We loved working with Paul on our fireplace remodel. He was so helpful through the entire process and helped bring our vision of using decorative ceramic tile into reality. He is clearly very talented with masonry as he was able to pull off this complicated job flawlessly - all in one day. He also does a superb job of keeping the work area sectioned off from the rest of the house. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to spruce up their fireplace. read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Fireplace Services Near Me

We met Paul Walker about a month ago when he began to work on our poor condemned chimney. He is a consummate professional and five star contractor. His right hand man Hector is no less than an artist and Ricky was friendly, helpful, and productive. They left an immaculate worksite and also saved a trumpet vine by folding it back instead of cutting it, which I had given them permission to do. Wow. I won't go through the technical details, as a review below me has done a splendid job. What I will say is that the one and two star reviews below are obviously personality issues and have nothing to do with the quality of this high performing contractor. Please ignore them: they are silly. Paul also recommended an outstanding roofer and subsequently a plasterer, both superb. All five star all the time. I can't say enough. Paul saved us so much time and so many hassles, because here we are, new to San Diego, trying to fix up a house that was left in way worse shape than we were led to believe (Who takes advantage of Covid 19? I know! Carla Coshaw, realtor). He is, simply put, our hero. read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Before: chimney condemned by inspector. - Fireplace Services Near Me

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Paul and his team recently redid our "stock" fireplace and turned it into a beautiful center piece in our home. They were fast and efficient, clean and careful, friendly and professional. We would highly recommend Paul and his team for any work you may be considering. I am so in love with my newly designed fireplace. 10 Stars for sure! I am in awe of the minimal invasion and fantastic workmanship. Thank you, Paul! read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Fireplace Services Near Me

Paul Walker and his crew, Hector and Ricky, are top notch, professional and courteous. It was a real pleasure working with Paul through the design process of our new fireplace that was built from the ground up. We're in love with the look... these guys are stone artists, truly. Paul's experience in fireplaces really shined through on this project, as I found I could lean on him for suggestions. Great job, guys. We're looking forward to hanging our stockings on the mantle for the first time this year. read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Paul, a great guy to work with. - Fireplace Services Near Me

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Called today for more information. I told him about the job in decent detail (relining the interior of a chimney). He told me about the $75 fee which isn't outrageous, but when I asked "what's a ballpark estimate for this kind of work, I don't want to waste your time" he replied "well, best of luck then" and ended the conversation. I can understand this attitude keeps your jobs exclusive and cuts out a lot of customers that aren't serious, but it's a poor attitude toward potential customers. I will be getting this work done on my home in the future, but I will absolutely not be using him. read more

The fireplace that Paul helped to create has changed our home. So often my kids turn it on to warm up after soccer practice, or enjoy a TV show on a cold day. When we entertain guests it truly is the centerpiece of our home. I did initially come upon some resistance to spending our resources with my hubby. But, he is frequently the one with his heels kicked up after a hard workday, book in hand, and completely loving the family hearth. Thank you for making my dream come true. I'm so proud of the design I created, and what you engineered with your skill and experience. I'm looking forward to working with you in the future as I do have another fireplace that I would love to beautify enjoy more with my family. Yours, Kirsten Sage read more

I had a conversation over the phone with Paul about a project in Los Angeles. At this time he was not able to leave town due to current projects, but he gave me suggestions and recommendations without expecting anything in return. Thank you Paul! read more

Paul is the consummate professional and the man knows his craft. We converted from a formed drywall fireplace with no mantel to a beautiful natural stone look and a custom mantel (done separately). The job was completed earlier than expected, all in one day and no mess left behind. I did have one small item to follow up on after the fact and Paul was right on it with Hector coming out to complete the work within 2 days. Hector is as personable as Paul and I am happy to recommend Custom Masonry and Fireplace Design to everyone! read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Fireplace Services Near Me

