Cole Masonry

07/26/2026

A current project we are working and discovered these bricks and we all know how much we love bricks! Here is a little history on where these bricks were originated from.

New England Brick Company (NEBCO)

• Formed in 1900 through consolidation of multiple brick plants across New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine) and New York.
• At its peak, it controlled over 30 brickyards and had a production capacity of around 180 million bricks per year (early 20th century figures).
• Known for common brick and “Harvard bricks” used in Georgian Revival buildings around Harvard University in the 1910s–1920s.
• Operations used local surface clays. The company faced bankruptcy issues early on, restructured, and largely wound down by the mid-1950s (Cambridge, MA yard closed ~1952; other sites later). It is now defunct.

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07/17/2026

New Clamp making our lives easier.

07/09/2026

It's definitely been ages since we've rocked some old school stone work and apparently we still haven't lost the touch on this project we're using old New England rounds and flats and more progress photos are on their way!

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all dads, enjoy your day.

06/17/2026

The bitterness of “Poor Quality “ is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Everyone wants the cheapest price.

Until it's their house.

Until it's their foundation.

Until it's their chimney.

Until it's their retaining wall collapsing.

The cheapest contractor is rarely the cheapest outcome.

The best contractors spend years learning what not to do.

You're not paying for bricks, mortar, concrete, or labor.

You're paying for experience.

You're paying for mistakes that have already been made and learned from.

You're paying for someone who knows how to get it right the first time.

Price is what you pay.

Cost is what you live with.

05/30/2026

A new foundation was required for this small camp addition. We utilized hydraulic jacks and support columns to lift the 16’x22’ structure sufficiently to remove the existing foundation. Following the removal, we demolished and removed the old footing, which was only a few inches thick. Subsequently, we excavated for a new 12” footing, installed rebar, and poured new concrete. New CMU was installed, solidly grouted at each corner and every 4’ with rebar reinforcement. The structure was then lowered back to its original height.

05/23/2026

We recently completed a stucco project that involved integrating it with multiple other tasks. Our team thoroughly pressure washed the block foundation areas and repointed sections that required repair. A two-coat application of gray stucco was applied to achieve a high-quality finish, thereby restoring the appearance of the block foundations.

05/08/2026

Another appropriately configured chimney setup is currently underway. As per standard protocol, scaffolding is being erected to ensure safety and protect the roof shingles from potential damage. This chimney requires only minor repair work, consisting of repointing, re-flashing, and applying a seal coat.

04/12/2026

The final images from the 18th-century restoration project. We commenced by dismantling the chimney's top section, salvaging the bricks for the owners to repurpose elsewhere on the premises. Subsequently, we proceeded to the second floor, where we reutilized all the bricks for the interior fireplace, meticulously cleaning them in the process. Next, we rebuilt the first-floor fireplace's hearth, firebox, and oven floor using Waterstruck Restoration Bricks. We restored the oven, which had been damaged during a previous renovation, thereby reviving its functionality. Moving forward, we reconstructed the smoke chamber for both the fireplace and oven. The second-floor chimney was constructed using concrete masonry units. Finally, we installed new lead flashing, Waterstruck Restoration Brick and concrete cap, and top-mounted dampers, incorporating modern technology. This project was particularly noteworthy for our team, and we are grateful for the opportunity to restore the fireplace to its operational state.

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04/10/2026

This setup is slated for demolition. The traffic cone is concealing an issue that requires stinky situation. A chimney was recently completed after undergoing minor repairs, which involved repositioning a settled mantle on the fireplace. The existing wall was demolished, reframed, and refurbished with new drywall and trim to achieve a flush finish, and the mantle was reinstalled.