The masonry contractor market in Chicagoland is wide and quality varies enormously. These seven questions separate contractors who will do the job right from those who will create problems you will be paying to fix for years.
The masonry contractor market in Chicagoland ranges from licensed, insured specialists with decades of documented work to unlicensed crews who follow new construction projects and offer street-front solicitations with the vague promise of cheap work. The difference between hiring from these two ends of the market is not just price — it is years of dealing with failures, water damage, and additional repair costs that often exceed the original low-bid savings by a significant multiple. Asking the right questions before signing any masonry contract protects you from the common mistakes.
1. Are you licensed and insured? Masonry work in Illinois requires general contractor licensing for projects above certain thresholds. Request the license number and verify it with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Require proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage — without these, you assume liability for injuries and damage that occur on your property. 2. How many years have you been operating in Chicagoland, and can you provide references from similar projects? Local experience matters because Chicago's climate creates specific performance demands that out-of-market contractors sometimes underestimate. References should be from comparable project types in comparable communities.
3. What mortar type will you use, and why? This question immediately separates informed contractors from uninformed ones. The correct answer references the existing brick type, its hardness relative to available mortar mixes, and the application context. A contractor who answers "whatever we normally use" or cannot explain mortar compatibility is a red flag. 4. Will you provide a written scope of work? Any reputable masonry contractor provides a written scope that details materials, methods, quantities, and warranty terms. Never proceed from a verbal estimate. 5. Do you provide before and after documentation? Photographic documentation of conditions before work and after completion is standard practice for quality contractors and invaluable for insurance purposes and future contractors.
6. What is your warranty, and what does it cover? A labor warranty of 3 to 5 years is standard in this market. Understand what is covered — labor only, or materials as well — and what voids the warranty. 7. Will you permit the work if required? Masonry work above certain thresholds requires permits in many Chicagoland municipalities. A contractor who suggests skipping the permit process is asking you to accept the liability for unpermitted work. AMS handles all required permitting as part of our standard project process. Contact us if you are evaluating contractors for an upcoming project and want a comparison scope and estimate.