The work was done as described, within the time specified and with complete attention to minimizing the impact of their efforts on our home and comfort. I particularly appreciated Paul's willingness to make sure that we we had a basic understanding of what needed to be done and why, since chimney masonry is not an area we have a lot of knowledge about. He patiently repeated and reassured us throughout the process. It is clear that this work is his passion and he brings exceptional professionalism and skill to the job. The actual work involved essentially rebuilding the fireplace chimney from the inside out. There was combustible material behind the vertical lining of the chimney/flue and the back wall was cracked from years of water seeping inside the chimney. There was also significant cracking in the chimney crown, among other issues. Paul Walker and his crew removed the existing face tile, removed the combustible material and rebuilt everything with new tile bonded to brick. They removed the back wall of the firebox and plastered the smoke chamber with high heat mortar.. On the outside, they covered the outside of the chimney with stone, which not only strengthened the structure but also enhanced the appearance. read more

Paul Walker is a craftsman, expert, and honest contractor. He and his crew reconstructed our chimney and fireplace, and they did so with care, attention to detail, and artistry. Paul kept us informed about hiccups along the way, and his team got after it when a huge block of concrete was discovered under the chimney! They took no short-cuts, which we appreciated. I would highly recommend Paul and his team for any and all masonry projects! read more

Appointment booked for today 9-930am, which was confirmed verbally over the phone when placed and again by text message... Only for him to be a no show the day of. Not even a call to say something came up. And no response to the text we sent this morning after 9am. And it's now 9:50am. Just got a call back from him around 9:55am, during which he "offered" time in his schedule for an appointment this afternoon, yet at no point did he offer an apology for his complete no-show or lack of respect for our time wasted. Appears the owner lambasts Yelp for "hiding" his 5 star reviews... But if his blatant disrespect for others' time is any indicator of how he runs his business, it is possible there may be some rationale behind his current star rating other than a Yelp conspiracy theory. I should have known when my spouse told me he charges $75 to provide a quote. I was shocked to hear this... interesting he charges others for his time - does this mean I get $75 for the time I lost this morning waiting around on him? ;) read more

Paul made an appointment with me to give a bid, and he communicated by phone when he was to be 2 hours early. I appreciate that courtesy. I had sent him a tile idea by email in advance (which he didn't comment on) and asked for a rough bid (which he didn't provide). He immediately said when he arrived that he didn't like the tile I had picked for my fireplace, and he didn't like an alternative I showed him. He suggested that I make the fireplace the focal point of the bedroom, which wasn't my plan. Paul didn't really listen to any of my concerns and dismissed my ideas. The only reason I called a fireplace guy instead of a tile guy was because I had a question about the "code" for changing the width of my tile surround, which is 8" on one side and 18" on the other. I was hoping to switch to 8" on both sides. He first stated that codes are "model specific." I said, no, I thought they were for the whole city...? Paul clarified and said he didn't know the code tile width necessary for my fireplace and suggested I stick to the current width. But... I really wanted to know the rules, and Paul just didn't know. He came up with what felt like an outrageously high bid of $3500-$4200 just for the labor to retile an existing, relatively small bedroom fireplace. Materials not included. Thus, I spent $75 for a bid (and perhaps 5 minutes of Paul's time) that was of absolutely no use to me--he suggested materials that I had not chosen and the labor was substantially above my budget. He could not answer my one question. If he had been willing to respond to my email with any comments, I would not have wasted my time or money. Paul did not do the work for my fireplace, so this is not a review of his work, but of his bidding process. 5/15/14 Paul called me today to respond to this review. He was argumentative but he did offer to not deposit the check I gave him. I never received a formal bid from him. I have another bid from a stone installer recommended by the stone store, which came in at $1800. Paul said he didn't follow through with emailing or sending me a proper bid because he could tell I was really unhappy with him at the time ... but he did insist on getting a check that day, for what that's worth, despite my obvious discomfort with his process. I don't usually pay for bids. It's clear to me that reasonable people may realize that it's not a good "fit" to work together on a project. I need someone who gives advice on my choices but doesn't insist that it's their way or the highway. Although I am grateful that Paul is returning my $75, I would still advise that potential clients consider the bid process vs the usual free bid where one gets a chance to meet a contractor in person and assess the "fit" and communication style before proceeding. It was clear to me again on the phone today that Paul's communication style, which is less collaborative, is not a good fit for me. read more

Our refaced brick fireplace is now covered in richly colored Eldorado stone, thanks to Paul and his efficient and artistic crew. We are so delighted by our new fireplace and highly recommend that you call Paul Walker, a true expert in masonry, who has turned our room into a gorgeous haven! read more

