Masonry Contractor in Burlington, WA - Walls and Brick Built for Floodplain Ground
Allied Bellingham Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor working in Burlington, WA. We repoint worn brick, fix leaky chimneys and foundations, and build retaining walls, driveways and walkways on a base made for this low ground.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
Burlington houses on Skagit Valley ground
Burlington mixes older houses close to downtown, newer neighborhoods filled in over the last few decades, and shops and commercial buildings along the main roads. Most calls we get here are like the ones I hear across Skagit and Whatcom counties. Mortar is wearing out of older brick, a chimney has started to leak, or someone has a yard project they've been planning for a while. We work that whole stretch, from Birch Bay near the border down to here, and the ground changes a lot along the way.
Most of Burlington sits in the Skagit River floodplain, so lots are low and flat and water tends to sit rather than run off. That shapes nearly every job here, because a wall, a driveway or a footing has to start with a base that drains and digging that's planned around the water.
What to know before masonry work starts in Burlington
Permits here go through the city's Permit Center, which handles land use, construction and infrastructure permits for Burlington, and digging or building in the floodplain usually adds a flood review on top. That review is usually what sets the start date, so before work begins we check what the city needs for your address, tell you what it says and help with the application if there is one. When you're comparing contractors, ask for their state contractor registration and their Burlington business license, since both are required to work here. We're licensed and insured.
Burlington is an easy run down I-5 from Bellingham, and we work in Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley on the same valley ground often enough that low, flat lots don't surprise us. What moves the price on most jobs here is how much has to be dug out and rebuilt underneath, how easily we can get equipment to the spot, and the brick, block or stone you choose. The schedule turns on the city's review and how much prep the ground needs, and I put what I'd do and what it costs in writing when I come out, so you're working from your own figure.
Get a written estimate for your Burlington project
Send the form or call (360) 255-7006, and we'll reply within one business day. I'll come out to your place in Burlington myself, walk the job with you and leave a written estimate that's free and carries no obligation.
Call (360) 255-7006Services in Burlington, WA
Retaining wall construction
Flat yards here often need a raised bed or a step in grade. We build retaining walls on a drained base so water can't build up behind them.
Foundation repair
Houses on low valley ground can show cracks or damp in the foundation after high water. We trace where the water gets in, then repair the block or concrete.
Tuckpointing
Older brick houses around Burlington often have mortar wearing out of the joints. We rake out the worn mortar and refill the joints with a mix that suits the brick.
Chimney repair
A chimney that leaks into the attic usually has a cracked cap or open mortar joints. We find which one and fix it before water spreads inside.
Driveway pavers
Water sits on flat lots, so paver driveways here need a slope that carries it off. We pack a solid base and set the pavers to that fall.
Walkway construction
Walkways on low ground sink and puddle when the base is thin. We dig deeper, pack the base in layers and pitch the path so water runs off.
How it goes when you call us about a Burlington job
Call or send a request
Tell us what you're seeing, whether it's cracked mortar, a leak or a yard you want to change. We'll set a time to come out to your Burlington address.
Walk the job together
I come out myself, look at the work with you and answer your questions, so it helps if you're home. You get a written estimate that spells out what I'd do and what moves the price before you decide anything.
Settle permits, set a start
Once you're ready, we confirm what the city needs for your address and put a start date on the calendar. If a permit's involved, the start follows its approval.
Our masons build, I check in
Our masons do the work, and I check in with them and with you along the way. When it's finished we clean up and walk it with you.
Common questions
How do I know if my Burlington project needs a flood development permit?
If the job involves building, clearing, grading or digging in the city's floodplain areas, it usually needs a flood development permit unless it counts as a minor improvement. Walls, footings and new driveways all involve digging, so it's worth asking before anything is laid out. The flood development permit application is on the city's website if you want to see what it asks for.
How long does a building permit stay valid in Burlington, WA?
A Burlington building permit becomes void if work doesn't start within 180 days of when it's issued, or if work stops for 180 days after it starts. The city handles clearing, grading, fill and digging as a type of building permit, so yard work that moves earth goes through the city the same way. We line up start dates with the permit so it doesn't lapse.
Do my neighbors need notice before digging for a retaining wall in Burlington?
Yes, whoever does the digging has to give the owners of neighboring buildings written notice at least 10 days before it's scheduled to start. City staff also point to the code rule on protecting the property next door and controlling runoff and erosion while work is underway, so a wall near a property line gets planned with both in mind.
Does a contractor need a business license to work in Burlington?
Yes, the City of Burlington requires a business license for anyone doing business in the city. Contractors can get the state and city licenses together in one step through the Washington Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service, so it's an easy thing to ask about.
Who registers masonry contractors in Washington State?
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, known as L&I, registers construction contractors, and every one of them has to register before bidding, advertising or doing work like repairs and remodels. On any home job of $1,000 or more, the contractor also has to give you the state's disclosure statement for customers.
What affects the cost of masonry work in Burlington, WA?
Most of the cost of a Burlington masonry job is in work you won't see once it's done, like the digging, base and drainage under a wall or driveway, or the old mortar that has to come out before new goes in. Older brick needs mortar matched to it, which takes more time than a standard mix, and choosing natural stone over block usually raises the price.
Talk through your Burlington project with us
Questions are welcome before you're ready to build, so call (360) 255-7006 or send the form even if you're still weighing brick against stone.