Masonry contractor in Perris, CA - cracks traced to their cause and fixed
E&M Lake Elsinore Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor working in Perris, CA. We build block walls, retaining walls, pavers and outdoor kitchens, and we repair cracked foundations, chimneys and brick after working out why they failed.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Perris homes and yards as we find them
For our kind of work, Perris is really two places. The blocks around downtown and the old Santa Fe depot hold older houses with brick chimneys, porches and planters. The tract neighborhoods spread across the flat valley floor have stucco fronts and a block wall on nearly every property line. It's a lot like the jobs we see next door in Menifee and Mead Valley, and the lots get bigger and the ground more open the farther you get from the center.
That split decides how I start. On a tract wall I'm usually tracing why a long run of block has started to lean or crack. On an older house it's more often brick and mortar that have simply worn out, and that calls for a different fix.
Masonry work we do across Perris
Foundation repair
When a Perris foundation wall shows a stair-step crack or a slab edge drops, we find what moved it before deciding what to fix.
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys on houses near downtown Perris often loosen at the cap and the top few rows of brick, and we rebuild what's failing instead of the whole stack.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints on an older Perris porch or planter go sandy, we grind out the worn mortar and pack in fresh before water works behind the brick.
Brick repair
Sprinklers soaking the same wall and cars backing too close usually crack or flake brick here, and we replace only the damaged pieces with a close match.
Driveway pavers
Wide driveways on newer Perris tracts take a lot of sun and car traffic, and pavers laid on a well-packed base hold up and lift out for repair.
Retaining wall construction
Back-of-lot slopes are common in Perris, and we build retaining walls with drainage behind them so water drains out instead of pushing on the block.
Masonry restoration
For stained, patched brick and stone on older Perris homes, we clean it, redo the worn mortar and fix broken pieces until it reads as one wall again.
Fireplace installation
A brick or stone fireplace gives a Perris living room or patio a place to gather, and we size the firebox and chimney so smoke draws up properly.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer brings some texture to the plain stucco on many Perris tract homes, and we set it over a backing that lets trapped moisture drain out.
Concrete block walls
Block walls divide most Perris yards, and we build new ones and fix leaning or cracked runs, starting with the concrete footing they sit on.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions, garages and raised floors on Perris properties, we lay foundation block walls on a solid footing so the structure above has something level to sit on.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Plenty of Perris backyards have room for an outdoor kitchen, and we build the block base, counters and stone or stucco finish around your grill and storage.
Walkway construction
Side yards on Perris lots often stay dirt, and we build walkways in pavers, brick, stone or concrete so the path to the gate or patio stays firm.
Brick wall installation
For an entry or garden wall that stands apart from the gray block on most Perris streets, we lay brick on a solid footing with joints shaped to shed water.
Stone masonry
Natural stone suits the rocky hills around Perris, and we build stone walls, columns and steps with every piece set to carry its share of the load.
Brick pointing
When only a few joints near the ground or a downspout have cracked or dropped out, we refill just those with fresh mortar matched in color and strength.
Get an estimate for your Perris masonry work
Send the form or call, and we'll get back to you within one business day. Then I come out, look at the work up close and give you a free estimate on site, with no pressure to book.
(951) 579-7076- Based in
- Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
- Hours
- Mon–Sun: 6 AM–11 PM
Permits, licenses and what we know about working in Perris
Building permits in Perris come from the city's Building & Safety Division, which handles new construction, additions and alterations, so on a permit job our crew starts once it's approved and we plan the work around its inspections. Two things are worth checking on any contractor here, a California license from the Contractors State License Board and a current City of Perris business license, which the city requires before a business works here and which only counts inside city limits. We're fully licensed and insured, and on my first visit I check whether your address is inside the city or under the county, because that decides whose rules your job follows. What moves the price and the schedule is usually what's behind the problem, how much wall or foundation it reaches and whether permits are part of it, and I'll give you your own figure on site.
