Foundation repair
When a basement wall shows a stair-step crack or starts to bow, we find the cause first and then repair the block or concrete so the wall is sound again.
Masonry Contractor in Freedom, WI - Brick, Block and Stone Work That Suits the House
Heritage Appleton Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Appleton that works in Freedom, WI. We repair brick, stone and foundations and build walls, walkways, driveways and fireplaces for homeowners here.
Heritage Appleton Concrete and Masonry brings the same masonry work to Freedom that we do across the Appleton area. That means repointing worn mortar joints and fixing cracked foundations and chimneys. It also means building block walls, walkways, paver driveways, retaining walls and fireplaces, each one matched to the house it's on.
Masonry work for Freedom homes, old and new
Freedom sits midway between Appleton and Green Bay along County Road E, with Kaukauna and Seymour on either side along Highway 55. Our crew reaches it the same way we reach the other cities around us. Freedom calls itself a fast-growing community, and on our jobs that shows up as new houses going in near established ones.
On a newer house, the call is usually for something to be built, such as a block foundation, a paver driveway, a front walk or a retaining wall to level a sloped yard. On an older one, it's more often crumbling joints, a chimney letting water in or a crack in the basement wall. Both start the same way, with me walking the job with you and pointing to what I see.
- Based in
- Appleton, WI 54911
- Hours
- Mon–Sun: 6 AM–11 PM
Masonry services we offer homeowners in Freedom
Chimney repair
If bricks near the roofline are flaking at the face or the crown on top has cracked, we rebuild what's failed and repoint the rest so water stays out.
Tuckpointing
When the mortar joints on an older brick wall turn sandy or sink back from the face, we grind them out and refill them with mortar matched to the original.
Brick repair
A few cracked or loose bricks don't mean the whole wall needs work, so we cut out the damaged ones and set matching brick in their place.
Driveway pavers
Pavers suit a driveway that has to look good and carry cars, provided the base underneath is dug deep enough and packed firm before the first paver goes down.
Retaining wall construction
On a sloped yard, a retaining wall holds back the ground and gives you level space, and we build in drainage behind it so water doesn't push it out of line.
Masonry restoration
For an older brick or stone house that's worn in several places, we put together a plan that repairs what needs it and leaves sound original work alone.
Fireplace installation
When you'd like a masonry fireplace in a new home or an addition, we build the firebox, hearth and surround to fit the room and the way you'll use it.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer gives a foundation, column or front wall the look of stone at less weight, and we set it on a properly prepared backing so it holds.
Concrete block walls
For a garage wall, a partition or a sturdy garden wall, concrete block is strong and economical, and we lay it plumb on a footing sized for the load.
Foundation block wall installation
When a new house or an addition needs a block foundation, we lay the walls true and square so the framing above gets a level start.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
A built-in grill counter or pizza oven surround needs a solid base and materials that handle heat outdoors, and we build it with both in mind.
Walkway construction
A front walk or a path to the back gate should be even underfoot, so we start with a packed base and set brick, stone or pavers on it.
Brick wall installation
For a garden wall or a brick addition that should look like it belongs to the house, we match the brick, the pattern it's laid in and the mortar color.
Stone masonry
Natural stone suits steps, wall caps, chimneys and garden walls, and we choose and fit each stone so the joints stay tight and the work looks settled.
Brick pointing
When only a section of joints has worn, such as under a downspout or along a window sill, pointing just that area is often the smaller, sensible fix.
Get a free written estimate for your Freedom home
We reply to calls and messages within one business day, and there's no obligation. I come out to your home in Freedom myself, look at the job with you and write down what we'd do and why, so you have it in hand before you decide.
(920) 454-9038Working in Freedom: permits, licenses and what sets the price
Building permits in Freedom come from the Town of Freedom, and applications go through its online permitting portal. When a project needs one, the permit has to be issued before we start, so it can add time at the front of the schedule. If you're unsure whether your own project needs a permit, the Town Office answers that question at 920-788-4548.
On the contractor side, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services issues the Dwelling Contractor credential. The owner of a contracting business holds it to get building permits for one- and two-family homes, and an applicant has to show a bond of at least $25,000 or liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence. It's fair to ask any contractor about it. We're licensed and fully insured.
