Hiring a masonry contractor is not like hiring a painter or a landscaper. Masonry work is structural. Done wrong, it causes damage that compounds for years before becoming visible - water infiltration through improperly matched mortar, brick spalling from incorrect mortar type, chimney failure from shallow joint removal. By the time you see the symptoms, the repair cost has multiplied.
Illinois has specific licensing requirements for masonry contractors, but licensing alone does not guarantee quality. This guide covers everything you need to know to evaluate and select a masonry contractor who will do the work right.
Step 1: Verify the Illinois Masonry License
Illinois requires masonry contractors to hold a state-issued license. This is not optional, and it is not the same as a general contractor’s license or a handyman license.
What to Check
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) maintains a public license lookup at idfpr.illinois.gov. Every licensed masonry contractor has a license number that can be verified online. The license should be current (not expired or suspended), and the name on the license should match the name on the contract.
For example, Delta Masonry & Tuckpointing operates under Illinois license #104-016987. Any homeowner can verify this license is current and in good standing through the IDFPR website.
Red Flags
- “We don’t need a license for this type of work” - In Illinois, masonry work requires a license. Period.
- Unable or unwilling to provide a license number - If the contractor cannot produce a license number on request, do not proceed.
- License is in a different name than the contracting entity - This may indicate the contractor is operating under someone else’s license, which is a violation.
- Expired or suspended license - Check the status, not just the existence. A license that was valid three years ago may have been revoked for cause.
Step 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage
Masonry work involves heavy materials, power tools, scaffolding, and work at height. Without proper insurance, you are financially liable for any injury or property damage that occurs during the project.
Required Insurance
General liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury. The minimum acceptable coverage for residential masonry work is $1,000,000. For larger projects or commercial work, $2,000,000 is standard. Delta Masonry & Tuckpointing carries $2M in general liability coverage.
Workers’ compensation insurance covers injuries to the contractor’s employees while on your property. In Illinois, workers’ compensation is mandatory for businesses with employees. If a contractor’s employee is injured on your property and the contractor does not carry workers’ comp, you may be held liable.
How to Verify
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and verify that it is current. You can also call the insurance company directly to confirm the policy is active. The COI should name the specific policy numbers and coverage amounts. A photocopy of a card is not sufficient - COIs are standardized documents (ACORD form) that include the insurance company contact information for verification.
Red Flags
- “I’m a one-man operation, I don’t need workers’ comp” - If they hire any helpers, subcontractors, or laborers, workers’ comp is required. If they truly work solo, they should carry general liability at minimum.
- Insurance certificate is expired - Coverage lapses happen. Verify before signing.
- Refuses to provide proof of insurance - Walk away.
Step 3: Ask the Right Questions
The questions you ask during the estimate process reveal whether the contractor understands the technical requirements of your specific project. Here are the questions that separate professionals from amateurs.
About Mortar
“What mortar type will you use, and why?”
A professional will ask about or assess your brick before answering. The correct answer depends on your brick type, the application (above-grade vs. below-grade), and the age of the structure. If the contractor answers “Type S” for above-grade residential walls without any assessment, they are using the wrong mortar. If they cannot explain the difference between Type N, Type S, and Type O mortar, they lack fundamental masonry knowledge.
For more on this topic, see our guide on mortar types and why they matter.
“How will you match the mortar color?”
The answer should involve examining the existing mortar, potentially extracting a sample, selecting appropriate sand and cement, and applying a test patch before proceeding with the full project. “We’ll get it close” or “it’ll weather to match” are not acceptable answers.
Read more about mortar color matching.
About Process
“How deep will you remove the old mortar?”
The industry standard minimum is 3/4 inch (per ASTM C270 and Brick Industry Association guidelines). Anything less than 3/4 inch removal does not provide adequate bond depth for the new mortar and will result in premature failure. Some contractors grind to only 1/4 or 1/2 inch to save time. This produces a thin veneer of new mortar that fails within 2 to 5 years.
“Will you use a grinder or hand tools?”
Both are acceptable depending on the situation. Power grinders with diamond blades are efficient for standard residential work. Hand tools (cold chisels, raking tools) are preferred for historic homes with soft, handmade brick where a grinder can damage the brick edges. The correct answer depends on your home’s age and brick type. A contractor who only uses one method may not be equipped for your specific situation.
“How will you handle the joints that are near windows, doors, and trim?”
Detail work around transitions is where quality differences become most visible. The contractor should describe how they will protect adjacent surfaces, maintain consistent joint depth at transitions, and handle mortar that meets other materials (flashing, caulking, wood trim).
About Business
“Can you provide three references for similar projects?”
Similar means similar scope, similar brick type, and similar location. A contractor who has done excellent work on new construction may not have the skills for historic restoration. A contractor whose references are all in Indiana may not understand the specific challenges of Illinois freeze-thaw conditions.
“What is your warranty?”
Professional masonry contractors stand behind their work. At Delta Masonry & Tuckpointing, we provide a 25-year written guarantee on our tuckpointing work. A warranty should be written, should specify what is covered (materials, labor, or both), and should specify the duration. Verbal warranties are unenforceable.
“When can you start, and how long will it take?”
