About JS Masonry Inc
Who we are, what we do, and how we work with Massachusetts homeowners.
What does JS Masonry Inc do?
JS Masonry Inc is a licensed and insured masonry contractor that designs and builds complete outdoor living spaces — pool patios, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fire pits, seating walls and pergola or gazebo bases — and also builds and repairs chimneys, installs natural stone and brick veneer, lays brick and bluestone patios and walkways, constructs stone retaining walls, and performs stucco, repointing and masonry waterproofing. We serve both residential and commercial clients in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
All work is residential-focused and performed by our own crews — we do not subcontract the masonry itself. Founder Juliano has led the company since 2004 and is on site for estimates and key stages of every project.
How long has JS Masonry been in business?
JS Masonry has been building and restoring masonry in Massachusetts for over 20 years, with more than 1,000 completed projects since 2004.
Is JS Masonry licensed and insured?
Yes. JS Masonry Inc is fully licensed and insured for residential and commercial masonry construction, restoration and repair in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. A certificate of insurance is provided on request before work begins.
What is outdoor living design, and does JS Masonry do it?
Outdoor living design is planning and building your backyard as one connected living area — patio or pool surround, outdoor kitchen, fireplace or fire pit, seating walls, lighting and a pergola or gazebo — rather than adding disconnected pieces over time. It is JS Masonry's specialty across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
We start with a layout of your property, plan grades and drainage before any stone is set, then build each element in natural stone, brick or bluestone so the whole space ages together and survives New England freeze-thaw cycles.
- Pool patios and pool surrounds
- Outdoor kitchens, grill stations and bars
- Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and pizza ovens
- Pergola, gazebo and pavilion bases
- Seating and retaining walls with integrated lighting
Does JS Masonry take on commercial masonry projects?
Yes. Alongside residential work, JS Masonry builds and restores commercial masonry and hardscaping — storefronts and facades, restaurant and hotel patios, stairs, walkways, retaining walls and property restoration — in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Do you do the work yourselves or use subcontractors?
Every masonry task — chimney work, veneer, patios, fireplaces and restoration — is performed by JS Masonry's own trained crew, supervised directly by the owner.
Do you offer a warranty on your masonry work?
Yes. JS Masonry warrants its workmanship in writing, and manufacturer warranties on materials such as stone veneer, pavers and waterproofing products are passed through to the homeowner.
Estimates, pricing & scheduling
How our quotes work, what drives cost, and how fast we respond.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. Every JS Masonry project starts with a free on-site consultation and a written, no-obligation estimate. Call (508) 816-6816 or request one online and we respond within 24 hours.
How fast will I hear back after requesting an estimate?
JS Masonry responds to every estimate request within 24 hours, and most on-site visits are scheduled within the same week.
How much does masonry work cost in Massachusetts?
Masonry cost depends on scope, access and material. In Massachusetts, chimney repointing typically starts in the low thousands, a full chimney rebuild is a mid-four-figure to five-figure project, and patios and stone veneer are priced by square foot after an on-site measurement.
We do not quote masonry by phone or by photo alone, because access, existing structure condition and drainage change the real cost substantially. The on-site estimate is free, itemized and fixed in writing.
- Scope and square footage of the work
- Material selection — brick, bluestone, granite, natural or manufactured veneer, pavers
- Condition of the existing structure and how much demolition is needed
- Site access for materials, staging and scaffolding
- Drainage, footings and frost-depth requirements
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A deposit secures your spot on the schedule and covers material ordering, with the balance tied to clearly defined project milestones in your written contract.
What time of year is best for masonry work in New England?
April through November is ideal for masonry in Massachusetts, because mortar needs temperatures consistently above 40°F to cure properly. We book spring and summer projects months in advance, so requesting an estimate early secures a better date.
How long does a masonry project take?
Most residential masonry projects take 2 to 10 working days: a chimney crown or cap replacement is often 1-2 days, repointing 2-4 days, a patio 3-7 days, and a full chimney rebuild or large stone veneer facade 1-3 weeks.
Chimneys
Repair versus rebuild, warning signs, and what a proper chimney job includes.
Do you repair chimneys or only rebuild them?
Both. JS Masonry repoints deteriorated joints, rebuilds the top courses, replaces crowns, caps and flashing, relines flues, and performs full top-down chimney rebuilds and new chimney construction.
How do I know if my chimney needs repair?
Common signs a chimney needs masonry repair are crumbling or missing mortar joints, spalling or flaking bricks, a cracked crown, white efflorescence staining, rust on the damper, water stains on ceilings near the chimney, and any visible lean.
