We hired Brick by Brick Masonry LLC to repair our front steps, but the experience turned out to be extremely disappointing.
We chose this company because it had 58 five-star reviews on Google and offered a higher price than other contractors. We believed that paying more would mean better quality — unfortunately, it was the opposite.
Unexpected Price Increase: On the first day of work, the contractor claimed that the three steps originally scheduled for repair needed to be completely rebuilt and demanded an additional $1,100 without any written agreement.
Poor Work Quality: After completion, the step heights were inconsistent. The township inspector confirmed that the work did not comply with New Jersey building standards and posed a safety concern.
Communication Issues: When my wife pointed out the problems and sent photos, the contractor became emotional and raised his voice, insisting that everything was fine. This caused her significant stress. Under this pressure, she ultimately paid most of the remaining balance.
Lack of After-Service: The contractor never provided the promised construction documentation and did not respond meaningfully to our follow-up requests.
Here are the main issues that remain with the stairs:
1️⃣ Excessive Cement Thickness — The step surfaces were covered with about 2 inches of cement, making the proportions unbalanced and the overall appearance awkward. The surface is rough and uneven.
2️⃣ Water Pooling — After rain, water collects on the steps, showing that no proper drainage slope was set.
3️⃣ Unfinished Edges — The joint between the steps and ground lacks proper border stones, leaving exposed gravel and an uneven transition.
4️⃣ Rough Mortar Joints — The joints between the new and existing brickwork are uneven in color and texture, creating a poor visual finish.
5️⃣ No Construction Records — Despite repeated requests, the contractor never provided photos of the work process, leaving us unable to confirm whether the internal structure meets contract or safety requirements.
In addition, our lawn was damaged during the construction.
We sent multiple written requests asking the contractor to correct the issues. He replied that “the work is already good enough” and told us “not to contact him again.”
We initially believed that hiring a highly rated company would ensure better results, but this experience taught us otherwise: always verify the details and check reviews carefully before signing any contract.
The contractor has not proposed any reasonable solution. Instead, he repeatedly called my wife, insisting that he had “done his best.”
The photos clearly show that the construction defects were never properly corrected — the step heights are uneven, the surface is rough, and the drainage slope is incorrect, all of which violate New Jersey building standards.
Throughout this process, the contractor never offered any practical or good-faith solution. Instead, he responded with “legal letters” and payment demands, attempting to pressure us.
We have tried to communicate reasonably and seek a fair resolution, but after multiple unsuccessful attempts, we have no choice but to resolve this matter through legal means.
This experience also taught us that Google reviews are not always reliable — a hard lesson we learned the costly way.