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Serving Mill Valley, CA and surrounding areas. (628) 257-3020
From foundation repairs and chimney work to retaining walls and custom stonework, Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry handles the masonry projects that matter most to homeowners across Marin County.
Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry is a locally owned masonry contractor in Mill Valley, CA, serving homes and businesses across Marin County and the greater Bay Area. We offer 16 masonry services - from foundation stabilization and chimney repair to custom retaining walls and outdoor kitchens - across 12 service areas. Every estimate is free, every quote is written, and every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Cracks in walls, sticking doors, uneven floors - we stabilize shifting foundations before small problems become expensive structural repairs.
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Crumbling mortar, a missing cap, or a damaged liner are fire and water risks. We repair chimneys and make sure yours meets California spark arrestor requirements.
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Failing mortar joints let water in with every rain. We grind out the old material and pack in fresh mortar that seals your masonry for decades.
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Spalled bricks, cracked sections, or efflorescence on your walls are signs water is winning. We repair or replace damaged bricks so your structure holds tight.
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Worn or cracked driveway? New pavers add curb appeal, handle years of traffic, and drain better than poured concrete on hillside lots.
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Sloped lots in Marin need walls that handle soil pressure and winter runoff. We build retaining walls that last through wet seasons without shifting.
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Historic brick and stone that looks faded, stained, or damaged can be cleaned and restored without replacing what makes your home distinctive.
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A properly built fireplace adds real warmth and value. We install fireplaces designed to meet California safety codes and your home's specific layout.
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Stone veneer transforms an ordinary exterior or accent wall into something you notice. We install it over concrete, block, or framing with a clean, lasting bond.
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Concrete block is strong, cost-effective, and ideal for privacy walls, property boundaries, and utility structures on residential lots.
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A solid foundation block wall is the starting point for any structure built on a slope. We install them properly so everything above sits level and stays level.
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A masonry outdoor kitchen holds up to heat, weather, and years of use in ways wood-framed builds simply do not. We design and build them to last.
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Uneven, cracked, or overgrown walkways are a trip hazard. New stone or paver walkways are safer, better-draining, and improve how your property looks from the street.
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A brick wall adds permanence to property lines, gardens, and outdoor spaces in a way that fences cannot match. We build them to stand for generations.
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Natural stone brings character to retaining walls, water features, steps, and facades. We work with it to complement your home and property.
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Brick pointing refreshes the mortar profile on aging brickwork, improving both the look and the water resistance of your chimney or exterior wall.
Learn MoreReach out by phone or through the contact form. We will ask a few questions about what you are seeing - cracks, settling, damaged brickwork - and schedule a time to come look in person. Most initial assessments are scheduled within 1 business day. This visit costs nothing and does not commit you to anything.
A member of our team walks your property, examines the affected areas, and explains what we found in plain language. You get a written estimate that breaks down the work and cost before any decision is made. If permits are required, we handle the application and include that in the timeline.
Our crew arrives on time, protects the surrounding area, and completes the job to the scope agreed upon. At the end of each day we clean up the work area and let you know what was done. When the job is finished, we walk it with you so you can see the results and ask any questions before we leave.
Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry is licensed by the California Contractors State License Board and carries full general liability insurance on every project - no exceptions, no matter the size of the job.
We come to your property, look at the actual work, and give you a written estimate before you decide anything. There is no fee and no pressure to sign.
We have been working on homes in Mill Valley and the surrounding communities since 2020. We know the terrain, the housing stock, and what Marin County homes need.
If something does not meet the agreed-upon standard, we come back and make it right. Every project includes a written warranty that spells out exactly what is covered.
Questions before you commit? Call us at (628) 257-3020 or send a message.
They came out within two days of my call and found the source of the crack I had been staring at for months. The foundation repair was done in three days, clean work, and no surprises on the bill.
James R., Mill Valley - Foundation repair
Our chimney had not been touched in probably 30 years. They did a full inspection, replaced the mortar, and installed a new spark arrestor. Nice to know it meets fire safety standards now.
Sandra M., San Rafael - Chimney repair
The retaining wall on the back of our hillside lot was starting to lean. They rebuilt the worst section and tuckpointed the rest. It held through a very wet winter without moving at all.
Kevin T., Tiburon - Retaining wall construction
We respond within 1 business day - no waiting around. There is no obligation to hire us after submitting. Once we receive your message, someone from our office will call to schedule a free on-site estimate at a time that works for you.
