Proven Masonry Contractor in Riverside CA - Walls and Brickwork That Stay Put
Keystone Riverside Concrete and Masonry builds block and brick walls, pavers and chimneys and fixes crumbling mortar in Riverside and nearby Corona and Moreno Valley. We also build retaining walls for sloped yards and restore brick on older houses.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Riverside masonry, built from the footing up
I started Keystone Riverside Concrete and Masonry in Riverside in 2017, after years of laying block and brick for a big commercial outfit, where I learned to build to the drawings and to an inspector's eye. We're licensed and fully insured, and we take on 16 kinds of brick, block, stone and concrete work. We work in Riverside and the cities around it, and 12 of them have their own page on this site. You can read more about me and our crew.
Commercial mason habits on your Riverside home
A masonry crew should build the parts you'll never see as carefully as the face you will, and give you a straight answer about what your house actually needs.
Footing and steel first
Commercial work taught me that what's behind the face matters most, so we give the footing, the steel, the mortar and the drainage our attention first.
Estimates that show how
I come out and look at your job myself, and the written estimate spells out what we'll build and how, so you know what you're paying for.
Permits handled for you
When your job needs a permit, we pull it and set up the inspections, so the work is on record with the city.
Straight talk on repairs
If a crack is only cosmetic or a repair can wait, I'll tell you so, because I'd rather keep your trust than sell you a bigger job.
Got a wall or chimney you're not sure about? Send us the details and I'll come take a look.
Masonry contractor services in Riverside, CA
Keystone Riverside Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor in Riverside, CA, with 16 kinds of brick, block, stone and concrete work, from a leaning wall to a new paver driveway. The price mostly moves with the size of the job, the material you pick, how much old work has to come out first and how easy it is to get a crew to the spot. The schedule turns on the permit, if your job needs one, and on how long the footing, mortar and concrete need before the next step goes on. For your own number, ask for a free written estimate on site.
Foundation repair
Cracks running up a foundation wall or a corner that's dropped? We find what's moving it first, then repair the block or concrete so it carries the house.
Learn moreChimney repair
We rebuild cracked chimney caps, replace loose or missing brick and redo worn joints, so water stops working its way down into the masonry.
Learn moreTuckpointing
Tuckpointing fills worn joints with mortar colored to the brick, then runs a thin, crisp line down each joint for the sharp look older brick fronts had.
Learn moreBrick repair
A few cracked, flaking or loose bricks? We cut them out and set the closest match we can find, so the patch blends into the wall.
Learn moreDriveway pavers
We build paver driveways on a dug-out, compacted base with edging that locks them in place, so the pavers stay level under the weight of your cars.
Learn moreRetaining wall construction
Where your yard slopes, we build retaining walls with a solid footing and drain rock and pipe behind them, because trapped water is what pushes most walls over.
Learn moreMasonry restoration
Older brick or stone gone dull and patchy? Restoration is careful cleaning, repointing and repairs that keep the house's original look instead of covering it up.
Learn moreFireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces, indoors or out, from the firebox where the fire burns to the hearth in front, built to the drawings.
Learn moreStone veneer installation
Want the look of stone without a solid stone wall? We set thin stone veneer over a prepared backing with a water barrier behind it.
Learn moreConcrete block walls
We build concrete block walls for privacy and property lines on a poured footing, with steel and grout filling the hollow cores so the wall stays straight.
Learn moreFoundation block wall installation
Building an addition, a garage or a raised floor? We lay the block foundation wall between the footing and the framing, built to the plans.
Learn moreOutdoor kitchen masonry
An outdoor kitchen starts with a solid masonry base. We build it in block, brick or stone, with openings sized for your grill and doors.
Learn moreWalkway construction
We lay paver, brick, stone or concrete walkways from the driveway to your door or around the back, on a packed base sloped so rain runs off.
Learn moreBrick wall installation
A brick wall is the classic choice for a garden wall, planter or yard border. We build it on a proper footing with joints pressed tight to shed water.
Learn moreStone masonry
What's stone masonry? It's building with real stone, cut or natural, for walls, steps, columns and planters, each piece fitted and set in mortar by hand.
