Foundation repair
We find out why the foundation cracked or settled before we fix it, because patching a crack that's still moving just means a new crack next year.
Classic Chino Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Chino, CA, and we repair and build brick, block and stone work in Covina, from cracked walls and worn mortar joints to new walls, walkways and fireplaces.

Covina is an easy drive from our base in Chino, and the calls we get there sound a lot like home. People ask about block walls between yards that have started to lean, brick planters and front steps with crumbling joints, and chimneys that have been patched more than once. Plenty of folks mix Covina up with West Covina next door, and that matters more than it sounds, because Covina's building office only handles addresses inside the City of Covina.
What moves the price is how much of the masonry is really failing, what's causing it, how close we can get to it, and how hard the brick or stone is to match. The schedule usually turns on how long the city's approvals take when a job needs them, and the estimate is where you'll get the numbers for your own job. On older houses the work often starts with figuring out what the last patch was hiding, because that's usually where the real problem is.
I come out to look at the job and write the estimate, then our own crew does the work while I check on it as it goes, so the person who quoted it watches it get built.
When a job needs a permit, we apply for it and plan the work around the city's inspections. If it isn't clear whether one is needed, we check with the building office before we start.
We're licensed and insured, and that counts here because Covina asks any contractor pulling a permit to show a state license pocket card, workers' comp proof and a current city business license.
We find out why the foundation cracked or settled before we fix it, because patching a crack that's still moving just means a new crack next year.
Loose bricks, cracked crowns and washed-out mortar near the top of the chimney get rebuilt, so water stops working its way down into the firebox and the attic.
We grind out worn mortar joints and pack in fresh mortar matched in color, so the wall sheds water again and the new joints blend in with the old.
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks get cut out and replaced with brick matched as closely as we can find, so the repair doesn't stand out on your house.
We dig out, pack a solid base and lay pavers with an edge that holds them in, since a driveway carrying cars fails from the base up, not the surface down.
We build retaining walls with drainage behind them, because water trapped against a wall is what usually pushes it over in the end, long before the block gives out.
Older brick and stone get cleaned gently, repointed and repaired piece by piece, so we keep as much of the original masonry as is still sound and worth saving.
We build brick and stone fireplaces and surrounds, laying out the firebox, hearth and face so the fireplace works the way it should and looks right in the room.
We put up stone veneer on walls, columns and fireplace faces over a proper base, so the stone stays put and water doesn't get trapped behind it.
Block walls between yards and along property lines go up on a real footing, with steel and grout where the wall needs them, so they stay straight for years.
We lay block foundation walls and stem walls for additions, garages and outbuildings, keeping them level and square so everything built on top starts out right.
We build the block or brick base, counters and grill surround for outdoor kitchens, planning room for gas, power and doors before the first course goes down.
Front walks and side-yard paths in brick, pavers, stone or concrete get built on a packed base and sloped, so rain runs off instead of sitting on them.
New brick garden walls, planters and screen walls go up on a solid footing, with brick picked to match your house or to stand on its own.
We set natural stone for walls, steps, planters and accents, fitting each piece by hand so the finished work looks settled into the yard instead of stacked.
When a few joints are cracked or missing, we point them with mortar softer than the brick, so over time the mortar wears away instead of the brick itself.
Send us your address and what's going on with the wall, chimney or walk. We reply within one business day to set a time, and I come out myself to look and write the estimate, with no obligation.
The estimate costs nothing and happens on site, because I'd rather see the wall, the joints and the ground around them than guess at the problem from a photo.
You get the estimate and my reasons for what I'd do, and what happens next is your call. Compare it, sleep on it, or ask me more questions first.
Our own crew does the work instead of a hired-out one, and the job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, so you know who to call if something isn't right.
Here are a few questions that come up before masonry work starts in Covina, with what the city and the state actually say.
You can check it with the city's address jurisdiction lookup, because Covina has 11 county pockets where Los Angeles County handles planning and building. A Covina address, even one served by Covina Water, can still sit in one. If yours does, LA County Public Works issues the permit, and we plan the job around their process.
Yes, Covina requires a Planning Wall and Fence approval for every wall and fence, no matter its height or where it sits, and the building permit comes after that. Retaining walls and any wall over 6 feet also need structural plans. We build that review into the schedule from the first visit, so you aren't surprised by the wait.
The Contractors State License Board says a down payment can be no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. After that, payments should be listed in the contract and tied to work done or materials delivered, and the board says this applies to all home improvement projects. It's also where you can check any contractor's license.
Besides Covina, we work in the cities listed here, all within reach of our base in Chino. If you don't see your city, call (909) 479-6261 and ask.
With the address and a short note on the work, I can sort out which office handles it before I come out to look.