Masonry Contractor in San Rafael, CA - Sound Mortar, Solid Walls and Steady Steps
Optimum Novato Concrete and Masonry repairs old brick, chimneys and mortar in San Rafael and builds the walls and paving around them. I come out to every job myself, and our masons do the work with me.
Masonry work on San Rafael houses
San Rafael is the next city south of us, and a lot of the calls we get here are about older houses: a chimney shedding mortar onto the roof, brick front steps that have started to rock, a stone wall in a sloped back yard leaning a little further every year. Closer to downtown it's brick and stone that's been repointed a few times. Some of those patches were done in cement hard enough to outlast the brick around them, which is the wrong way round. On the newer streets it's more block walls, paver driveways and patios. We're based in Novato and work across Marin and the cities around it, from San Anselmo up through Petaluma, so the same crew and the same habits come with us.
Here the ground matters as much as the house. On a sloped lot a wall or a set of steps is only as good as its footing and the way water gets out from behind it, and that's what moves the price most, along with access and how much old work has to come out first. The schedule usually turns on whether the city wants a permit, and I'll give you your own figure when I come out.
What we do for San Rafael homes
Foundation repair
Older San Rafael houses often sit on brick or block foundations that have cracked or settled, and we look for the cause before we patch the crack.
Chimney repair
Chimneys on older homes here usually fail at the top, where a cracked crown lets water into the brick. We rebuild what's loose and repoint the rest.
Tuckpointing
When joints on a brick house front go sandy, we rake them out and refill with mortar that's softer than the brick and close in color.
Brick repair
Brick front steps and planters on San Rafael's older houses tend to loosen at the edges first. We reset or replace the loose brick and match what's there.
Driveway pavers
Steep driveways here need pavers on a deep, well-packed base with solid edging, or they creep downhill. That base is where we spend most of the job.
Retaining wall construction
On a sloped San Rafael back yard, a wall usually fails from the water behind it, so every wall we build gets drainage and a proper footing.
Masonry restoration
For older brick and stone you want kept rather than replaced, we clean it gently, repair what's broken and repoint with mortar that suits its age.
Fireplace installation
Adding a masonry fireplace to a living room or patio here starts with what's under it, since a firebox and chimney need a footing that can carry them.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer works well on the stucco and block walls common on newer houses here, as long as the wall behind it is prepped to shed water.
Concrete block walls
Block walls along San Rafael property lines are a common call. We fill the hollow cores and add steel where it's needed, so the wall stays straight.
Foundation block wall installation
When an older house or a new addition here needs a block foundation wall, we lay it reinforced on a footing sized for the load.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Outdoor kitchens on San Rafael patios get a block base finished in brick or stone, with the grill and utility runs planned before we start.
Walkway construction
Walkways on sloped lots here usually need a step or two built in, plus a base that drains so the brick or stone stays flat.
Brick wall installation
A new brick garden or front wall should look like it belongs to the house, so we match the brick and the joint style to what's there.
Stone masonry
Old stone walls and stone steps turn up in plenty of San Rafael yards. We rebuild the slumped sections and lay new stone that sits well beside the old.
Brick pointing
Small runs of failed joints, around a step or a sill, don't need the whole wall redone. We fill just those joints before water gets behind them.
Talk to us about your masonry
Call (628) 209-1088 or ask for a free in-person estimate, and I'll come look at the job myself.
Why San Rafael homeowners call us
Most people call us because something is crumbling, cracking or leaning. You get a straight answer from me on site, and the parts nobody sees later get the most care.
The owner on every visit
I come out to look at every San Rafael job myself, and my crew of masons does the work with me.
Mortar matched to old brick
We mix mortar to suit the age of the brick, so the joint wears out before the brick does.
Base work you won't see
We dig out and pack the base under pavers, walkways and steps, because that's what keeps them flat years later.
A straight answer first
If a crack is only cosmetic, I'll tell you so, and if a wall has to come down, I'll say that too.
Licensed, insured, since 2017
We're fully licensed and insured, in business since 2017, with satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
San Rafael masonry questions
Who issues building permits for masonry work in San Rafael?
The city's Building Safety Division issues building permits for work that builds, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves or demolishes a building, which can include foundation, chimney and fireplace work on your house. Since February 23, 2026, new applications go through the city's OpenGov system, and inspections are scheduled there too. If your job needs a permit, we pull it and deal with the city for you.
How do I know if a retaining wall in San Rafael needs a permit?
The city's older permit handout exempts retaining walls no taller than 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless the wall holds back extra weight like a driveway or a slope above it, or holds flammable liquids. Because the footing counts, a wall that looks 3 feet tall from the yard can be over that line. The city has the final say, and I'll tell you what I know when I come out and measure.
Does a brick or block garden wall in San Rafael need a building permit?
The city's older handout exempts fences up to 7 feet high from a building permit, though they may still need Planning review or approval, and the city decides whether a masonry wall counts as one. Work that needs no building permit can still come with conditions from Planning, Fire Prevention or Public Works. That's worth settling before you pick a height.
How long does a building permit stay valid in San Rafael?
A San Rafael building permit issued after January 1, 2023 is good for 2 years, and minor permits for only 180 days. If the work hasn't passed its final inspection by then, the city charges a renewal fee, so it pays to start soon after the permit is issued.
How much does masonry work cost in San Rafael?
Your price comes down to how much old work has to come out, what's under it and how easy it is to get material to the spot. Matching old brick and mortar, a deeper base, drainage behind a wall and a permit all add to it, while plain materials and an easy-to-reach site bring it down. I'll give you a figure for your job once I've seen it.
Does a masonry contractor need a San Rafael business license?
Yes, most businesses working in San Rafael have to register for a city business license and pay a tax, even when their office is outside city limits. The city is clear that the license is a tax, not proof the holder knows the trade, so ask any contractor how long they've done this kind of work and look at jobs they've finished.
Outside San Rafael? Give us a call
Pick your city below for its own page, or call (628) 209-1088 if it isn't listed, because we work in more cities than these.
Get a mason's eye on your San Rafael job
Call (628) 209-1088 any day of the week, 8 AM to 9 PM, or use the form if you'd rather write it down.