Services Offered in Chicago, IL
Masonry Contractor Services
Brick, block, and stone repair, repointing, lintel repair, masonry restoration, and new masonry construction for residential and commercial properties throughout Chicago. From vintage greystones in Lakeview to commercial facades in the West Loop, our Chicago crews handle everything from single-family tuckpointing to multi-phase restoration projects for condo associations and property management companies. Every project starts with a thorough assessment of the building envelope to identify the root cause of deterioration, not just a surface-level patch.
Tuckpointing Services
Expert tuckpointing and repointing to restore failing mortar joints on Chicago’s historic and aging masonry buildings. Proper mortar matching is critical: we match lime-based mortars on pre-1920 buildings and modern portland cement mixes on newer construction. Our crews work daily on greystones, two-flats, courtyard buildings, and commercial facades throughout the city, delivering joints that shed water and hold up through harsh Midwest winters.
Chimney Repair & Rebuilding
Chimney inspection, repair, rebuilding, crown repair, cap installation, and chimney waterproofing for Chicago homes and multi-unit buildings. Chicago’s older brick chimneys, common across two-flats in Bridgeport, greystones in Lincoln Park, and vintage six-flats in Rogers Park, are especially vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage and deteriorating mortar. We assess the full chimney structure from cap to flue and address cracking, leaning, and water entry before small issues become costly failures.
Bricklayer Services
Brick repair, replacement, and installation with precise matching of color, size, and bond pattern. Chicago’s building stock includes common brick, Chicago common, pressed brick, and Roman brick, each requiring different sourcing and matching techniques. We maintain the building’s original character on structures 90+ years old, including salvaged brick matching when standard suppliers can’t provide a close enough fit.
Concrete Services
Concrete repair for steps, walkways, porches, patios, driveways, and small structural elements affected by cracking, settlement, or surface wear. Salt damage and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles cause Chicago sidewalks and porch steps to spall and heave. We restore safe, level surfaces that hold up through harsh winters and heavy foot traffic.
Stucco Contractor Services
Stucco repair and restoration for cracked, bulging, or water-damaged exterior surfaces on residential and commercial buildings. Stucco failures in neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village are often caused by trapped moisture behind the finish coat, leading to delamination and structural cracking. We address both the visible damage and the underlying moisture path.
Waterproofing Services
Masonry and foundation waterproofing, sealing, and moisture control solutions designed to reduce water intrusion and protect structures from long-term deterioration. Older Chicago buildings, particularly those with limestone foundations in Old Town and the South Loop, are prone to below-grade moisture problems we resolve with breathable sealants and proper drainage correction.
Building Restoration Services
Restoration of aging and historic masonry facades, including brick repair, mortar replacement, limestone repair, terra cotta restoration, EIFS repairs, and structural reinforcement. We work with property managers, condo associations, and building owners across Chicago to restore facades that meet both structural and historic preservation standards, including projects subject to the Chicago Facade Ordinance.
Why Chicago Property Owners Choose Us
Founded by Les O’Hara in 1978, North Shore Masonry has spent over four decades earning the trust of Chicago property owners, one building at a time. We hold a 4.9-star rating based on hundreds of verified reviews across Google, Yelp, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor. We’re MCAA-certified, carry full liability insurance, and back every project with a 2-year labor and material warranty.
Many of our crews have been with the company for 15+ years. The same experienced tradespeople show up on your job site, not rotating subcontractors. When Roman, Juan, Miguel, or Leo are on your project, they’re working with decades of hands-on masonry experience and a personal stake in the result.
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Certified Member of the Mason Contractor Association of America (MCAA)
"Committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment." - MCAA
Service Areas Around Chicago
We provide masonry services throughout Chicago and surrounding Chicagoland communities. In addition to all Chicago neighborhoods, we serve these surrounding suburbs. Select a location below for area-specific service details.
Core Service Areas
9 locations
Extended Coverage
7 locations
Hear From Some Of Our Customers
Watch Our Chicago Masonry Team in Action
This video highlights the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail our masonry team delivers on every project. Chicago property owners rely on the same proven methods, materials, and quality standards shown here, whether it’s a chimney rebuild in Lakeview or a full facade restoration on a six-flat in Uptown.
FAQs | Chicago, IL Masonry Contractor
What causes masonry damage on Chicago buildings?
Freeze-thaw cycles are the primary cause. Chicago sees over 100 per winter. Water gets into mortar joints and brick pores, freezes, expands, and breaks the material apart from the inside. Add lake-effect moisture, road salt exposure at ground level, and aging lime mortar that’s past its functional life, and you get accelerating deterioration. Greystones and older two-flats in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Bridgeport, and Logan Square are especially susceptible because of their age and original mortar composition.
