Masonry contractor in Dania Beach, FL - brick and block work built for salt air
J&R Fort Lauderdale Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Fort Lauderdale that repairs brick, repoints mortar and builds block walls, walkways and paver driveways for homes across Dania Beach.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
Masonry in Dania Beach, close to the coast
Dania Beach is a short drive south of our base in Fort Lauderdale. The calls we get there are about worn mortar, cracked block and brick, and new walls, walks and paver driveways. Many of the houses are concrete block with stucco, and their brick planters, steps and garden walls have taken years of rain and sun. We do the same work up in Oakland Park and next door in Hollywood, but being this close to the ocean changes what wears out first and how fast.
Most lots here sit on sandy ground that drains fast but shifts when heavy rain runs under a slab, a wall footing or a paver bed. That's why we put as much care into the base and into where the water goes as into the brick or block, because the base is what keeps the work on top level.
Masonry work we do in Dania Beach
Tuckpointing
Salt air and summer rain wear soft mortar out of older brick near the coast first. We grind out loose joints and repack them with matching mortar.
Brick repair
Cracked or flaking brick on planters, steps and walls usually traces back to water getting in. We replace only the damaged bricks and fix where the water enters.
Concrete block walls
Dania Beach yards often need a privacy or garden wall that holds up through wind and rain. We build block walls on a poured footing, level and true.
Driveway pavers
Summer downpours wash sand from under pavers, so driveways sink at the edges and low spots. We pack a firm base, lock the edges and slope for runoff.
Foundation repair
Sandy ground can settle unevenly under older houses, and that shows up as stair-step cracks in block walls. I find the cause before we repair anything.
Fireplace installation
Mild evenings make an outdoor fireplace a favorite on Dania Beach patios. We do fireplace installation in block, brick or stone, set on a solid footing.
What coastal homes here need from masonry
This close to the ocean, damp salty air works into mortar joints, stucco cracks and the steel inside block walls, and the first sign is usually sandy joints, rust stains or a crack that keeps opening. We find where the water gets in before we patch anything, because a repair laid over a wet joint doesn't last.
The city has posted a weather advisory about coastal flooding concerns, and on a low lot that means water can sit against walls and under walks after a storm. When we build near the ground, we set footings, bases and slopes so water drains away from the work. What moves the price here is how much damage turns up once the work is open, the material you pick and how much prep and haul-off the job takes. The schedule mostly turns on the weather and on whether the job needs a permit and inspections, and your written estimate spells out the materials and steps for your job.
Get a free on-site masonry estimate in Dania Beach
Call (754) 228-0031 or send the form, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time to see your Dania Beach property. I come out to every estimate myself, look over the work and write out the materials and steps, free and with no obligation. We're licensed and fully insured, and if you go ahead, I'm on site with our crew while the work is done.
Dania Beach masonry questions
Here are answers to what Dania Beach homeowners usually want to know about permits, licenses and cost. If your job isn't covered, call or send the form and I'll answer it for your house.
Who handles building permits for masonry work in Dania Beach?
The City of Dania Beach Building Division issues building permits for new construction, additions and remodeling, reviews the plans and does the inspections. Applications go through the ePermits OneStop portal the city runs with Broward County, so city and related county permits move in one process. Whether your particular job needs a permit is a question for the Building Division, and when it does, we handle the application and schedule the inspections.
How much does masonry work cost in Dania Beach?
There's no single price, because the cost comes down to how much is damaged, the material and how much prep the job takes. Matching older brick or mortar, cutting out failed work, building a deeper base under pavers and tight access all add time and material. Our free estimate is written out with the materials and steps, so you can see what each part of the price covers.
How do I check that a masonry contractor is licensed to work in Dania Beach?
Ask for their Florida license and check what kind it is, because the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation says a certified license covers all of Florida, while a registered license covers only the cities or counties where the holder has a certificate of competency. Anyone doing business in Broward County also needs a county business tax receipt unless exempt, and some Broward cities may ask for it before issuing a permit. We're licensed and fully insured, and you can ask about it at the estimate.
Do I need a permit to move sprinkler lines for a paver driveway in Dania Beach?
Yes, because a Broward County code amendment says building, altering, repairing or moving an irrigation system first needs a permit from the building official. General maintenance or repair that leaves the system unchanged is exempt when labor and material come to $600.00 or less on the invoice, though that work still has to meet code. If lines run where a new walk or driveway will go, we sort out who moves them and whether a permit applies before we dig.
Does my older Dania Beach house need a 25-year building safety inspection?
Not if it's a single-family home, a duplex, triplex or fourplex with three or fewer habitable stories above ground, or a townhouse you own along with its land, because Broward County's program for buildings 25 years or older exempts those. The program covers other buildings of that age, and the building official enforces it. If an inspection on a building you own calls for masonry repairs, we can go over the report and the walls and tell you what the repair involves.
What causes mortar and brick to break down faster near the beach in Dania Beach?
Moisture and salt usually cause it, because damp salty air soaks into mortar and brick, and as it dries the salt crystals push the surface apart. You see it first as white powder, sandy joints or flaking brick near the ground and on the side facing the weather. We clean off the salt, cut out the weak mortar and repoint with a mix softer than the brick, so the joint wears instead of the brick.
Examples of masonry work
Other cities we serve
Choose a city from the list to see the work we do there, or get in touch if yours isn't on it. We work across the cities around Fort Lauderdale.