We've worked out of Lake Elsinore since 2013, and Highway 74 makes Perris an easy run for a crew truck and a load of block or brick. Closer to home, we do the same work in Lakeland Village along the lakeshore.
Why Perris walls and foundations crack and wear
Perris summers run hot and dry, winter nights get cold, and most of the year's little rain comes in late winter, so masonry here swells and shrinks for months and then gets soaked all at once. That shows up as hairline cracks in block walls, mortar that turns sandy and caps that work loose. We look for where water is getting in before we patch anything, because a patch over a wet crack usually opens right back up.
The other thing we see over and over is sprinklers and planters set right against block walls and foundations, which keeps the base wet, leaves white crust on the block and can let a footing settle. Often the fix starts with moving the water, and I'll tell you so before I quote any masonry.
What to expect when you call us about a Perris job
From your first call to the last walk-through, here's what happens and who you'll be dealing with at each step.
Call us or send the form
Tell us what you've noticed, a crack, a leaning wall or something new you want built, and roughly where it is on the property. We'll set a time for me to come out.
I come out and look
I look at the work up close, ask what you've seen and when it started, and give you a price right there before anything is agreed. It helps if you're home for this part, because you know the history of the house better than anyone.
Sort out permits, then build
If the job needs a permit, we take care of the paperwork with the office that covers your address and plan the work around its inspections. A lead mason runs our crew on site the whole way through.
Walk through it together
When the crew's finished, I come back and walk through the work with you before we call it done. Ask about anything you see, because that walk is there for you.
Questions about masonry work in Perris
Do I need a permit to build a block wall or retaining wall in Perris?
Foundation repairs and taller retaining walls need a permit in Perris, while a short retaining wall is on the city's homeowner permit list of work that doesn't. Block yard walls are less clear-cut, because the city's lists exempt fences under a set height and one of them names only wood fences, so we check a block wall with the city before we build it. The city also says a project with no construction permit may still need some other kind of city review.
Does a masonry contractor need a state license in Perris, CA?
Yes, in most cases, because the state licensing board requires a license when a project needs a building permit, uses any other workers, or when the labor and materials on its contracts add up to $1,000 or more. A bigger project can't be split into smaller contracts to get under that $1,000 line. We're fully licensed and insured, and you're welcome to ask about it before you hire us.
How much does masonry work cost in Perris, CA?
The cost of masonry work in Perris comes down to what's actually failing and how much of it there is, so I price each job on site after I've looked at it. One bad section of block wall costs far less than a rebuilt run, which is why I look for the cause before I quote instead of pricing the biggest fix. Height and length, finishes like stone veneer or a brick cap, how easy the yard is to get into, and whether permits and inspections are needed all move the number up or down.
How do I find out if fire zone rules apply to my home in Perris?
Look up your address on the city's fire hazard maps, which class areas as Very High, High or Moderate. New construction and major renovations in a mapped High or Very High zone have to meet Wildland-Urban Interface building codes, and homes in a Very High zone also face stricter home hardening standards and defensible space clearance. We check the map for your address before we plan an outdoor kitchen, fireplace or addition, since those rules can change what goes into the build.
What causes cracks in block walls and foundations in Perris?
Water and ground movement cause most of them, and a draft of the city's safety plan notes that Perris sits near seismically active areas, so some small shifting over the years is expected. What matters is whether a crack is old and stable or still moving, and I read that from its width, its shape and whether the two sides still line up. A stair-step crack that keeps widening usually points to the footing, while a fine straight one is often just the block shrinking, and sorting out which is the part of this work I enjoy most.
How long does it take to fix a cracked foundation or wall in Perris?
The schedule mostly turns on what's causing the damage and whether the repair needs a permit, and foundation repairs in Perris do, which adds city review and inspections to the calendar. Once the cause is clear and any permit is approved, I can tell you how many days the crew will need at your house.
Lake Elsinore, CA
Tell us what's cracking at your Perris home
Cracks in block and brick usually grow wider and costlier the longer water keeps working into them, so call (951) 579-7076 or send the form, describe what you're seeing and ask whether your job needs a permit.