(628) 257-3020Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry is based in Mill Valley, CA and serves 12 communities across Marin County and the greater Bay Area, including Sausalito, San Rafael, and San Francisco. Most jobs are scheduled within the same week - call or submit a request and we will confirm availability for your area.
Mortar is softer than brick by design - it absorbs movement and moisture so the masonry itself does not crack. In Mill Valley, which averages around 50 inches of rain per year, that absorption happens constantly. Water works into the joints, and when temperatures drop overnight, it expands. Most mortar lasts 25 to 30 years, but coastal fog and wet winters can shorten that window noticeably.
Yes - and in Mill Valley, which sits in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, this matters more than most places. A chimney with cracked mortar, a missing cap, or a deteriorated liner can allow burning embers to escape during normal fireplace use or let sparks enter the structure during a wildfire event. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends annual inspections for any chimney in active use.
A retaining wall that is leaning more than an inch or two, has large sections of missing mortar, or shows bricks that have shifted out of alignment may be past the point of simple tuckpointing. On hillside lots in Marin County, walls also handle significant water pressure during heavy rains. A qualified mason should assess whether the foundation is still sound before recommending repair or rebuild.
For driveways and hardscaping in the Bay Area, concrete typically outlasts asphalt in the local climate. Asphalt softens in warm temperatures and can crack in the clay soils common to Marin County hillsides. Concrete or interlocking pavers handle ground movement better and require less maintenance over a 20-plus year lifespan.
California law requires a contractor's license for most home improvement work over $500. A licensed contractor has passed a trade exam, carries required insurance, and can be held accountable by the California Contractors State License Board. Working with an unlicensed contractor means you have limited legal recourse if the work fails or goes unfinished. Always verify a license at cslb.ca.gov before signing.
The Bay Area sits on an active fault system, and even minor tremors cause masonry to shift and flex. This opens hairline cracks in mortar joints that are invisible from the outside but allow moisture in. After any notable shaking event, it is worth walking your chimney and exterior masonry walls and looking for new cracks or gaps - catching earthquake-related damage early prevents larger water intrusion problems.
Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry is a licensed and insured masonry contractor based in Mill Valley, CA, serving 12 communities across Marin County and the greater Bay Area since 2020.
We hold a current California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) contractor license and carry full general liability insurance on every project. Our license is verifiable at cslb.ca.gov.
Since 2020, we have completed projects across all 16 masonry service categories - from foundation stabilization and chimney repair to custom outdoor kitchens and stone veneer installation. We work on homes ranging from early-1900s craftsman bungalows to newer hillside construction throughout Marin County.
Hairline cracks in mortar joints are normal and can be monitored. Cracks wider than a pencil, stair-step patterns along mortar lines, or any crack that is growing over months are signs to call a professional now rather than after the next rainy season.
Late spring through early fall - roughly May through October - is the best window in Mill Valley. Fresh mortar needs dry conditions to cure. Scheduling before summer gives your repairs the longest dry period before the November rains arrive.
A line-by-line breakdown of the work, materials, and labor. A clear statement of whether permits are needed and who handles them. A warranty section. Never sign an estimate that is just a total number with no detail - it leaves you with no recourse if the scope changes.
The Brick Industry Association publishes free technical resources for homeowners on mortar selection and maintenance. If you have questions about your specific masonry, the most reliable next step is an in-person assessment - call us at (628) 257-3020 or submit a request online.
Mill Valley is a small city of about 14,000 people tucked into the hills of southern Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Many of its homes sit on steep, wooded lots carved into the slopes of Mount Tamalpais, with narrow roads, challenging access, and lot conditions that demand a contractor who has actually worked here. Learn more about the city at the Mill Valley Wikipedia page.
The housing stock is diverse - craftsman bungalows and redwood cottages from the early 1900s sit alongside mid-century ranches in Tam Valley and newer hillside construction above downtown. Many properties feature original brick chimneys, stone retaining walls, and terraced gardens that require ongoing masonry attention. A significant share of Mill Valley homes were built before 1950, and the combination of older masonry, coastal fog, and annual rainfall of 45 to 50 inches per year means mortar and brick need regular care to hold up.
Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry has been working on Mill Valley homes since 2020 - from properties near Muir Woods and the downtown area around the Depot to hillside lots above Miller Avenue. We understand what the terrain, the rainfall, and the wildfire risk mean for homes here - and we bring that knowledge to every estimate.
By appointment only, no walk-ins.
Custom Mill Valley Concrete & Masonry
53 Matilda Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941
info@millvalleyconcreteandmasonry.com
Always open, 24/7.
Get a free on-site estimate from Mill Valley's trusted masonry contractor - no pressure, no obligation.