Masonry Contractor in East Lake-Orient Park - Repairs That Fit the Problem
Cornerstone Tampa Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Tampa, FL. We repair brick, mortar and foundations and build block walls, pavers and stone work for homes across East Lake-Orient Park.
Masonry work in East Lake-Orient Park
East Lake-Orient Park sits right up against Tampa on its south and west sides, so it's a short drive for us and the work feels familiar. Calls come from the houses around East Lake, the streets near the Florida State Fairgrounds and the older block and brick homes in between, much like what we see on the other side of town in Town 'n' Country.
Most jobs here are worn mortar, a settled driveway or a homeowner who wants a new wall or walk. The price moves with how much is damaged and what it's built from, and the schedule turns on whether the job needs a permit and inspections, so you'll get your own figure from the estimate once I've seen it. Nearly all of it starts at the ground, because a wall or a drive is only as good as the base and drainage under it.
What we do in East Lake-Orient Park
Foundation repair
When a crack runs up a block wall or a slab corner settles, I check what the soil under it is doing so the fix matches the cause.
Chimney repair
Brick chimneys on older houses here usually lose mortar at the crown and top courses first. We rebuild what's loose and seal the top against water.
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is grinding out worn mortar joints and packing in fresh mortar. On older brick fronts and planters around East Lake, it's often all a wall needs.
Brick repair
A few cracked bricks on a front step or porch wall can be cut out and replaced with brick matched as closely as we can find it.
Driveway pavers
Pavers suit the driveways here because a settled patch can be lifted and relaid instead of torn out, as long as the base under them is packed right.
Retaining wall construction
If your yard slopes toward the lake or a neighbor's lot, the wall holding it needs drainage behind it so water doesn't push it over.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and block homes that have had years of patching get cleaned, repointed and rebuilt in materials that suit the original wall.
Fireplace installation
We build indoor and patio fireplaces in brick or stone to your plan, with the firebox and flue laid out for the space you actually have.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer is a thin stone face set over block or a prepared wall. It dresses up a plain block house front or column without rebuilding anything.
Concrete block walls
Most privacy and property walls we build in this area are concrete block, set on a poured footing and finished with stucco or a cap to match the house.
Foundation block wall installation
Planning an addition or a new structure? We lay foundation block on a footing to the plans, so the walls above start square and level.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Backyards here have room for an outdoor kitchen, and we build the block base, counters and brick or stone facing around the grill you pick.
Walkway construction
A walk from the drive to the front door or around to the back patio can go in brick, pavers or stone, pitched so rain runs off.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden walls, planters and mailbox posts get a proper footing first, because a brick wall is only as straight as what's under it.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone steps, caps and accent walls by hand, fitting each piece so the joints stay tight and the work looks built, not stacked.
Brick pointing
Brick pointing fills the gaps in mortar joints before water gets behind the brick. On the older homes here, it's the small job that heads off a bigger repair.
Talk to us about your masonry
Call (813) 471-5857 or send the form, and I'll come out and give you a free estimate at your property.
Why East Lake-Orient Park homeowners call us
I answer the phone, I come out to look at the job, and I work on it with our crew, so the person who priced it is there when it's built.
The owner writes your estimate
I look at the job myself and write the estimate, then I'm on site with our crew doing the work.
A fix sized to the problem
If a wall needs a few joints, that's the job, and if it's bigger I'll tell you before I leave.
Repairs that match older brick
We match mortar color and brick on older houses so a repair blends into the wall instead of standing out.
Drainage planned for heavy rain
Hillsborough County says heavy rain can flood parts of the county, so we slope walks and pavers and drain behind walls.
In business since 2013
We're licensed and insured, and every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Questions from East Lake-Orient Park homeowners
Do I need a permit for a concrete block wall or fence in East Lake-Orient Park?
Yes, the county says concrete fences need a permit, and it asks owners to call its zoning department about any fence before building. Permits here come from the county's Development Services department, where you apply, upload your documents and book inspections through its HillsGovHub portal. Cutting into a wall or removing a load-bearing support needs a permit too.
Does painting or small repair work need a permit in Hillsborough County?
Painting doesn't, and neither does most cosmetic work like tile, flooring, shelving, cabinets or wallpaper, according to the county. The county also says that under a state bill, non-structural work on a single-family home valued under $7,500 would be exempt, though you still apply for the exemption, and it leaves out structural work and homes partly or fully in a flood hazard area. A lot of masonry repair touches the structure, so ask the county before you count on an exemption.
How do I pull my own permit for masonry work in Hillsborough County?
You can generally pull your own permit as an owner-builder when the house is your primary residence and in your name, according to the county's homeowner permit page. You'll sign an owner-builder disclosure statement, and you can't sell the property for one year after the work is finished. If you'd rather not, we pull the permit, handle the paperwork with whichever office covers your address and line up the inspections.
What happens if masonry work started without a permit in Hillsborough County?
The county says the work has to stop right away, and the owner should email permitting@hcfl.gov about an after-the-fact permit. Keeping on makes the problem more costly to sort out and can bring a citation of up to $500 per violation. If you've got a half-built wall like that, I can look at it and tell you what it'll take to finish it right.
How do I check that a masonry contractor is licensed for East Lake-Orient Park?
Look for a state certified license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which covers work anywhere in Florida, or a county license for unincorporated Hillsborough County. A registered state license only counts where the holder also has a local certificate of competency. Any contractor working in the county also needs a county business tax receipt.
How much does masonry work cost in East Lake-Orient Park?
The price comes down to the size of the job, the materials and what we find once it's open, so I give you a figure after I've seen it. Repointing a few joints costs far less than rebuilding a wall, brick and natural stone usually run higher than block or pavers, and a job that needs a permit adds paperwork and inspections. Call or send the form and I'll come out to price it.
Not on the list? Give us a call
If you see your city below, its page has the local details, and if you don't, call (813) 471-5857, since we work in plenty of cities around Tampa on both sides of the bay.
Ask Cornerstone for your masonry estimate
Call (813) 471-5857 any day of the week until 11 PM, or use the form, and I'll set a time to see the job at your property.