Just want to say what a good, professional experience I had with Paul. We have a situation with some roof leakage around the chimney. I emailed Paul photos and we discussed it at length over the phone. He was friendly, polite and THOROUGH about our situation. We still haven't made a decision on what we're going to do as Paul himself explained some various options--some of which he himself doesn't do. But that's part of what impressed me so much. He actually told me about options we might look into, even though it would mean someone else would get the business. Nice to see someone else put the needs of the customer ahead of their own--which is why I wouldn't hesitate to use or recommend Paul in the future. read more

I had some questions about a damaged outdoor gas fireplace and I bounced around the internet and the phone talking to various people unsuccessfully and then when I connected with Paul Walker, what a change. Paul took the time to walk me through where we are with our existing system and what our best options might be. He was so informative and helpful, look forward to working with him on our new system,! read more

So we had Paul out for an estimate to tear down and rebuild a Rampart General Chimney for our 2 story house. He charged to come out for the estimate. He was familiar with the issue concerning Ramparts and said he has inspected (and presumably given estimates for) about 100 of them. When I asked how many he actually did he replied about 10. He prepared a formal estimate. His work was in excess of $42,000 and that did not include a fee for an architect or the permit which he thought would be in the $3,000+ neighborhood. Pretty pricey. Needless to say we didn't accept the bid. Nice guy though. read more

Paul was great, a really friendly and patient guy. I pestered him with questions and he was straightforward and honest. I appreciate someone who shares their knowledge and tries to help steer you in the right direction, but who also understands it's your money that's being spent. Our fireplace is part of an add-on construction that is kind of odd-it posed a challenge. Paul offered ideas and advice that were very welcome, and he never pushed. We moved into a house which had an eyesore for a fireplace; I mean it was ugly. Not only that, it was cracked inside; a fire hazard. We did have someone over before Paul to give us a quote on the repairs. In the end, Paul did what was necessary without trying to upsell us a bunch of unneeded jobs and equipment. That's what you get with someone who owns and runs their own business. We hired Paul to repair the inside of our fireplace, demo the ugly exterior, rebuild the firebox, and build a new, more attractive exterior. He walked us through the choices and made it easy for us. Not only that, but he managed to squeeze us in when we told him we wanted to have it done before Christmas. Paul and his employee were respectful of our home and took great pains to protect everything around their work area. The entire work area was an amazing mess, but it was all contained and isolated from the rest of the house. When he finally unveiled the job, there wasn't a speck of dust or any sign of their presence whatsoever. Except for the beautiful new fireplace and mantle. I don't have a better picture at the moment..there's a mantle I failed to include in the picture. But, on Paul's website there are loads of pictures of his work. read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Fireplace Services Near Me

Paul and his crew were done in 3 days and the room was spotless when they left. Fireplace is almost unrecognizable. Looks great! Highly recommended! read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - What a transformation! - Fireplace Services Near Me

I discovered that my chimney was leaking after the recent rains and was referred to Paul by a local chimney sweeper. Paul was very friendly and hospitable to work with. We discussed the price and got on his schedule. Paul and his crew were at my residence on the day/time he said he would be there and took great care to prep the work area in order to keep my furniture from getting dirty. Paul rebuilt the fireplace and chimney from the roof up. He realigned the flues and created a new concrete cap. The fireplace looks amazing and the chimney from the outside looks cosmetically the same as the original (except completely new). We are grateful to work with Paul and will call him again when we are ready to do the surrounding fireplace wall. read more

