front steps was missing between several steps. It had developed after James did the window well the first time, but he fixed it without asking or charging. I will definitely use Masonry Specialists again.

Contacted them for a quote based on reviews in Angie's List. Came by the next day to look at the project and take measurements. To get the quote required two weeks and multiple phone calls (should have been my first clue). Contract stated that work was to begin no later than the end of August. Took multiple phone calls to get them to start the work, then after they had demolished the wall and started digging for the footer I found out they were working without a permit. Took another couple calls to the University Heights building department (and soothing an upset Building Commissioner) to get the necessary approvals to continue. They finally poured the footer a couple weeks later and then after more phone calls they came and rebuilt the wall. The mortar was not a good match, the top is not very level, and they did not place anchors or set a bed of mortar with the sill plate in it. The tuckpointing on the walls also did not match the existing mortar color very closely. They never started the remainder of the work, despite multiple phone calls. I saw James White and one of his workmen in Home Depot on 11/23/12 and confronted him in front of a witness. I asked why he wouldn't return my calls and why he had not finished the work. He gave me a lame excuse that he'd tried my work number (which, in fairness, had changed). Unfortunately, my cell phone was the other phone number ON THE CONTRACT and I'm also listed in the phone book, so his lie was apparent. He told me he'd call me to schedule the work, but that he thought he could get back on it within a week. That's the last I've heard from him. Part of this testimony can be verified by the University Heights building department. I would not recommend anyone using Masonry Specialists for any work of any kind, since they do not perform quality work in a timely manner. I have discussed his lack of professionalism and workmanship with the city, and have filed a complaint with the Cleveland BBB. Update 3/1/13: Have provided Angie's List and BBB with copies of signed contract, which lists chimney work as a separate line item, for which Masonry Specialists was paid. Work was never performed. Checked with other masons in the area and they stated that the sill plate does, in fact, need a bed of mortar and anchor bolts in order to be leveled and secured properly. Bed of mortar under adjoining sill plates is plainly visible. City inspectors were upset that permits had not been pulled, which is why the Building Commisioner was involved.

The front brick steps were in bad shape but looked great after they were finished. Chimney tuckpointing looked fantastic. Large cracked areas of the cement driveway were removed and replaced. Fantastic ! Excellent communications. Prompt Professional service. I could not ask for anything more !! I have never been so pleasantly surprised by someone's work before. They knew what needed to be done and did it professionally. I hghly recommend this company and will use them whenever I have the opportunity. When I think of Masonry I will think of Masonry Specialists.

I called James White on October 3, 2012, he responded back to my call right away, he was very courteous. He came out to do an estimate and started the work three days later. He rebuilt my chimney, repaired front steps, installed glass block and cleaned up very good after work was completed.

I chose Masonry Specialists from Angies List. My telephone call was returned promptly. James White came to my home within a day or two to give me a written estimate. We set up a date, and although it was postponed a few times due to rain (no one's fault of course), the work was completed soon after originally scheduled. It was an 8-hour job and done in one day.

Job went smooth and timely. It's sometimes difficult to find someone, especially who is licensed and can pull a permit, to do a smaller concrete job and charge a reasonable price. We will definitely work with James again.

Nothing happened. He never called me back with the estimate.

The owner came promptly after I called and gave an estimate, explaining what he would do. The worker came as scheduled and worked carefully, thoroughly for hours, asking me several times to go outside and give it my eye, in case he missed any spots needing work. When I did, he seemed genuinely glad I had found some things he missed. The worker was so polite, so pleasant, and so thorough and hard working. It looks like a very good job. Remains to be seen how it holds up over winter but the experience till now was excellent.

James White, Masonry Specialists, inc., looked at the stairs I wanted to remove and gave me an estimate and project start and finish time for the work to be completed. He described what would be done and the steps to be taken to complete the project. The project went very well and as described. I was encouraged by him to view the work and he explained each stage of completion. The work was completed very efficiently and professionally by Mr. White and crew. They matched the brick used to build the stairs to the existing brick on the house and to the stair and platform slabs on the front of the house, all of which created a very uniform and complete look to the house. They salvaged the existing iron railing that was on the old stairs so that it can be re-used on the stairs that they built. I am very happy with the work that was done.