- Mortar you can scratch out with a screwdriver
- Brick faces flaking, popping or shedding grit
- Cracked or missing chimney crown or cap
- Water stains on the ceiling or in the firebox
- Loose or rusted flashing where the chimney meets the roof
Should I repoint or rebuild my chimney?
Repointing is right when the bricks are sound and only the mortar has failed. A rebuild is required when bricks are spalling, the structure is leaning, or deterioration extends deeper than the outer joints — usually above the roofline first, in a partial rebuild.
How often should a masonry chimney be repointed?
A Massachusetts masonry chimney typically needs repointing every 20 to 30 years, and sooner if it is exposed to heavy wind-driven rain or has previously been repaired with the wrong mortar mix.
Why does my chimney leak when it rains?
Chimney leaks almost always come from a cracked crown, failed flashing, missing cap, or porous brick and mortar absorbing water. JS Masonry diagnoses the actual entry point and repairs it, rather than sealing over the symptom.
Stone veneer, patios & walls
Materials, durability, and how we build for New England freeze-thaw cycles.
What is the difference between natural and manufactured stone veneer?
Natural stone veneer is quarried stone cut thin, offering unmatched depth and lifetime durability. Manufactured veneer is molded concrete that costs less and weighs less. Both are installed over a proper drainage plane, and JS Masonry installs either.
How long does a brick or bluestone patio last?
A properly built brick or bluestone patio lasts 30 to 50 years or more in Massachusetts when installed over a compacted, well-drained base below frost depth with correctly set edge restraints.
Why do patios and walkways sink or heave in Massachusetts?
Settling and heaving are caused by an inadequate base, poor drainage or insufficient compaction — water freezes below the surface and lifts the stone. JS Masonry excavates to the correct depth and compacts in lifts so freeze-thaw cycles cannot move the surface.
Do you build retaining walls?
Yes. We build natural stone, block and mortared retaining walls with engineered drainage, geogrid reinforcement where required, and proper batter so the wall holds its line for decades.
Can you build an outdoor fireplace or fire pit?
Yes. JS Masonry designs and builds wood-burning and gas outdoor fireplaces, chimneys, pizza ovens and fire pits with firebrick fireboxes, and can integrate them into a new or existing patio.
Can you match existing brick or stone on my house?
Yes. We source brick, stone and mortar to match the color, texture, size and joint profile of your existing masonry so repairs and additions blend rather than stand out.
Restoration & waterproofing
Historic masonry, repointing, stucco and keeping water out.
Do you work on historic or older homes?
Yes. JS Masonry restores older New England masonry using soft, lime-based mortar mixes compatible with historic brick, which prevents the brick damage caused by modern high-Portland mortar.
What is efflorescence and is it a problem?
Efflorescence is the white powdery deposit left when water travels through masonry and carries salts to the surface. The staining itself is cosmetic, but it signals that water is moving through the wall and should be investigated.
Does masonry need to be sealed or waterproofed?
Exposed chimneys, foundations and older brick benefit from a vapor-permeable masonry water repellent, which blocks liquid water while still letting the wall dry. Non-breathable sealers trap moisture and cause spalling, so we never use them.
Do you repair stucco?
Yes. We patch, re-coat and fully re-stucco walls and chimneys, correcting the underlying cracking or moisture cause before the new finish goes on.
Can you fix a crumbling foundation wall or basement steps?
Yes. JS Masonry repairs and rebuilds foundation parging, block and stone foundation walls, bulkheads, and brick or granite steps and stoops.
Service area & logistics
Where we work and what to expect while we're on site.
What areas does JS Masonry serve?
JS Masonry serves homeowners and businesses throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island — including Greater Boston, MetroWest, the North Shore, the South Shore, Worcester County, Cape Cod, southern New Hampshire and the Providence and Newport areas.
- Greater Boston — Boston, Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville
- MetroWest — Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Needham, Marlborough, Ashland
- North Shore — Peabody, Danvers, Beverly, Salem, Andover
- South Shore — Quincy, Braintree, Hingham, Plymouth
- Worcester County and Cape Cod
- New Hampshire — Nashua, Salem, Manchester, Portsmouth and southern NH
- Rhode Island — Providence, Newport and surrounding towns
Do you handle permits?
When a project requires a building permit — most structural chimneys, fireplaces and larger retaining walls — JS Masonry pulls and manages the permit with your town's building department.
Will my property be protected during the work?
Yes. We tarp landscaping and walkways, stage materials on protective boards, contain dust and debris daily, and leave the site broom-clean at the end of every workday.
Do I need to be home while you work?
No. Most exterior masonry work requires no interior access, so you don't need to take time off. We confirm the plan up front and send progress updates.
How do I get started?
Call (508) 816-6816 or submit the online estimate form. You'll hear back within 24 hours to schedule a free on-site consultation and receive a written, itemized estimate.
