Masonry contractor in Blaine, WA - brick and stone work that suits your house
Allied Bellingham Concrete and Masonry repairs brick, repoints worn mortar, fixes leaky chimneys and builds retaining walls and walkways for homes in Blaine, WA. I look at each job myself, and our masons do the work.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
Older brick and newer yards across Blaine
Blaine is a small city at the top of the county, right up against the border. The houses run from older homes close to downtown and the water out to newer neighborhoods farther from the bay. On the older places we see a lot of brick chimneys, front steps and foundation walls that have had years of patching, some of it done with mortar harder than the brick around it. The newer houses bring different calls, mostly retaining walls, walkways and paver driveways for yards that were left plain when the house went up. We see much the same mix next door in Birch Bay, so the questions Blaine homeowners bring us are ones we've talked through many times.
Some of the ground near the water here isn't original. Part of the waterfront at Marine Park sits on land reclaimed from the tide flats of Boundary Bay, and most of that shoreline is held with rock and concrete to slow erosion. So on a job close to the bay, I look at what's under the yard before we plan a wall or a walk, because filled ground and native soil don't carry weight the same way.
What working in Blaine means for your project
Whether your masonry project needs a permit is the City of Blaine's call. The city's permit list names new houses, demolition, mechanical and plumbing work but doesn't name masonry, so before we set a start date we ask the city what your address needs and tell you what they said, and if a permit is needed we help you sort out the application. That answer is usually what the schedule turns on, along with how long it takes to find brick or stone that matches yours. The city also requires every business providing services inside the city limits to hold a Blaine business license, so that's a fair thing to ask any contractor about, and we're licensed and insured. The price moves with the size of the job, how easy it is to reach and what we find once a damaged section is opened up, and the written estimate I leave after walking the job gives you your own figure.
Blaine sits at the north end of I-5 from our base in Bellingham, so we line up the brick, block and stone ahead of time and bring what the job needs instead of making extra trips. Matching old brick is where my years behind a supply counter help, because I know where to look for a close color and size. We do the same kind of work in Lynden and Ferndale, and the older brick and new yards there look a lot like what we see here.
Get a written estimate for your Blaine masonry job
Send the form or call (360) 255-7006, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I come out to your Blaine house myself, look at the work with you and leave a free written estimate, with no obligation to go ahead.
Call (360) 255-7006Services in Blaine, WA
Brick repair
Older brick steps, planters and chimneys around Blaine show cracked or loose bricks first. Our brick repair work replaces the damaged ones and matches what's there.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints go sandy and sink back, water gets in behind the brick. We rake out the worn mortar and repoint with a mix that suits your brick.
Chimney repair
A leaky chimney on an older Blaine house usually starts at the crown or the top courses of brick. We repair the crown and relay loose brick before it spreads.
Retaining wall construction
Many Blaine yards need a wall to hold back a slope or level a garden. We plan the base and drainage before we build, because that's what keeps a wall standing.
Walkway construction
Front walks on older lots here often settle and tip. We dig out, pack a firm base and lay brick, stone or pavers to suit the house.
Driveway pavers
A cracked, patched concrete driveway is a common reason Blaine homeowners call us. We replace it with pavers on a base built deep enough for your car.
How it goes when you call us about a Blaine project
Call or send a request
Call (360) 255-7006 or use the form and tell us what you're seeing. We'll set a time for me to come out to your house in Blaine.
Walk the job together
I look at the brick, mortar or ground with you, answer your questions and explain what I'd do and why. You get the scope and the price in writing before you decide anything.
Check the city and set a start
Once you're ready, we check what the city needs for your address and help with a permit if there is one. Then we agree on a start date that works for you.
Our masons do the work
Our masons build or repair it while I check in with them and keep you posted along the way. When it's done, we clean up and walk the finished work with you.
Common questions
How do I apply for a building permit in Blaine, WA?
You apply at the city's Planning and Building Front Counter at City Hall, 435 Martin St, Suite 3000, which is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The city's permit page has fillable forms, including a submittal checklist for a single-family house, and City Hall's number is 360-332-8311.
Which building codes apply to masonry work in Blaine?
Blaine uses the current construction codes adopted by the State of Washington for residential and commercial permits. Those are the building rules a project has to meet, and we plan the work to meet them from the start.
How do I request a building inspection in Blaine?
You call the city's inspection request line at 360-543-9975. If your project has a permit, that's where inspections get booked, and we'll tell you when the work has reached the point where one makes sense.
What forms do I need for a demolition permit in Blaine?
The city asks for all three of these: its own Demolition Permit Application, the North West Clean Air asbestos demolition application and a Whatcom County Health Department form. The city application and the county health form go back to the city, so if your project means tearing down an old structure, we ask the counter early which of these apply.
How much does masonry work cost in Blaine, WA?
The cost depends on the size of the job, the materials and what we find once the old work is opened up. Repointing goes by how much wall there is and how deep the mortar has worn, a retaining wall by its height, length and the base and drainage under it, and matching old brick usually costs more than laying new. I walk the job and put the price in writing so you know your number before anything starts.
What is the best way to repair crumbling mortar on an older brick house?
The best way is to rake out the worn mortar to a sound depth and repoint with a mortar that's a little softer than the brick. Smearing new mortar over the old joints or using a hard modern mix can trap water and crack older brick, which is why I match the mortar to the house before we start.
Have your Blaine brick or wall looked at
Call (360) 255-7006 or send the form, because loose brick and open mortar joints are simpler to fix while the damage is still small.