Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 1976
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"In addition to the completed excellent job, he also provided many tips how to maintain and use the wood stove. He is friendly and patient."
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 1997
Free estimates
Browning Masonry specializes in interior and exterior masonry that will enhance and beautify your home. Your fireplace is the most relaxing part of your home, so when you rebuild or remodel, you want to use the most experienced Fireplace and Masonry Contractor in the business.\n \nBrowning Masonry can provide you with a wide range of design using select materials. Jay Browning's expertise is his artistic ability to give you a product that will be one of a kind.
+6
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 2014
Free estimates
Warranties offered
"He was quick, communicative, and partnered with me to achieve a vision I was figuring out to redo some really old boxwoods. Gave a clear quote and expectations and gave recommendations through the process which I greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed working with him!"
+23
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 2008
Emergency services offered
Credit card accepted
"The owner was hard to deal with, with a million excuses for almost everything. He didn't seem especially familiar with Angie's List or what the deal was. However, upon prodding, a competent worker did come out and get the fireplace started. He wanted us to pay for transportation from Gilroy + &125/hr. However, finally he took the $99 as promised on Angie's list. More communication needed between Angie's List and vendor."
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 2002
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
East Bay Fireplace is a locally owned and operated company with over 22 years of industry experience. We value honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer gas stove and gas fireplace installations that are customizable to each individual project. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!\n
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 1993
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"See above.. He's great- knowledgeable, prompt, profession, creative, and very talented!!! Price was competitive yet fair..
Fabulous job!!!
Hiring him again for some interior and exterior stencil work....If you're looking for faux and or stenciling work for your home..RANDY IS YOUR MAN!!"
+5
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 2015
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"Brian and his crew did a fantastic job on our double-sided stacked stone fireplace. We redid an old painted brick fireplace with the stone, and part of the job required tearing out half of a poorly done job someone else had started. Brian was easy to communicate with, was punctual and professional, and our fireplace is beautiful. His whole crew is friendly and reliable and and they all do great work (plus you can tell they all enjoy working together). The work was done exactly when Brian promised it would be, and right on budget. Would highly recommend them."
+184
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 2022
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"The professionalism and quality of work were impressive. My home looks completely refreshed and the results are better than I imagined."
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 1994
Free estimates
"We are a young engaged couple who just bought our first condo. Yay! :) The only problem with the condo was the old flooring.? We deliberated for a long time the type of flooring we wanted throughout the house, since there are so many options to choose from.? Adam sat with us and carefully explained all our options.? We ended up going with the red oak hard wood flooring and it is gorgeous! The contractor worked quickly, treated our furniture with care, and even went with me to buy cleaning supplies and taught us how to properly care for the floors.? I would gladly use this company again."
+113
Serving Orinda, CA and surrounding areas
In business since 1975
Free estimates
"We are very pleased with the work Lee Tavare and his assistant, Manuel, did in replacing our old redwood deck with a new one. They did a great job and were willing and able to repurpose some of the old deck’s railings’ wood into the new deck’s railings. They also fixed up our arbor, which was on the perimeter of the deck. After the rainy season, they returned to stain and seal the deck. Easy to work with and conscientious, they finished our job on schedule and on budget. We highly recommend them."
+41
Start with a professional inspection. If damage is limited to a few bricks or the crown, a targeted repair helps keep costs and disruption to a minimum. Severe leaning, widespread mortar failure, or major fire damage usually signals it’s time for a complete teardown and rebuild. Your contractor will outline both price tags, but remember that rebuilding a failing stack is often cheaper than repeated patch jobs and the water leaks or fire hazards they allow.
Cracks provide water with an easy path into the masonry, weakening the bricks and mortar and increasing the risk of collapse or fire. Gaps can also let hot gases and sparks escape into attic spaces. Call a chimney pro as soon as you see cracking so they can seal small joints or recommend a larger rebuild before minor damage turns into a costly emergency.
Smoke rolling back into the room often indicates a blocked flue, a broken damper, or a drafting issue. Have a sweep inspect the damper, flue liner, and any obstructions right away. Most fixes involve clearing debris, repairing the liner, or adjusting the damper so the fireplace pulls air correctly. Don’t light another fire until a professional pinpoints the cause and confirms your system is venting safely.
Most policies cover chimney repairs caused by a sudden, covered event, such as lightning, a fallen tree, or a house fire. They won’t cover damage that stems from neglected maintenance or everyday wear. Review your policy or contact your agent before scheduling work to determine what documentation your insurer requires and what costs you will be responsible for.
Component life spans vary. Clay tile or cast-in-place liners last close to 50 years, while stainless-steel liners last 15 to 20 years. Mortar requires attention every 25 to 30 years, while crowns last 50 to 75 years. Use these numbers as a maintenance roadmap: schedule regular inspections, budget for future upgrades, and replace parts before age-related cracks develop into more significant problems.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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