James came up with a plan instantly, gave me a quote and started work right away. They were done in about an hour. Fantastic work.

The work was done quickly and professionally. The new bricks matched the old bricks. The work was neat and looks great. James went out of his way to find glass blocks that matched the other blocks in the basement windows. They are no longer manufactured in the particular pattern. The work done to install the window blocks was also professional Additionally, James always called before he came. He and his worker arrived when they said they would, and were professional, yet friendly with all their interactions with me and my husband. We will have James do addional work for us in the near future. I highly recommend him.

James came within one day to give the estimate, was very professional and friendly, and had the work completed within 2 days as promised. Work was nicely done, they were careful not to dump any concrete or dry powder on the yard. They were also careful not to step on plantings around the porch. Overall very positive experience, I would use them again.

James came over to provide an estimate on the same day I called him. He and an employee showed up three days later to complete the work due to a deadline on my end. They did a great job matching the mortar colors. They also acid washed a mess of an earlier repair-attempt by a well-meaning in-law who used quickcrete that got all over the brick faces. Came out great!

Finding reliable and dependable professionals in the home improvement industry is a and ldquo;hit or missand rdquo; proposition. Over the years, I have experienced many painful misses! Today I was delighted to have found a direct and lsquo;hit' and ndash;Bullseye with Masonary Specialist. From the start of the estimate, through the work and ending with clean-up, I have finally found a professional home improvement company. James White listened to my needs, provided some advise and provided a detailed line item quote on the spot. Tim provided highly skilled work for my specific tuck point requirements. As he moved through each phase of the job, Tim politely engaged me to show me what was completed and what he would be doing next. This is a critical step. Why? Expectations can be miss communicated and Masonry Specialist would need to perform re-work or I would be an unhappy customer-Bravo for adding that step to the process. My expectations were met and in fact exceeded. Great job Jame and Tim.

Overall it was a good experience, I had no real issues with them. He did a really good matching the color which is the hard part of tuck pointing.

James was very good. He was on time and finished the job on time and the price was reasonable.

Their work was always well done. They clean up the work site and are responsive to questions or cocerns. Prices are fair and they are pleasant to work with. Snow plowing service was done when promised and evening follow up was done when needed. I will continue using them and would recommend them without reservation.

James White responded soon after my initial voicemail request for an estimate appointment, and we met to review the project on the same day. Mr. White was and quot;spot onand quot; in understanding and executing a design using the particulars I gave him. (I was concerned about the steepness of the step risers, the width of the entire unit in order to cover an opening behind the steps, and the aesthetic quality of the steps.) Mr. White ensured all work would conform to building codes, and presented several options. Within two weeks, he hand-poured concrete step treads (which required time to cure) and returned to fabricate the final product. It took just over an hour for Mr. White and his assistant to build the brick foundation and risers and position the pre-formed concrete treads. At one point, I became concerned I would need to lay adhesive-backed, nonslip tread stickers. However, I checked in on their progress only to discover the concrete treads were positioned, and Mr. White had the forethought to score a pattern of sorts on the tread to counter slipping. James White is a very experienced, knowledgeable, and considerate masonry contractor. I am a detailed-oriented (a.k.a. and quot;pickyand quot;) person, and I have watched many hours of and quot;This Old Houseand quot;, DIY programs, etc. Mr. White was patient and welcomed questions. Thanks for a great job! I highly recommend this masonry contractor.

He performed some concrete work and put in new stones and rebuilt the footers for the steps. Work still needs to be completed, but his price was very reasonable.

From the first phone call through the completion of the work the company was responsive and performed the work to my expectations.

I gave them a check the day before Thanksgiving and they cashed the check that day. I was not happy with their service at all, they showed up when they wanted to. In one instance, I called them to see where they were, they called back stating their truck had broken down and would be out the following day. They never showed up and didn't call. This year, they sent me a contract but I will not be using them again.