I want to start off by saying that both Paul and his assistant Hector were such great people to work with from beginning to end, not to mention the fact that their work is the absolute best in the industry. We found Paul because he came highly recommended by our architect to rebuild the masonry fireplace in our 1920s Spanish-style home. From the moment we called Paul to inquire about his work he was curteous, professional, knowledgeable and most importantly RESPONSIVE. Ok regarding bids, we also called his competitor just because we wanted to see what our options were. When it came to pricing, both were the same, give or take a few dollars. On "first impression" both were also the same and equally likeable. But what would have naturally been a deal breaker- Paul's nominal fee for coming to our home to prepare a bid- turned out to be a good thing! Allow me to explain: what you get by paying Paul his small fee is much more than what anyone could expect to get even with an estimate that's paid for. First, we got his bid immediately (within 24 hours). Secondly, his bid was extremely detailed and easy to understand with the cost of everything broken down. In it there were no hidden costs or fees and the fireplace building process was clearly outlined in a chronological manner. Thirdly he provided us with various options as a starting date. And lastly he was responsive to all our questions and maintained contact via email giving us updates regarding permitting and start dates. The competitor, did none of the things Paul did which in retrospect makes sense as we hadn't paid him anything. In fact, the time and effort Paul gave us in the beginning I feel like was worth much more than the small fee he asked for for coming to our home (which by the way gets credited back to you if you hire him). Had we known from the start how solid Paul would turn out to be, we would've been willing to pay more for that estimate! So in case you haven't figured it out by now, we decided to go with Paul Walker of Custom Masonry and Fireplace design. It was a very easy decision for the reasons mentioned above (he was extremely responsive and attentive). And though there were a few hiccoughs at the start of our project- none of which were Paul's doing- Paul once again was very attentive to our needs and seemed to genuinely care about our feelings regarding the situation. He even ended up giving us a huge discount for the inconveniences that again were not his fault. Now about the actual work, I want to reiterate that it is top-notch . And I am what you call "Type A" so when I say "quality" it means his work was vetted with a discerning eye that pays extremely close attention to details. And when our finished product (specifically the fireplace mantle and arch) did not appear the way we had envisioned, Paul did not argue with us, defending his work, nor did he slap us with a bill with added fees for the extra work to make the changes. He showed humility and listened carefully to what we were saying and ended up giving us exactly what we asked for and the finished product was simply perfect. I should add that we were also extremely pleased with the work of all the tradesman he recommended including electrician (we had to fix a bad electrical wiring situation around the original fireplace), plumber (to set up the gas line to the new fireplace), plasterer, and roofer. In fact we ended up using the electrician and plumber for other projects, that's how good they were! When Paul and Hector were finished at the end of each work day they were meticulous about leaving their workspace clean and properly disposed of all trash which was a plus. And one more thing worth mentioning, that is equally, if not the most important observation of Paul, is his candor. I mention it because unfortunately we have been burned by people we've hired (and paid) to do work on the house and turns out that they were unequiped to do the job we commissioned them to do and as a result, we were left feeling both angry and cheated after the deal was done. Perhaps you've experienced this- the person over sells themselves leading you to falsely believe that they are more capable than they really are. However I cannot imagine that you would have this kind of experience dealing with Paul. We came into our fireplace project with a special tile that we wanted set in a specific way on the hearth floor but Paul took the tiles and spent some days thinking about how he would execute the layout but he later came back to us saying he would not be able to give us what we described. His honesty really threw us off. At first were were a little disappointed but the disappointment quickly turned into respect and gratefulness because as it turned out the tiles did not go with the style of our home in addition to the fact that we did not have the space for them. In summation, if you are looking to have a custom fireplace built, don't waste your time reading more reviews and call Paul now. read more

From the moment I contacted Paul until the completion of our job, Paul has been wonderful, professional, more than fair and extremely knowledgeable. He refaced my fireplace after I had demoed the old existing fireplace myself. He had to rebuild part of the fireplace that I'd taken down by mistake. While we chose which tile to work with, Paul did an amazing job of selecting the best tiles from our supply in order to give us a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing look to our fireplace. He ordered the firebeads for us and sold them to us at his cost, he installed a spark arrestor for just the cost of materials, and he repaired some cracks to the chimney outside for free. Also, while his employee Hector was repairing the chimney, he noticed a brick missing from our brick bbq. Hector put the brick back in place without even asking me, let alone charging me. I think that goes way beyond the call of duty. I am thrilled with the outcome of our fireplace and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design to anyone. Paul also took the time to recommend a company to custom make our new mantel. As soon as the mantel is complete, I will be posting pics to show how beautiful a job Paul and Hector did. I am one satisfied customer! read more

Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design - Our fireplace before Paul transformed it. - Fireplace Services Near Me

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Paul is one of the rudest and meanest people I have ever come across. Don't call this guy if you need a good service. Don't even waste your time. Hire someone who is interested in providing a good service. Showed up late to an appointment and left without an explanation saying he is not interested in the job. read more