A contractor who can “start tomorrow” on a large project may not have other work - which raises questions. A contractor who is booked 6 months out has demand for a reason. Reasonable lead times for quality contractors in the Chicagoland area are 2 to 6 weeks during peak season (May through October).
Step 4: Evaluate the Estimate
The written estimate tells you as much about the contractor as the interview. Here is what a professional estimate should include - and what its absence signals.
What a Good Estimate Contains
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Scope of work: Exactly which walls, elevations, or sections will be repaired. “Tuckpointing as needed” is not a scope - it is an invitation for disputes. The estimate should identify specific areas, ideally with reference to sides of the building or marked on a photo.
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Mortar specification: The mortar type to be used (Type N, Type S, Type O, lime blend) and the color-matching approach.
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Joint depth: The minimum depth of mortar removal. This should be stated as a specification, not implied.
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Access method: Will the work be done from ladders, scaffolding, or a lift? This affects cost and should be explicit.
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Brick replacement: If any bricks need to be replaced, the estimate should note the quantity, the matching approach, and the cost - separately from the tuckpointing line item.
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Timeline: Start date and estimated completion date.
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Payment terms: How much is due when. A reasonable deposit is 10 to 30% with the balance due upon completion. A contractor who demands 50% or more up front before any work begins is a higher risk.
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Warranty: Written warranty terms, duration, and what is covered.
Red Flags in Estimates
- No line-item breakdown: A single number with no detail makes it impossible to compare bids or understand what you are paying for.
- “Per the inspection” without detail: The estimate should stand on its own as a document. If it references a verbal conversation without documenting the scope, it is incomplete.
- Cash discount: Contractors who offer significant discounts for cash payment may be avoiding tax obligations. This creates legal exposure for both parties.
- No warranty mentioned: If the warranty is not in the estimate, it does not exist.
- Dramatically lower than other bids: If one bid is 40% below the others, the contractor is either cutting corners (shallow grinding, wrong mortar, no color matching), underestimating the scope, or not including the same work items. Ask specifically what they are doing differently.
Step 5: Check Their Work
Before signing, verify the contractor’s quality through direct observation.
Drive-By Inspection
Ask for addresses of completed projects and drive by. You are looking for: consistent mortar color (no patchwork appearance), consistent joint profiles, clean brick surfaces (no mortar smears), and work that blends with the original masonry.
Online Presence
Check Google reviews, Yelp reviews, and BBB rating. Look for patterns, not individual reviews. A contractor with 50 reviews and a 4.8 average is more reliable than one with 3 reviews and a 5.0. Pay attention to negative reviews - specifically whether they describe workmanship issues, communication problems, or pricing disputes.
Ask About Their Team
Who will actually perform the work? Some contractors sell the job and subcontract the labor. This is not automatically bad, but you should know who will be on your property, whether they are employees or subcontractors, and whether the contractor will be on-site to supervise.
Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
The Door-Knocker
A truck with out-of-state plates shows up uninvited and offers a deal because “we’re doing work on your neighbor’s house and have leftover materials.” This is almost always a scam. The work will be low quality, the contractor will be impossible to reach for warranty claims, and the “leftover materials” are standard supplies available at any masonry supply house.
The Lowball and Upcharge
A contractor provides an unrealistically low bid to win the contract, then discovers “additional work needed” once they have started. Each discovery comes with an additional charge. By the end, the total exceeds the legitimate bids you rejected. Prevention: a detailed scope in the estimate and a clause requiring written approval for any changes.
The Material Switch
The estimate specifies Type N mortar and color-matched sand. The actual work uses whatever is cheapest. This is nearly impossible to verify during the project unless you know what to look for. Prevention: ask the contractor to show you the mortar bags and sand before they mix, and compare against the specification in the estimate.
Seal Coating Pressure
After completing tuckpointing, the contractor urgently recommends sealing the entire wall with a “protective coating.” Film-forming sealers can trap moisture inside brick and actually accelerate spalling. Breathable sealers have limited applications. This upsell is often unnecessary and potentially harmful. Any sealer recommendation should come with a clear explanation of the specific product (brand, type), why it is appropriate for your specific brick, and what happens if the sealer traps moisture.
Making Your Decision
The cheapest bid is rarely the best value in masonry work. A tuckpointing job done correctly lasts 25 to 50 years. A tuckpointing job done poorly may last 3 to 5 years and cause additional brick damage in the process. The cost difference between the two is typically 15 to 30% at the time of the estimate - but the lifetime cost of the cheap job is 3 to 5 times higher when you include the rework and the damage it caused.
Choose a licensed, insured contractor who demonstrates knowledge of mortar types, color matching, and joint depth requirements. Get a detailed written estimate. Verify their work on completed projects. And do not let price alone drive your decision.
Get a Free Estimate From a Licensed Illinois Contractor
Delta Masonry & Tuckpointing has been serving Chicagoland since 1987. We hold Illinois masonry license #104-016987, carry $2M in general liability coverage, and provide a 25-year written guarantee on our work. We have completed over 2,800 projects across the North Shore, Lake County, and northwest suburbs.
Call (847) 713-1648 or request a free estimate online. Every project starts with a free on-site inspection and a detailed written estimate - no pressure, no obligation.