One of the most common questions we receive is "How much does masonry work cost?" The honest answer is that every project is different, and a responsible contractor will never give you a firm price without seeing the job site first. However, understanding the factors that influence cost can help you plan your budget and evaluate quotes more effectively.
Chimney Services
Chimney work is one of our most frequently requested services, and pricing varies widely depending on the scope of work. A concrete chimney crown replacement — the flat concrete cap on top of your chimney — typically costs between $500 and $1,500, depending on chimney size, accessibility, and whether any underlying brick damage needs to be addressed first. A chimney rain cap installation is a more straightforward project that usually falls in the $200 to $600 range, depending on the number of flues and the material chosen (galvanized steel, stainless steel, or copper).
For more extensive chimney work, a partial chimney rebuild — where the top several courses of brick are removed and relaid — generally ranges from $1,500 to $4,000. A full chimney rebuild from the roofline up can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 or more, depending on chimney height, complexity, and whether the flue liner needs replacement. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends annual chimney inspections to catch small problems before they become major structural issues — a $150 to $300 inspection can save you thousands in preventable damage.
Stone Veneer & Facades
Stone veneer installation is priced by the square foot and depends heavily on the type of stone selected. Natural stone veneer — cut from real quarried stone — typically costs between $30 and $50 per square foot installed, including substrate preparation, metal lath, scratch coat, stone application, and grouting. Manufactured (cultured) stone veneer is generally less expensive, ranging from $20 to $40 per square foot installed, because the material itself is lighter and easier to cut and fit.
For a typical garage facade or accent wall measuring 150 to 200 square feet, homeowners can expect a total project cost between $4,000 and $10,000. Full home exterior stone veneer projects on a standard two-story home can range from $20,000 to $50,000 or more. According to the Natural Stone Institute, stone veneer consistently ranks among the highest-return exterior renovations, with homeowners recouping 90 percent or more of their investment at resale in many markets.
Retaining Walls
Retaining wall costs depend on wall height, length, material, and site conditions. A basic concrete block retaining wall with standard gray CMU blocks costs approximately $25 to $45 per square face foot installed. Natural stone retaining walls — which use hand-selected boulders or cut stone — are more labor-intensive and typically cost $35 to $65 per square face foot. For a typical residential retaining wall measuring 40 linear feet by 3 feet high (120 square face feet), homeowners can expect to invest between $3,000 and $7,800 depending on material choice.
Walls exceeding four feet in height generally require engineered design and building permits in both Washington and Oregon. Engineering fees add $500 to $2,000 to the project cost, but this investment is essential — an improperly designed retaining wall can fail catastrophically, causing property damage and creating safety hazards. DNT Masonry works with licensed structural engineers on all projects that require engineered design.
Tuckpointing & Masonry Repair
Tuckpointing — the removal and replacement of deteriorated mortar joints — is one of the most cost-effective masonry maintenance tasks available. Professional tuckpointing typically costs between $5 and $15 per square foot, depending on joint depth, mortar type, and accessibility. For a chimney with moderate mortar deterioration, a typical tuckpointing project runs between $500 and $2,500. The Mason Contractors Association of America emphasizes that timely tuckpointing prevents water infiltration that can lead to far more expensive structural repairs down the road.
Fireplace Inserts & Liners
A fireplace insert installation converts an inefficient open fireplace into a high-performance heating appliance. Insert costs vary by fuel type — wood-burning inserts typically range from $2,000 to $4,500 installed, gas inserts from $2,500 to $5,500, and pellet inserts from $2,500 to $5,000. These prices include the insert unit itself, installation labor, any necessary hearth modifications, and connection to the existing flue. A new chimney liner, often required when installing an insert, adds $1,500 to $3,500 depending on liner material (aluminum, stainless steel, or cast-in-place) and chimney height.