Summary of Work performed: Repaired flue and installed new fireplace backing with new chimney interior. Removed old painted cinder block fireplace and installed new facing. Installed new spark arrestor. Cleaned up and removed rubbish. Details: After looking at an eyesore of a fireplace for too many years and meeting other companies, I selected Paul to do the work after meeting with him for an on-site opinion and estimate. The original cinder block and plank mantle had been painted about five times (judging from the paint I had to scrape and sand off the mantle), and it was time for a real change. On the appointed morning, the workers showed up punctually and ready to work. They put a plastic dust barrier up and protected the hardwood floors so the dust and noise were well contained. Throughout the two-day job I got regular updates on the progress; the workers were courteous, personable, and professional. The cleanup was fast and thorough. Custom Masonry and Fireplace Design doesn't do new mantles, but they have a good working relationships with The Wood Furniture Factory in National City (http://www.thewoodfurniturefactory.com/) and Bret Qua was very helpful in choosing a design for the new fireplace. I supplied a leftover plank from my hardwood floor and he matched the color well. All in all, I am very, VERY pleased with the new fireplace and mantle. The pricing was at the higher end of my budget bracket, but in retrospect Paul gave me my money's worth. read more

Paul and Hector did an amazing job! Paul came out and gave me a solid quote to get my 1920's fireplace and chimney back in working order. They showed up on time and very friendly. Paul and Hector meticulously cordoned off the living room from the rest of the house to ensure that no dust from the the work would float around. They took care as to not damage any floors or the surrounding built in. The work only took them the one day, which I was amazed by! It really was near the brink of falling in (or at least that is what it looked like to me). The finished product is beautiful and I couldn't be happier with it! Paul also helped me to get a plumber in to cut off the old gas line and install a new line so that I can have a fire any time I want. Thank you again for your lovely work Paul and Hector! read more

Paul did a fabulous job on our fireplace and chimney. We had an old clunky one and it was replaced with a beautiful white stone that was a much better fit for our living room. He also got our chimney up to code. He was communicative and fair priced and listened to our needs. He got the job done in 3 days! I highly recommend! read more

With very few masonry options in San Diego County, we had concerns about finding a competent and trustworthy outfit. Enter Paul Walker's Custom Masonry and Fireplace Design. Things were smooth from the initial inspection through the repair of our Chimney's cracked flue tiles. Paul's a busy guy but squeezed us in when an availability opened a few weeks prior to our scheduled repair. Paul and his crew arrived on-time, finished on schedule (and slightly under-budget!), and left no traces they'd even been in the house (besides the safe and functional fireplace). Great experience. Would do it all over again... read more

We recently bought a new home which has an original Batchelder fireplace that needed some work. I reached out to a couple of fireplace companies and received two estimates. Immediately when I met Paul, I knew I had found the right person. He was very professional, courteous, knowledgeable and kind! He knew exactly what the fireplace needed for us to burn wood safely, and his pricing was extremely competitive. Paul made the necessary repairs/upgrades and we could not be more pleased with both him, and his work. We light the fireplace regularly and we would not even think about using anyone else for any fireplace needs that we may have. We highly recommend Paul and Custom Masonry & Fireplace Design. read more

In October, Paul and his crew refaced our ugly brick fireplace and built it up so that it had hearth seat as opposed to being one brick level up from the floor. He did a beautiful job, within our budget, and on time. Prior to the job, he met with us, explained our options and gave us a quote on the spot. I wish I had more money to have him do more work! If you are considering any work to be done on your fireplace, definitely call Paul out for an estimate - you won't be disappointed. read more

Was very pleased with Paul's work. He moved some mountains to get the fireplace done on short notice in two days of work, showed up exactly when he said he would, and came in right at his quote. The $75 he charges for an estimate seems quite reasonable, given how many people I'm sure ask for quotes and then don't follow through. He also referred a gas fireplace installer and electrician who were just as good, and helped coordinate the requirements between the three of them in terms of television mounts, code clearances, gas and electrical positioning, etc. The work is clean and very well done. Would gladly recommend him again. read more

