Masonry Contractor in Lawndale, CA - Block Walls and Brick Repair That Fit Small Lots
Liberty Gardena Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Gardena that builds and repairs block walls, brick and walkways for homes in Lawndale, CA. I look at every job myself, and my own crew and I do the work.
Lawndale: small lots, shared block walls
Lawndale is a small, built-out city between Hawthorne and Torrance, and most of the houses we're called to are older single-story homes, with duplexes and small apartment buildings mixed in and shops along the main boulevard. The lots are narrow and the houses sit close together, so most yards are boxed in by block walls, and a lot of the brick on the steps, planters and chimneys is original to the house.
The ground is flat, so slopes usually aren't the problem. Access is. Side yards are tight, the wall we're working on usually backs onto a neighbor's yard, and material often goes to the back of the lot by wheelbarrow.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Masonry work we do in Lawndale
Concrete block walls
Block walls line many Lawndale property lines, and older ones lean or crack as roots and settling push on them. We fix what's sound and rebuild what isn't.
Masonry restoration
Older homes here often have brick steps, planters or chimneys worn by years of sun. Our masonry restoration fixes the brick and mortar without tearing it all out.
Tuckpointing
On older Lawndale brick, the mortar usually gives out before the brick, letting water in. We grind out the bad joints and repack them to match.
Walkway construction
Front walks on these short lots crack and heave, and an uneven slab trips people. We build new walkways in brick, pavers or stone that suit the house.
Driveway pavers
Many driveways here are short, older slabs that have cracked and stained. We lay pavers on a packed base, so a broken one lifts out and gets replaced.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Backyards here are usually small, so a grill island has to fit without eating the whole yard. We build block-and-stone outdoor kitchens sized to the space you've got.
Working in Lawndale: permits, access and what moves the price
Building permits in Lawndale come from the city's Building & Safety Department, and the city's Permit Center is the counter we deal with. When a job needs a permit, we take it out under our license and set up the inspections, and the schedule then waits on the city's sign-off at each stage before we move to the next one. If it doesn't need one, I'll tell you that too. Before you hire anyone for masonry here, ask to see their state contractor license, which the Contractors State License Board issues, and their Lawndale business license, which the city's Finance Department handles.
The price here moves with the size of the wall or walkway, how much old block, brick or concrete has to be torn out and hauled off, and how hard it is to get material through a narrow side yard. The schedule turns on the permit, when there is one, and on giving fresh mortar time to set before it carries weight. Street parking is tight on a lot of blocks, so we plan deliveries around it, cover your yard and the neighbor's side of a shared wall, and clean up as we go, because you're living there while we work. We handle the same kind of jobs in Westmont and the other cities around Gardena, and I'll give you the figure for your own job when I come out to look.
Get a free masonry estimate for your Lawndale home
Send the form or call (424) 528-1318, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time that works for you. I come out to your Lawndale property myself, look over the wall, the brick or the yard with you, and give you the estimate on site for free. There's no pressure and no obligation to go ahead.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Brick, block and stone for Lawndale homes
Lawndale masonry questions
Do I need a permit for a block wall or walkway in Lawndale?
You may, because the city's permit list includes fence permits, flatwork permits for front yard hardscape, and grading permits for cutting, filling or moving more than 50 cubic yards of soil. That much dirt is a lot for a small lot, so grading usually isn't the issue, but walls and front yard work are worth checking before anything gets built. For a question about your own property, the city's permit line is (310) 973-3230, or I'll check it when I come out and tell you either way.
How much does a block wall or walkway cost in Lawndale?
We price each Lawndale job after seeing it, and the biggest choices you control are the material and the finish. Plain gray block or a basic paver walk costs less than split-face block, brick or natural stone, and a stucco or stone face on a wall adds labor. If the job needs a permit, the city's fee is on top of that, $50 for a fence permit or $75 for a flatwork permit.
What hours can construction crews work in Lawndale?
Crews can work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no work on Sundays or city holidays. Work outside those hours can bring a stop work notice and code enforcement, so we schedule saw cutting, deliveries and the rest of the job inside that window.
How do I keep new mortar from cracking in hot weather?
Keep it from drying too fast, because mortar that loses its water before it sets ends up weak and cracks. On hot days in Lawndale we start early, shade the fresh work and keep it damp while it cures. Once it's done, don't set anything heavy on it until we tell you it's ready.
How long does a building permit last in Lawndale?
A Lawndale building permit is good for up to a year, and it can be extended twice, six months each time, once the fees are paid. Fence and flatwork permits run up to six months, and the Planning Department may add another six depending on the circumstances. A wall or walkway usually fits inside that window easily once the work gets started.
How much can a contractor ask for as a down payment in California?
On a home improvement job, a contractor can't take a down payment of more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. That's a state rule for every home improvement project, so it covers a block wall or a patio in Lawndale the same as anywhere else in California. If someone wants more than that up front, treat it as a warning sign.