Masonry Contractor in Lake Magdalene, FL - Repairs That Fit the Problem
Cornerstone Tampa Concrete and Masonry repairs brick, mortar and block on Lake Magdalene homes and builds new walls, pavers, walkways and stone work there, with the owner coming out to look at your job.
Masonry work for Lake Magdalene homes
Lake Magdalene is a mostly residential community in Hillsborough County, built around its freshwater lake. I come out from Tampa for jobs there, and we do the same kind of work nearby in Egypt Lake-Leto and in Tampa itself.
A lot of the houses here are brick or concrete block and have been through many Florida summers, so most calls start with a crack, a leak or a joint that's let go. That shapes how we work. We match the old mortar instead of patching over it with whatever's in the truck. We find out why a crack opened before we fill it. When you want something new, like a wall, a walkway or pavers, we build it to plan so it sits right next to what's already there.
What we build and fix in Lake Magdalene
Foundation repair
Cracks in a block foundation or along a slab edge show up on houses here as they age, so we find out what moved before we fix it.
Chimney repair
Brick chimneys on older homes here often have loose bricks or broken joints near the crown, the concrete cap that sheds rain, and we rebuild what's failing.
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is grinding out worn mortar joints and packing in fresh mortar. On brick houses here, it keeps water from working its way behind the wall.
Brick repair
On older brick homes here, a spalled brick, one with its face flaking off, gets cut out and swapped for one close in size and color.
Driveway pavers
Pavers suit the driveways here because a single sunken or cracked paver can be lifted and reset, while a cracked slab means cutting and patching.
Retaining wall construction
Yards that slope toward the lake need a wall that drains, so we put gravel behind the block and weep holes through it to let water out.
Masonry restoration
When a whole brick front or garden wall has aged, we clean it, repoint it and replace the bad units so the house looks like itself again.
Fireplace installation
Fireplaces here get used on the few cool nights a year, indoors or on the patio, so we size the firebox and hearth to the space.
Stone veneer installation
Thin stone veneer over block dresses up a front entry or a column. We leave a drainage gap behind it so rain doesn't get trapped against the wall.
Concrete block walls
For a block privacy wall along a back lot line, we pour a real footing first, then fill the cells with grout and rebar where the wall needs it.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions and new rooms on homes here, we lay the block foundation wall to the plans so the slab and framing above sit level and square.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Covered patios here get a lot of use, so we build block and stone kitchen bases that hold the grill, the counter and the sink.
Walkway construction
A walkway from the driveway to the front door or back to the lanai gets pitched slightly so rainwater runs off instead of puddling.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden walls and planters get laid to match the brick already on your house, so they look like they were part of it from the start.
Stone masonry
Natural stone steps, columns and planter walls go up slower than block, and we set each piece on a solid bed so it stays put.
Brick pointing
Pointing fills open or thin mortar joints on brick steps, sills and walls before water gets in, and it's often all an older home here needs.
Got a masonry job in mind?
Call (813) 471-5857 or ask for an estimate, and I'll come look at the crack, leak or wall myself.
Why Lake Magdalene homeowners call us
I answer the phone, I come out to look, and I'm on site with the crew doing the work, so the person who priced your job is the one building it.
Honest scope on the spot
If a wall needs a few joints, that's the job, and if it's something bigger, I'll tell you before I leave.
Mortar matched to older brick
We're best known for brick and mortar repair on older homes, so the new joints get mixed to match the old.
County permits handled for you
When your job needs a Hillsborough County permit, we pull it, handle the paperwork and line up the inspections.
Licensed and insured since 2013
We've been in business in Tampa since 2013, we're licensed and insured, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
New work built to plan
Block walls, stone and pavers get laid out and built to the plan we agreed on before we start.
Questions from Lake Magdalene homeowners
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Lake Magdalene?
Check with the county first. Hillsborough County issues permits for most construction in Lake Magdalene, and its list of work that needs no permit covers cosmetic jobs like painting, tile and cabinets, not masonry. The county also requires a permit for cutting away a wall or removing a load-bearing support. Ask the county's Development Services about your job, and if it needs a permit, we pull it and line up the inspections.
How do I pull my own permit for a project on my Lake Magdalene home?
Florida law generally lets you act as your own contractor if the house is in your name and it's your primary residence. Per the county's homeowner permit page, you have to provide an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, and you can't sell the property for one year from the date the work is finished. Applications and documents go through the county's HillsGovHub portal. If you'd rather not take that on, we pull the permit as your contractor.
Does the House Bill 803 permit exemption cover my masonry project?
It can, but only for non-structural work on a single-family home valued under $7,500. It doesn't cover structural work, jobs of $7,500 or more, or property that sits partly or fully in a flood hazard area. Even when it applies, you or your contractor still apply through HillsGovHub with papers showing the scope and value of the work. Look up your lot on the county's flood maps before you count on it, and I'll tell you at the estimate whether your job is structural.
How much does masonry work cost in Lake Magdalene?
Your price depends on the size of the job, the material and how much has to come out before new work goes in, and I write up your figure after I've looked at it. Repairing usually costs less than rebuilding, so redoing a few joints runs well below replacing a wall, and brick or natural stone costs more than block. Backyard access, a permit when the job needs one and the summer rains also affect the price and the start date.
What is the best way to plan masonry work around Lake Magdalene's rainy season?
Plan around June through September, because the Tampa area gets several times more rain in those months than in the rest of the year, along with its hottest days. Fresh mortar and concrete don't do well in a downpour or when they dry too fast in hard sun, so in summer we start early, watch for the afternoon storms and cover new work. The drier months are easier for big new builds. A repair that's letting water in shouldn't wait for them.
How do I check that a masonry contractor can work in Lake Magdalene?
Ask whether they're licensed with the county's Building Services, which licenses contractors to work in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Anyone who contracts to build, alter or repair buildings in the county also needs a business tax receipt from the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. State-certified contractors have passed a state certification exam on top of that. Ask any contractor, us included, which of these they hold.
Working somewhere else near Lake Magdalene?
If your city is listed below, its page covers the work there. If it isn't, call (813) 471-5857 and ask, since we work around Tampa on both sides of the bay.
Get your Lake Magdalene masonry estimate
We answer the phone seven days a week until 11 PM, so call (813) 471-5857 after work or send the form tonight.