Foundation repair
We repair cracked and crumbling masonry at the base of a house, and we tell you plainly which part we can only judge once the soil beside it is dug out.
Masonry contractor in Tustin, CA - brick, block and stone work done properly
Optimum Yorba Linda Concrete & Masonry builds and repairs brick, block and stone work for homeowners in Tustin, CA, from repointing worn mortar joints to new garden walls, walkways and retaining walls, with our own crew of masons.
What masonry work in Tustin usually involves
We're a masonry contractor based in Yorba Linda, CA, and Tustin is one of the cities around it where we work, along with Irvine and Santa Ana. The houses here aren't all of a kind, and the work follows them. Near Old Town, where the Main Street buildings go back to the 1880s, older brick usually needs careful repair and repointing, while the newer homes in Tustin Legacy, which carries over into Irvine, tend to call for new block walls, paver driveways and outdoor kitchens.
The price is mostly moved by the size of the job, the material you choose and how much digging and footing work the ground needs, along with how easily we can get block and mortar to the spot. On repairs, some of it only shows once the old mortar or block is opened up. The schedule turns on whether the city needs plans and a permit first, and once a permit is issued it stays good for 180 days, or until the project is done while work keeps moving, so we plan to start soon after. When I come out, I'll look at the work and write the estimate, so you have your own figure to consider.
We check with the city first
Tustin's Building Division issues building permits and inspects the work. I check with them before we begin, and when a permit is needed, we handle the paperwork and schedule the inspections.
Our own crew, checked by me
Our crew of masons and helpers does the work, and I'm on site to check it, because a mason's name stays on every wall long after we've packed up.
Licensed, insured and tidy daily
We're licensed and insured, and we clean up properly at the end of each day, so your driveway and yard are clear between workdays while the job is underway.
Masonry services we offer homeowners in Tustin
Chimney repair
Loose top bricks, a cracked concrete cap and washed-out joints are what we usually find on older chimneys in Tustin, and we rebuild or repoint only what's failing.
Tuckpointing
On older brick fronts, we cut out worn joints, refill them in a color matched to the brick, then add a thin contrasting line so the wall reads crisp again.
Brick repair
When a few bricks have cracked, flaked or come loose, we cut them out and set the closest match we can find, so the repair blends in rather than standing out.
Driveway pavers
We dig out the old surface, compact a gravel base and lay pavers with a firm edge, because a driveway carries cars and a thin base is what lets pavers sink.
Retaining wall construction
On sloped back yards we build block and stone retaining walls with drainage behind them, because water trapped against a wall is usually what pushes it out of line.
Masonry restoration
For older brick and stone, we clean, repair and repoint with mortar soft enough to suit the original, so the wall keeps its character and the old brick isn't damaged.
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces, from the firebox to the surround, and lay out the hearth and face with you first so the finished fireplace suits the room.
Stone veneer installation
We set thin stone over block walls, chimneys and house fronts on a proper wire and mortar base, since veneer holds only as well as what's behind it.
Concrete block walls
We build block walls for property lines and side yards on a poured footing, with steel and grout where the height calls for it, then finish them with a cap or stucco.
Foundation block wall installation
We lay block foundation walls for additions, garages and raised areas, setting the footing and reinforcing to the approved plans so the inspector sees work that matches them.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the block base for grills, counters and bars, then face it in brick, stone or stucco, leaving openings where your gas, power or water lines will run.
Walkway construction
We lay paths in concrete, brick or pavers from the driveway to the door or out to the back yard, sloping each one slightly so rain runs off instead of pooling.
Brick wall installation
We build brick garden walls, planters and pillars on solid footings, laying each row level and true, because a brick wall shows every bit of care that went into it.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone for walls, steps, pillars and borders, fitting each piece by hand so the joints stay tight and the finished wall looks settled rather than stacked.
Brick pointing
Where mortar between bricks has gone sandy or cracked, we rake out the loose joints and refill them with matching mortar, which keeps water out before bricks start to loosen.
Get a free estimate for your Tustin project
Send us a few lines about your project and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I'll come out, look at the work with you and write a free estimate, with no obligation.
A look at the actual site
I measure the wall or area, check the ground and how we'd get to it, and tell you what we'd only know once it's open, so the estimate fits your property.
A plain word on materials
If brick, block or stone would each work, I'll tell you how they differ in look and upkeep, and which I'd choose for your house and why.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
That's our promise on every job, and before we start I'll show you what the finished work should look like, so we agree on it from the first day.
Tustin masonry permits and planning questions
These are the questions Tustin homeowners usually ask us about permits and planning before a wall, patio or walkway goes in.
Do I need a permit to build a block or brick wall in Tustin?
Yes, once the wall is taller than 3 feet. The city's permit FAQ says fences over 3 feet above finished grade need a permit and a plot plan showing boundary lines and setbacks. An older City guide exempts walls of 3 feet or less and planter boxes under 24 inches, so I check the current rule with the Building Division first.
When does a retaining wall in Tustin need a grading permit?
The city requires a grading permit when more than 50 cubic yards of earth is moved, when one foot of fill is used, or when digging into a slope leaves a cut taller than 5 feet. The application needs grading plans and preliminary soil reports, so on a larger slope that comes before we dig, and we handle the paperwork and schedule the inspections.
Does a concrete patio or walkway in Tustin need a permit?
An older City guide exempts open, unroofed concrete patio slabs, driveways and walks no more than 30 inches above grade, as long as they don't sit over a basement or a story below. A cover changes that, since the city's FAQ says solid cover and lattice patios need a building permit. I confirm the current rule with the Building Division before we pour.
How do I pay Tustin building permit fees safely?
Pay only through the city's Citizen Self Service portal or in person at the City Hall Finance counter, the two ways Tustin takes permit fees, as its permits page explains. The city says permit-fee fraud is on the rise and that it asks for no bank routing number or wire number, so treat any request for one as a warning sign.
Cities where we do masonry work
These are the cities with their own page on our site, and they aren't the only places we work. If yours isn't listed, please call or send us a message and ask.
Tell us about your Tustin project
Call (714) 386-7680 any day until 10 PM, or send the form with a photo so I arrive knowing what to look at.