Masonry Contractor in Auburn, CA - Honest Repairs for Foothill Homes
Excel Lincoln Masonry and Concrete is a masonry contractor working in Auburn, CA. We repair brick, stone and chimneys, rebuild the retaining walls that hold up sloped yards, and build new walls, walkways and paver driveways.
- Foundation repair
- Chimney repair
- Tuckpointing
- Brick repair
- Driveway pavers
- Retaining wall construction
- Masonry restoration
- Fireplace installation
- Stone veneer installation
- Concrete block walls
- Foundation block wall installation
- Outdoor kitchen masonry
- Walkway construction
- Brick wall installation
- Stone masonry
- Brick pointing
- Licensed and insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Auburn homes and hillside yards
We're a masonry contractor in Lincoln, CA, and Auburn is one of the foothill cities we drive up to for brick, stone and wall work. Homes near the well-kept Old Town tend to be older, with brick chimneys, stone foundations and mortar patched by a few different hands over the years. Farther from the center, houses spread across hillside lots where steps, terraced beds and retaining walls are part of most properties.
We also work in North Auburn and Granite Bay, and a job here starts the same way, with the ground. On a slope, water and soil push against everything we build or repair, so drainage and footings get planned before the first stone goes down.
Slopes, water and older brick in Auburn
- Hillside lots mean more retaining walls, steps and terraced beds than flat ground, and each one holds back the weight of the soil above it.
- Older brick in Auburn was usually laid with softer mortar, and repointing it with a hard modern mix can crack the brick faces around each joint.
- Water is behind much of what we fix on sloped lots here, because runoff ends up against the lowest wall, step or footing in its path.
Masonry services for Auburn homes and yards
Foundation repair
When a block or brick foundation cracks on a hillside lot, we find out whether the soil moved or water got in before we fix anything.
Chimney repair
Loose top bricks, a cracked crown or stained mortar are the usual chimney signs, and we fix what's failing instead of rebuilding a sound stack.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints on an older Auburn house turn sandy or recessed, we grind out the worn mortar and pack in new mortar matched to the old brick.
Brick repair
Cracked or spalled bricks, the ones with faces flaking off, can usually be cut out and replaced one at a time without touching the rest of the wall.
Driveway pavers
Pavers on a sloped Auburn driveway flex with the ground instead of cracking like a slab, and a sunken spot can be lifted and reset.
Retaining wall construction
Foothill yards lean on their retaining walls, so we build new ones with drainage and a solid footing sized for the soil they hold back.
Masonry restoration
For brick and stone on Auburn's older homes, we clean, repoint and swap damaged pieces for matching ones, so the repair blends with the original work.
Fireplace installation
If you're adding a masonry fireplace or rebuilding a worn-out firebox, we lay it in brick or stone sized to the room and tied to the chimney above.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, a thin stone face set over an existing wall, looks right on foothill homes, and it holds up when the backing and moisture barrier go on first.
Concrete block walls
Block walls work well for property lines and lower retaining runs on hilly lots, and we fill and reinforce the cores so the wall can take the load.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions, garages and crawlspaces, we lay block foundation walls on footings sized for the ground, since hillside soil often changes from one corner to the next.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build outdoor kitchens in block, brick or stone on a level pad, which matters on a sloped backyard where the counters still need to sit flat.
Walkway construction
Walkways and steps on a hillside need a firm base and a way for water to drain off, so we set both before laying brick, stone or pavers.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden walls and entry walls can match an older Auburn house, and we pick the brick and mortar color with you before the first row goes down.
Stone masonry
Dry-stacked and mortared stone walls show up a lot on foothill lots, and we repair or build them with stone that fits what's already on your property.
Brick pointing
If a few joints are cracked or missing mortar, pointing those spots is often all a wall needs, and I'll tell you when a bigger job can wait.
- Request an estimate
Get a free on-site masonry estimate in Auburn
Send us the project address in Auburn and what you're seeing, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I come out myself to look at the work and go over what it needs before I write the estimate, and there's no obligation to book. If you go ahead, I run the job on site with our crew.
(916) 587-8582Masonry questions from Auburn homeowners
Who issues permits for masonry work on a home in Auburn, CA?
If your home is inside Auburn city limits, the City of Auburn Building Division issues building permits, reviews plans and inspects the work against state and local building codes. Homes in unincorporated Placer County go through Placer County Building Services for plan review and inspections, which is why I ask for the project address first. When a job calls for a permit, we pull it with the city or county, set up the inspections and tell you where it stands before work starts.
Does a masonry company need a business license to work in Auburn?
Yes. The city requires a business license for any business located in Auburn or doing business inside its limits, and that includes a company working on your home there. The same city rule has each business pay the city's business license tax, so it's a fair thing to ask about when you compare contractors.
How do I apply for a building permit in Auburn, CA?
For a home inside city limits, you can apply for a building permit online, pay for it and print it in the same place. That system also lets you schedule inspections, upload documents and follow each step of the project. On our jobs that need a permit, we take care of the application and inspections, and you can still follow along.
How much does masonry work cost in Auburn, CA?
The price comes down to how much of the wall, chimney or yard really needs work, how hard it is to reach, and whether the brick or stone has to be matched to what's already there. A slope adds to it when we have to dig in footings, build in drainage or carry material up a hill, and a permit adds steps when the job needs one. You get your own number after I've looked at the work in person and gone over what it needs.
How long does a masonry repair take in Auburn?
A small repair like pointing a few joints or resetting loose brick moves quickly, while a new retaining wall or a chimney rebuild takes longer. The schedule mostly turns on the size of the job, how long matching brick or stone takes to get, and whether a permit means plan review and inspections along the way. I'll tell you which of those apply to your job when I write the estimate.
What causes retaining walls to lean on hillside yards in Auburn?
Water trapped behind the wall is the usual cause, because wet soil pushes much harder than dry soil and a wall with no drainage has no way to let that pressure off. A footing that's too small or sitting on loose fill can let a wall tip too. I find out why it's moving before I suggest a repair or a rebuild, since fixing the face won't stop the push behind it.
Send us your Auburn project and address
We keep hours from 7 AM to 11 PM every day of the week, so you can call (916) 587-8582 after work or send the form whenever you spot the problem.