Learn moreBrick pointing
Mortar turning to sand? We rake out the bad joints and pack in fresh mortar that suits your brick, since mortar that's too hard can crack it.
Learn more
Masonry work in Riverside and nearby cities
Keystone Riverside Concrete and Masonry is based in Riverside, CA, and works in Riverside and the cities around it, including Jurupa Valley and Redlands. The 12 cities below each have their own page, and if yours isn't on the list, call and ask.
How your masonry job goes, start to finish
Call or send the form
Call (951) 462-2880 or send the form and tell us what's going on, whether it's a crack, a leaning wall or a patio you'd like built. We reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out to your house.
I come out and measure
I look at the job and measure it myself, and I'd rather point at what's causing the problem than describe it to you from the truck. Then you get a free written estimate that says what we'll build and how we'll build it, with no obligation to go ahead.
Permit, then the crew
If your job needs a permit, we pull it and schedule the inspections before we start, and when it isn't clear whether one's needed, we check with the city first, not after. Then our crew does the work, with a lead mason running the site and the footing and steel going in first.
I check it before we finish
Once the crew wraps up and cleans the site, I check the work myself before we call it finished. That means the lines, the joints and the drainage, not just how it looks from the street.
Riverside masonry questions, answered
Here's what Riverside homeowners ask us most before they hire a mason. If your job doesn't fit any of these, ask about it when you call or send the form.
Why do quotes for a block wall in Riverside vary so much?
Mostly because they don't all price the same wall underneath. The footing, the steel and the drainage are the easiest parts to skimp on because nobody sees them until the wall leans. Our written estimate says what we'll build and how, so you can line it up against anyone else's.
Is it cheaper to repair old brick than replace the whole wall?
Usually yes, when the brick is sound and only the mortar or a few bricks have failed, because repointing and swapping bricks costs far less than tearing down and rebuilding. If the wall is leaning or the footing's gone, patching just buys time, and I'll tell you that at the estimate.
How long does a masonry project take in Riverside?
It comes down to the size of the job and the permit, since a job that needs plans reviewed and inspections takes longer to get going than one that doesn't. Once a residential permit is issued, the city requires the work to start within 12 months or the permit is no longer valid, so we schedule with that in mind. I'll go over the timing for your job at the estimate.
Do I need a permit for a block wall or retaining wall in Riverside?
Often yes, because the City of Riverside requires a building permit for most construction, though it exempts fences up to 7 feet high and retaining walls up to 4 feet. That 4 feet is measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and the exemption ends if the wall holds up extra load, like a slope or driveway above it, or holds back flammable liquids. The city's Planning Division may also need to approve a wall in your front yard setback, the strip between the house and the street, and when the answer isn't clear, we check with the city before we start.
What goes into building a block wall the right way?
It starts below ground, with a footing dug and poured to the plans and steel set in it, because a wall is only as straight as what it sits on. Then the block goes up with steel and grout in the cores, and a cap goes on top. Mortar that's mostly sand and good intentions is how walls end up leaning.
What should I do if something looks wrong after my masonry work is done?
Call us at (951) 462-2880 and tell us what you're seeing. Fine hairline cracks are common as new concrete and mortar dry, and they're a different thing from a joint coming loose or a wall that's moving. We work under one promise, satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Should I choose brick, block or stone for a wall at my house?
Block is the strongest, most practical choice for most walls, brick suits a classic garden wall or an older house, and stone gives the most natural look and costs the most. For a property-line or retaining wall, I'd pick reinforced block, because it takes steel and grout through the cores and you can still cover it with stucco or stone veneer later.
Does a masonry contractor need a City of Riverside business license?
Yes, a business doing business within the City of Riverside needs a valid City Business License, and an older city finance page says companies located outside the city limits may need one too. For current details, the city's Business License Division answers questions about it.
Brick, block and stone work
Describe the wall, chimney or patio you have in mind
Tell us what you need built or fixed, where it is and what you're noticing, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out. The estimate is free with no obligation.