When a job needs a permit, we pull it ourselves and keep the paperwork in order, and we check with the local office before work starts. The price moves with the size of the job, the material, how easy the work area is to reach and how much damage turns up once old mortar or block is opened. The schedule turns on the permit and our crew's calendar across Freedom, Kimberly and nearby cities.
Why Freedom homeowners call us for masonry
I spent my first working years at a desk, and I left because I wanted to build things that would still be standing long after I'd finished. I learned masonry under experienced masons around Appleton and started this business in 2013. I come out to look at each job myself, and our crew of experienced masons does the work while I check it as it goes.
What I care about is that the work suits the house, with the right mortar, the right base and the right material for how it'll be used. If a smaller repair will do the job, I'll tell you so honestly. Satisfaction guaranteed. Thank you for considering us, and when you're ready, call (920) 454-9038 or use our contact form.
What shapes masonry projects in Freedom
A few local rules and the mix of houses here affect how a masonry job in Freedom is planned and when it can start. These are the ones I'd want you to know before we begin.
New homes start with the state
A new one- or two-family home needs a permit under the state's dwelling code, and Freedom keeps adding them. Here, that application starts in the State of Wisconsin's online building permit system and then moves over to the Town of Freedom's portal. If we're laying the block foundation for your new house, knowing where the permit stands lets us line up our start date with it.
Zoning questions go to the county
The Town of Freedom follows Outagamie County's zoning rules, so zoning questions about your lot go to the county. The Town also asks anyone planning a project to check with the County Zoning Department about county permits. For a retaining wall, a new driveway or an addition, that call is worth making early, before materials are ordered and a date is set.
Starting early costs double
A Town of Freedom post says work started without a permit brings a penalty fee of double the normal permit cost. That's reason enough not to let anyone, us included, begin before the permit question is settled. The Town keeps its full fee schedule on its website under Services, then Building, if you'd like to see what a permit would cost for your project.
Older houses need matched mortar
Alongside the new construction, Freedom has established houses whose brick, block and stone have had years to wear. On those, the usual calls are for worn joints, a chimney that's letting water in or a foundation crack. Mortar that's harder than the old brick can crack the brick itself, so we match the new mortar to the old work instead of reaching for the strongest mix.
Questions Freedom homeowners ask about masonry
Does a fence or deck in Freedom, WI need a building permit?
Yes, a Town of Freedom post lists both fences and decks among the projects that need a building permit, along with garages, sheds, additions, remodels and demolitions. The post says that list isn't complete, so for masonry work it doesn't name, call the Town Office at the number above. The Town's building permits page explains how to apply.
Who does building inspections in Freedom, WI?
MSA does, because the Town of Freedom contracts with that firm for all of its building inspection services. Whoever holds the permit has to call for each required inspection with at least 48 hours' notice, and on a new home the state requires footing and foundation inspections, among others. When we hold the permit, we book them with that notice built into our schedule.
Where can I find the official flood map for my property in Freedom?
The official, effective flood insurance rate maps are at FEMA's Map Service Center. The Wisconsin DNR shows a floodplain layer on its website, but the DNR says that layer is for information only and isn't the official map. If your lot sits low, it's worth looking before we plan a foundation or a retaining wall there.
How much does a masonry contractor cost in Freedom, WI?
There's no fair single figure, because repointing a few joints and laying a new block foundation are very different jobs. The biggest swings come from the material you choose, how closely it has to match older work and what we find once the old work is opened. I look at the job in person and write down what we'd do and why.
How soon can masonry work start at my house in Freedom?
It usually comes down to whether the job needs a permit and where it falls on our crew's calendar. Once the Town Office has said whether a permit is needed and any permit has been issued, we can set a date. A new foundation also has inspections to plan around, which we account for when we schedule.
How should I get my yard ready for a masonry crew?
Clear a path from the driveway to the work area and move vehicles, planters and patio furniture out of the way, because brick, block and a mixer need room. Tell us about sprinkler heads, buried pet fences or septic lines near the work. Please keep pets and children inside while we're cutting or mixing.
Have a crack or soft joint looked at
Catching a crack or a crumbling joint early usually means a smaller repair, so call (920) 454-9038 or send a note through our contact form, and thank you for thinking of us.