EAST COAST MASONS

East Coast Masons did an excellent job at a fair price. Owner Declan Twowig and his crew completed the job in less than a day. We would highly recommend his company.

The worst contractor experience I have ever had.

Excellent. Declan was professional at all times, and took great care to do an excellent job. He made some suggestions on improving the piping to the drainage trench which were helpful. The brick walls are backed by concrete blocks and include weep holes (for drainage). He then filled in behind the walls to even out the previously steep slope with crushed gravel followed by fill dirt, and after I put a layer of mulch on top the whole thing looks quite finished now and is ready for some plantings. Declan returned two or three times to make sure everything was perfect, include replacing a brick at the end of the wall that had been bumped and thus was not quite in place. He and his team of two worked without us looking over his shoulder (which he appreciated), but he happily explained what he was going to do each day, and showed us what he had accomplished at the end. It took a long time to get started, due to the frequent rains we had late this spring, but that's the weather's fault, not the company's. The entire job took about a week. One-third $ down, the rest when he was completely finished. We would definitely hire East Coast Masons again.

He came up with some good suggestions. He was very easy to work with and was able to work with our schedule.

Declan works the job himself with 2 helpers (José and Louis - they are brothers who have worked with Declan over 9 years). I have never met someone so amazing in terms of knowledge, experience, skill, and even fair pricing. We interviewed over 9 brick masons and companies for our extensive home addition and renovation. We have a mixed brick color and an orangey mortar. Each mason would declare the mortar to match would be C81...but, that mortar was clearly a beige and not a match at all. I am very picky and I also knew my project was complicated. Declan made his own mortar and mixed bricks in such a way that NO ONE can tell where the new and the old home is. Even the 2nd floor French door entry which was made into a window has brick filled in seamlessly. Declan is very popular due to his word of mouth recommendations. Don't be surprised if he takes time to visit or to start - he is well worth any wait. He kept us informed as to the start date. He also made sample boards to show me. In fact, we had to wait for him as we had not signed the contract soon enough and he had already committed to another job. He did keep us informed as to his start day. On the 2nd project, we have had cold weather cause a small delay. This is all weather delay. Declan has always been true to his word. When on the job he and his 2 helpers don't talk much as they know what to do and follow Declan's lead. The team's efficiency and work is a pleasure to observe. They know when to mix more mortar and when to pass more brick. Declan and the team are constantly measuring and keeping all plumb and square. Our 1st project was brick walls for 2 additions. The 2nd project that they are completing today is for afront patio and walkway as well as repairing our 77 year old stone walkway, backyard walkways with an ADA access, a large entertaining patio, a smaller garden patio, and a large complicated grilling patio with a seating wall steps and retaining wall. Declan is using stone and brick. We did meet with the landscape designer, Elin Haaga, several times. They worked very well together - they both asked great questions and came to wonderful solutions. There were elevation concerns and even water management to carefully consider. All has gone perfectly. In addition, I trust Declan. He is from southern Ireland (I actually have driven through his home town when I was on vacation with my family) and he has a great sense of humor and will also ask questions of the homeowner to assure that your project is picture perfect. I am pleased to send you pictures as well as well as to speak to any potential customers. I do know since Declan has worked here that a friend of mine also has used him and thinks highly of his work. My number is 301.717.9501. Kindly submitted - Marina

FANTASTIC!!! Declan gave me a reasonable estimate, showed up when he said he would and worked on the job himself. Instead of just rebuilding the retaining wall, Declan pulled capping stones that would match the flagstones, it looks awesome!!! Declan is a very nice, professional who I will definitely use again and refer to my real estate clients.

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Never called back.

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Declan Twohig and a subordinate replaced our chimney. The result was visually flawless, but unfortunately, after two years during which the fireplace and chimney were unused, the flagstone fell off the right chimney shoulder, and the left flagstone showed cracking in the concrete below it. I emailed Declan, requesting a repair. He offered to reset the right flagstone for $200. I replied that if he charged more than materials to repair the flagstone on an unused chimney that he built two years before, I would have someone else do the repair. Declan replied: "due to the very cold winter we had that sometimes happens with stone on shoulders they separate sorry." I responded: "If you don't take measures, I agree that things 'sometimes happen'. You might want to review your building methods." Declan replied: "you got to realize in America construction material is very poorly made especialy [sic] mortar and won't hold up to hot or cold weather i don't need to change America needs to make better material." A quick walk around the neighborhood showed that only Declan's flagstones protruded from the chimney shoulders (which they did by about one foot), so their extra, unnecessary weight added stress to the concrete adhering them to the chimney shoulders. I had another company repair both flagstones on Aug 3, 2014. The flagstones were cut to fit the shoulder, and masonry nails were used to support the chimney shoulders properly. I recommend against hiring East Coast Masons, but if they build your chimney, tell Declan that he should cut the flagstones to fit the chimney shoulders, and that he should use masonry nails to support the flagstones.

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Declan showed up just as scheduled to meet with me about the job. He proposed the work, and then invited me to come out to his own house where he'd done something similar to see what it would look like. I and my wife did just that and his house was excellent advertising for his skills. He delivered a proposal to us via email shortly after that. We elected, however, to go with an old family friend that gave us a nearly identical price. I would have been happy to go with East Coast Masons if the family friend didn't also bid on the work.

