Historic brick and stone repair

Owners of older homes, churches, small commercial buildings, historical societies and nonprofits that care for historic properties.

Quoted per job or per square foot of wall, with larger projects billed in stages. Specialist skills let you charge more than general masonry work.

• Bricklaying or stone masonry
• Knowing old building materials and mortars
• Careful, patient finish work
• Quoting and customer communication

• Many states and cities require a contractor or masonry license, check your state licensing board
• The EPA lead-safe renovation rule may apply to work on pre-1978 buildings, check whether you need certification
• Silica dust from cutting masonry, plan for proper dust control and protective gear
• Using the wrong mortar can damage old walls, so test and get advice on historic buildings
• Grant-funded or tax-credit projects may have standards you must follow, check before quoting

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the tools, materials and protective gear you need and how you get to job sites. Treat this as an estimate and price your own kit before you start.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on the number and size of jobs you take and the clients you serve. Treat it as an estimate, since results vary with workload and location.

Check your state licensing board for any contractor or masonry license. Also check whether the EPA lead-safe renovation rule applies to pre-1978 buildings, plan for silica dust control, and check standards on grant-funded or tax-credit projects before quoting.