Planning a Large-Scale Masonry Restoration Project: Timeline & Phases

You know that sinking feeling when you look up at your building and see crumbling mortar joints? Maybe some bricks are loose, or worse… you're starting to see actual structural issues. When you're dealing with large-scale masonry restoration, sure, you want it to look good. But there's so much more happening here, you're literally saving a piece of history while making sure nobody gets hurt when chunks of brick start falling.

TL;DR: A successful large-scale masonry restoration requires 6-12 months of careful planning across four key phases: assessment, design, preparation, and execution.

We’ve walked through countless large masonry projects over the years, and here's what we wish all clients knew about the timeline expectations.

Phase 1: Initial Assessment and Documentation (Months 1-2)

First things first - we need to know exactly what we’re dealing with.

Our team needs to evaluate the entire building. Not just the obvious problem areas. Think of it like going to a physical therapist for knee pain - they'll check your hip alignment, your ankle mobility, even how you're walking. Because sometimes that "knee problem" is actually your tight hamstring throwing everything off balance.

So that small crack on the third floor might actually be connected to foundation settling that affects the whole east wall. While you may not always get the answers your bank account wants to hear, it’s so important to work with an expert who’ll be honest; not just tell you what you want to hear.

When we give our estimates, we take countless photos, measurements, and material samples. We’ve worked on jobs where we discovered three different types of brick had been used in previous repairs. Without proper documentation, we would've created a patchwork mess.

Key deliverables:

• Structural assessment report

• Historical research (if applicable)

• Photographic documentation

• Material analysis

Phase 2: Design and Permitting (Months 2-4)

Now comes the paperwork. Lots of it.

Historic buildings require special permits. Even non-historic structures often need city approval for major exterior work. The sooner you get the ball rolling on your historic masonry project, the better. In this stage, permit delays can push your timeline back by months.

At a high level, each restoration plan needs to address:

• Which materials to use (matching original vs. modern alternatives)

• Scaffolding requirements

• Weather protection systems

• Phasing to minimize disruption

Pro tip: If your building is occupied, plan the work in sections. Nobody wants to live or work in a construction zone for six months straight. Our team at JMS Masonry has worked on dozens of apartments and condos in the Greater Boston area, so we know the importance of working smart to keep tenants happy (while still completing the work in a timely manner!)

Phase 3: Pre-Construction Preparation (Month 5)

This phase separates the pros from the amateurs.

Scaffolding goes up first. Good scaffolding isn't cheap, but it's essential for both safety and quality work. We’ve unfortunately seen projects where corner-cutting on scaffolding led to uneven repairs and worker injuries.

Material procurement happens now too. Special-order bricks or custom mortar mixes can take weeks to arrive.

Also, weather protection systems get installed (because Mother Nature doesn't care about our construction schedule, and these Boston winters are no joke!)

Phase 4: Restoration Execution (Months 6-10)

Now is when the actual restoration begins.

Repointing mortar joints is an art form. The new mortar needs to match the original in strength, color, and texture. Too strong, and it'll crack the surrounding bricks. Too weak, and it won't last.

Critical success factors:

• Proper mortar mixing ratios

• Adequate curing time between phases

• Quality control inspections

• Weather monitoring

Some days will have lots of visible progress. Others, major storms will shut the work down for several days. Build buffer time into your schedule.

Managing Timeline Expectations

Weather will mess with the schedule. So will permit offices. And those hidden structural problems you didn't see coming? They'll definitely throw us off track.

A realistic timeline for major masonry restoration runs 8-12 months from start to finish, bur it varies! Smaller projects might wrap up in just 4-6 months. 

The Bottom Line

Masonry restoration takes time, expertise, and a lot of patience. The work itself isn't flashy, but when everything comes together, you've just added decades to a building's life and saved yourself from even higher costs down the road.

Every phase matters. Skip the assessment, and you'll miss critical issues. Rush the permitting, and you'll face stop-work orders. Skimp on preparation, and the execution phase becomes chaos.

Ready to tackle your masonry restoration project? Get a detailed quote from JMS Masonry to understand your specific timeline and requirements. Our team has managed complex restoration projects across the region, and we'll help you navigate each phase successfully.