Declan, the owner showed up on time for the appointment. He was very knowledgeable and nice to deal with. The proposal was received in about a week. We were communicating mostly by phone or email over about three weeks, and he was happy to send me additional updates to the proposal, based on changes made during the planning process. If you want to have brick masonry done at the highest level, then he is your guy. My project ended up going in a slightly different direction, but I would definitely consider calling him for a proposal on any future masonry projects. Since he did not get the job, I can't give marks for quality and professionalism. However, Declan's project portfolio looks impressive, and his work shows a high quality of workmanship and attention to detail.

Declan and his crew delivered services on time and completed ahead of schedule.

The company owners Declan and Martin Twohig were in Boston for an Irish football meeting on the day construction started, leaving 2 labourers to square and lay out the footings for the foundations. They returned a few days later after the rebar was tied in to prepare for the pouring of the foundations. At the time of pouring I was taking some photos for my own personal album and was told by Declan to “get away” as I was making him nervous. Once the footings were poured and foundation built up, they parged the outside of said footings and foundations. When I asked about the wet proofing I was told that that was what the parging was for. I told Declan that the parging and cinderblock were porous and not a good material to use for wet proofing. At this time he told me to “stay off the f***ing Internet”. I also mentioned the fact that the existing back wall down to the existing foundation had not been wet proofed before back filling. We had an argument about it and he then told me he would wet proof the inside walls at a later date. Which now looking back doesn’t make sense.Another problem I had was the rough finish of the schedule 40 pole pads in the basement, Declans response was “ I thought it would be covered with carpet” even though they were dug out of a hand painted floor! Of course this would be fixed at a later date as well. When the framers informed me that (A) None of the foundation walls were square and (B) The crawl space footers to support the new addition floor were short in comparison to the existing floor (the addition and existing back room were supposed to feel like one big room, but instead you walk over a hump and then feel like your walking down hill to the back of the house) I called Declan. He sent out Martin to pad out (A) the most obvious mistakes, namely the back side wall of the garage/mudroom (a cinderblock wall, that should never have been higher than 6” above the slab, but now sits at approx 4 ft) The pad out is now cracking as it was never tied into the already dried parged wall. (B) Was never addressed by Declan. I also mentioned at this time that the newly poured garage and mudroom slab was not graded correctly and was lumpy to walk on, it was also not 6” above the existing driveway as indicated on the drawings. This time Martin, who was a little more understanding to our concerns, told me they would fix that problem afterwards by re-pouring more concrete to level out the bumps. This problem made me take a closer look at the front porch grading. Needless to say the front porch was also graded so water runs towards the house, not away. Again I was told this problem would be fixed when we decided to have it paved. Once the framers reached the front porch I was again told it was completely out of square and that my columns would overhang the porch, at this point I had had enough. I asked my husband to call Declan, as I was not in a very good mood. He did call Declan and at this time Declan accused my husband of threatening him and called him a f***** who did a woman’s job because of the fact he is an artist. He then went on to call me a stupid limey c**t and threatened to come over and burn our house down. I did call Declan after he insulted my husband and me and left him a scathing message. I never got a reply and have never seen him since. We ended up paying another mason to come in and dig out the perimeter of the addition to try and wet proof as best he could (even though a back deck had already been attached to part of it) at which time we found un-socked drain tile that we then had to pay to have removed and replaced with socked drain tile. We also had to pay the new mason to use a concrete wet saw and cut out the extra 4” of cinder block we had running around the inside perimeter of the garage and mudroom. At this point it was too late to remove the two walls that were supposed to sit at 6” above the garage slab. The smell that permeates from the garage and mudroom leads me to believe that a vapour barrier was never installed under any of the concrete slabs. The crawl space was never done either, as again, I was told the vapor barrier would be installed after the project was completed. Needless to say we had to pay someone else to do it. On top of everything else we still have chunks of concrete stuck to the face of our exterior brick, which, although it was power washed, still remains. I was astounded to read the reviews that East Coast Masons had received, which is what prompted me to write about my own experience with this so-called concrete expert (maybe he would have been called that in 1950). I think Declan took on more than he could chew, and was in way over his head, hence the insults thrown our way, and his final blow up to remove himself from a hole that he knew he couldn’t dig himself out of. We have contacted Montgomery County Office of consumer protection, but have neither had the time or the energy to properly file, since that has been taken up by fixing his mistakes. This company is obviously only good for wall repair and laying walkways and even then only if they don’t have to adhere to blueprints. If you are considering using East Coast Masons for a large foundation or slab job for renovation purposes, think again! See attached pictures.

The masons were prompt, neat and thorough, and their price was reasonable.

Amazing...Declan and the gang represent the top tier of service professionals. The work was of the highest quality, the price was more then fair and the integrity of the team was unwavering. They arrived early everyday rain/shine and never missed a day until the work was complete. If all contractors were as honest and fair as East Coast Masons, there wouldn't be a need for these reviews....Thanks guys!!!

Declan and his team was very pleasant to work with on our project. He provided options for two projects, gave us an estimate for the work. Due to a change in our budget we had to reduce the scope of the project. Declan was understanding and adjusted the project to meet our needs. Declan personally called to let us know that the exact brick was no longer available to match our1940's house. He had his crew bring over several options in person that were close and let us make the decision. We were given updates on when the team would start due to the wet weather. Once on site, the team completed the project on schedule and for the agreed upon price with no surpises. Communication was good, Declan was available by phone when called and provided solutions, even driving over in traffic to update the estimate price. I would not hesitate to work with Declan again for our masonary or concrete needs.

over all excellent and we will call again if we need mason work.

It was great. They also fixed some flag stone for us and that was done well also. In addition, Declan did a bit of pro bono work for our daughter's school - put in a brick patio with bricks that had been engraved as a fundraiser... very nice of him to do.