How do I know if my building needs tuckpointing?
Look at your mortar joints. If you see crumbling, gaps between bricks, sandy residue collecting at the base of the wall, or mortar that you can scrape out with a key, repointing is overdue. Water stains on interior walls near exterior brick are another strong sign. On many Chicago buildings built before 1920, the original lime mortar has eroded well beyond its useful life, and patching over it with the wrong mortar type only makes it worse.
Do you handle chimney repair and rebuilding?
Yes. We repair chimney mortar, rebuild damaged sections, replace chimney crowns, install caps, and apply waterproofing to prevent future damage. Chimneys take the worst weather punishment on any building because they’re fully exposed on all four sides with no shelter. We see heavy deterioration across the North Side, from Rogers Park to Lakeview, and routinely rebuild chimneys on two-flats and six-flats that have gone decades without maintenance.
Can you match existing brick and mortar on older Chicago buildings?
Yes, and this is one of the most important parts of the job. A mismatched repair looks wrong and can actually damage surrounding masonry. We match Chicago common brick, pressed brick, Roman brick, and historic mortar formulations found on pre-war buildings throughout the city. When standard suppliers don’t have the right brick, we source salvaged material to get the closest possible match in color, size, and texture.
What causes water leaks through brick walls?
Open mortar joints are the most common cause. Once the mortar erodes past a certain point, wind-driven rain gets behind the brick face. Deteriorated sealants around windows, damaged chimney components, failed flashing, and unsealed masonry surfaces also contribute. We regularly diagnose and resolve masonry-related leaks for condo associations and property managers in Wicker Park, Uptown, and Streeterville, where multi-unit buildings have complex water entry paths that aren’t always obvious.
Do you work on both residential and commercial buildings?
Yes. We service single-family homes, two-flats, three-flats, multi-unit buildings, condo associations, and commercial properties throughout Chicago. Our team works directly with property management companies, including Kass Management and First Community Management, on multi-phase restoration projects that require phased scheduling, board communication, and detailed project documentation.
Do you replace rusted or failing lintels?
Absolutely. Rusted steel lintels above windows and doors are one of the most common structural masonry issues on Chicago’s aging multi-unit buildings. When a lintel rusts, it expands (a process called rust-jacking), pushing the brickwork above it out of alignment and allowing water in. We remove the failed lintel, install a new coated replacement, reflash the opening, and rebuild the surrounding brickwork to restore full structural support.
How much does masonry repair cost in Chicago?
It depends on the scope. A small tuckpointing job on a single wall section is very different from a full chimney rebuild or a multi-phase facade restoration on a six-flat. We provide free on-site inspections and written estimates so you know exactly what the project involves before any work begins. We’re not the cheapest option, but we deliver the best value: MCAA-certified work backed by a 2-year warranty. Visit our pricing page for realistic cost ranges.
How long do masonry repairs usually take?
Most small to medium repairs (tuckpointing a section of wall, replacing a few bricks, or repairing a chimney crown) take one to two days. Larger restoration projects on six-flats, courtyard buildings, or commercial facades may take one to three weeks depending on scope, weather conditions, and permit requirements. We give you a clear timeline upfront and keep you informed if anything changes.
What Chicago neighborhoods do you serve?
All of them. Our crews work daily across the city and Chicagoland suburbs. You’ll find us regularly in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Hyde Park, Ravenswood, Uptown, Old Town, Streeterville, Bridgeport, the South Loop, Edgewater, Rogers Park, Pilsen, Ukrainian Village, Bucktown, and many more. If your building is in Chicago or a surrounding suburb, we’ll come out and take a look. Request a free estimate.
Helpful Resources for Masonry Work in Chicago
Masonry repairs in Chicago may involve permitting and inspection requirements, especially for structural or exterior work on multi-unit and commercial buildings. These resources can help you understand what’s required before starting a project.
City of Chicago: Department of Buildings
Explains when permits are required and what standards apply to residential and commercial masonry projects in Chicago. Most structural masonry work on buildings over four stories requires a permit.
www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs.html
Chicago Facade Ordinance
Buildings 80 feet or taller are required to undergo periodic facade inspections under Chicago’s building code. If your building falls under this requirement, we can coordinate the inspection and any repair work that results from it.
Chicago Facade Inspection Information
Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
North Shore Masonry is a certified MCAA member. The MCAA sets industry standards for masonry workmanship, safety, and continuing education.