We own a 1990 single story spanish style home. The fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom were both celebrations of "styleless stucco". Paul designed and installed the most beautiful rustic style spanish fireplaces that completely changed the personality of the rooms. He worked quickly and produced a high quality product. My wife and I both agree that he is the most professional and personable individual that has ever worked on our home. Very satisfied and grateful, Lenny Comma read more

Great Quality Work with Super Attention to Detail We bought a historic home with a fireplace that needed a great deal of work, inside and out. We asked Paul Walker of Custom Masonry & Fireplace Inc. to re-line the chimney, and then also raise the top height level; demolish the fireplace and hearth; then rebuild those same sections; and then finally re-tile all of it. The end result is much much more than we could have expected....Paul is an absolute Craftsman at his trade! Along the way he and his team took exceptional care to be clean and tidy, and to be really meticulous when it came to every small detail. Paul also offered suggestions at each stage of planning the project that allowed us to budget properly and plan the proper materials. If you have work to be done on your fireplace, have him in for a conversation before you make any other decisions. Thanks again Paul! Bill S. - San Diego, California read more

I couldn't be more pleased with my wonderful new fireplace. It came out exactly how I have imagined it would for quite some time. This turned out to be one of the best home projects I have ever done. I learned so much from Paul about fireplaces and look forward to many years of use. Paul gave me a schedule and followed it exactly. Paul and Hector are quite a team and work incredibly hard to get things done. Workmanship was amazing. I really appreciated how Paul went the extra mile to get my fireplace to the size I wanted. Picking my tile design was so much fun, but Paul's assistance in getting the design to work was amazing. His experience and judgement make all the difference. He turned an old stone relic into the centerpiece of my home. Couldn't be more please! read more

Paul and his crew did a great job getting my old 50's fireplace in working order. He was friendly, pleasant, communicative, arrived on time, and explained every step of what needed to be done with no pressure. Finished in less than 3 days, as promised. Highly recommend! read more

Our experience with Paul and his company was a positive one. Our fireplace and chimney re-structure turned out beautifully. We were given options for every part of the decision making process, with the differences and details for pros and cons to make an educated decision. Paul was able to recommend coordinate multiple contractors at the appropriate times for our job to run smoothly. read more

Paul relined one chimney and rebuilt another. He was very professional and worked quickly. He and his worker did a great job and I would highly recommend him. read more

You need to know how amazing and professional Paul Walker and his team were, and how beautiful his craftsmanship is. Paul and team took a very neglected corner of our living room and made it the pride of our home. I trusted his advise to make the changes to bring our fireplace up to code and keep our family safe. He had great vision, listened to our ideas, presented fact based counterpoints and presented additional ways to complete our mantel in a way we had not considered. Ultimately, his vision was the right one (and we have strong opinions!). We now have a fireplace that is warm, welcoming, safe and such a delight to see each morning from our kitchen as we make our coffee. Paul was honest in his bid, was EXTREMELY fastidious throughout the efficient engagement, and his whole crew was so professional. You may get a lower bid, but there is no chance you will get a better value with no need to address any nit-based issues post work. That is *invaluable* in this day and age. I cannot more highly recommend Paul Walker and team and San Diego Fireplaces. This is a company of great integrity and workmanship. I am so pleased that we chose them. Paul, happy to provide direct references for those who ask. Happy holidays my friend. read more

Paul and his crew fixed our old fireplace so we will be able to enjoy it again. Great job!

I wanted to completely remodel my fireplace and convert it to efficient gas. I saw Pauls work on line and contacted him. He was professional and courteous but very busy. He is clearly a master @ what he does as was the other people he recommended. His plasterer, Seamus, was excellent as was Yan who installed my gas log box. My fireplace has been transformed from boring and inefficient to the centerpiece of my family room. I would recommend his work as well as the clean up. read more

Paul re-lined and repointed my chimney. I'm very satisfied with the work. He's knowledgeable and reasonably priced. The work was done quickly, quietly and cleanly. I highly recommend him. read more

We had Paul completely rebuild our old ugly fireplace. He and his helper did a great job and we are very pleased with the results. The work was done very neatly with all the surrounding rooms in our house protected from dust and masonry powder with plastic sheets. He is very artistic and has good suggestions. We strongly recommend him for fireplace remodeling. read more