Ace Masonry in Baltimore: Brick and Stone Work for Rowhouses and Commercial Properties

Ace Masonry is a licensed masonry contractor serving Baltimore and surrounding counties with brick repair, repointing, chimney work, and stone restoration on residential rowhouses and commercial buildings. The business operates as a single-contractor firm rather than a large crew, which means direct communication with the person doing the work and flexibility on scheduling, though turnaround depends on job queue.

What Ace Masonry actually does

Masonry work in Baltimore centers on three main demands: keeping aging brick and mortar intact on rowhouses built between 1880 and 1950, addressing water intrusion through failed chimneys, and restoring decorative stone on commercial facades. Ace Masonry handles repointing (removing and replacing deteriorated mortar between bricks), chimney rebuilding and repair, tuckpointing (filling small gaps to prevent water entry), brick replacement where individual units have spalled or cracked, and cleaning and sealing. The shop does not do new construction masonry; the focus is correction and preservation work on existing structures, which is the dominant masonry need across Baltimore neighborhoods.

Services and pricing

Repointing work typically runs between $15 and $25 per square foot depending on mortar condition, brick profile, and weather exposure. A 20-foot chimney stack might cost $800 to $1,500 to repoint. Chimney rebuilding (replacement of the upper section above the roofline, a common problem in Baltimore's older housing stock) ranges from $1,200 to $2,500. Individual brick replacement costs $50 to $150 per brick installed, depending on size and matching requirements. Tuckpointing on decorative mortar joints runs $8 to $12 per linear foot. Estimates are free and typically completed within one week of a phone call or site visit; pricing is confirmed before work begins. Most jobs are scheduled three to six weeks out; emergency chimney work (active leaks, missing mortar, safety concerns) is sometimes fit in sooner.

How Ace Masonry compares to other Baltimore masonry contractors

Baltimore masonry work divides between large firms with crews (taking jobs in multiple neighborhoods, booking two to three months out, pricing at the higher end) and single-operator contractors like Ace. Larger contractors such as those working through general contractor networks can handle full-house renovation coordination but add overhead; Ace is less expensive for targeted masonry and better for homeowners who want a specific contractor, not a crew rotation. For rowhouse owners needing chimney or repointing work, Ace suits jobs under $3,000 and those requiring repeated follow-up on small details. For new construction or large commercial projects, a multi-crew firm is necessary. The choice depends on project size and whether you need one point of contact or full-service construction management.

Who this suits and who it does not

Ace Masonry is a good fit for rowhouse owners facing chimney problems, water stains from mortar failure, or visible brick spalling. It also suits commercial property owners with aging facades and small-to-medium repair scopes. It is not suitable for homeowners seeking general contractor coordination, new masonry work, or jobs requiring multiple trades on a tight timeline. If you need masonry as part of a larger renovation involving roofing, windows, and siding, you may need to hire a general contractor who subcontracts masonry; Ace can be that subcontractor if referred by your general contractor.

What the first visit involves

Call or email with photos and a description of the problem. Ace will schedule a site visit, usually within a few days. During the visit, the contractor assesses mortar condition (checking for soft or crumbling joints), water damage or staining, chimney structural integrity, and brick damage. If the work is straightforward, a quote is provided on-site or within a day. For complex jobs (large repointing projects, chimney rebuilds), a detailed estimate arrives within three to five business days, including a breakdown of materials, labor hours, and timeline. Once you approve, a start date is set based on the current queue and weather.

Hours, location, and logistics

Ace Masonry operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some Saturday availability for emergency chimney work. Work is performed at your property; there is no shop visit required. Payment is typically 50 percent upon signing the estimate and 50 percent upon completion, though terms can be negotiated for larger jobs. The contractor carries liability insurance and is a licensed masonry contractor in Maryland; ask for proof of both before signing. Verify current availability and scheduling by calling; the business operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not maintain an online booking system.

Ace Masonry fills a specific need in Baltimore: dependable repointing and chimney work for rowhouse owners and small commercial properties, without the overhead cost or scheduling delays of large firms.