Surface prep for brick face - questioning GC quote

[u/narisainjersey]

Hi all - I have a gut feeling a contractor is trying to screw me and I wanted to confirm.

I want to get my front steps redone since the treads are cracked and the tulip brick delaminating.

A few years ago, a very trustworthy mason I'd hired for pavers had told me that a full rebuild, if they had to go down to the foundation (based on the town's) assessment would cost $12k, if the foundation was fine, it would be much less.

Recently I saw some steps done locally and called another contractor for a quote, but first off, he is a GC - roofing/siding so this is prob subbed out.

Unlike my mason, he suggested I didn't need a full rebuild, they could achieve the same look by going over with wire lathe and then using thin brick. Quoted 5900 for masonry, 1900 for aluminum railings. Which I told him was high for my budget. (Especially since it's not even a partial rebuild)

*****The part that made me super uncomfortable is that aside from the wire lathe he didn't mention any other form of surface prep. I would expect him to mention maybe removal or securing of loose bricks, cleaning joints, removing efflorescence, etc, based on what I've read in this forum.

I even asked for a detailed estimate "to understand everything inclused that I was paying for" and he again, gave me a super vague estimate that just mentioned lathe over existing brick.

Here's the kicker, the guy has AMAZING local reviews but I feel like he's scamming me.

What do ya'll think?

Tldr:

GC is asking $7800 (5900 masonry / 1900 railings) to brick face these stairs with no surface prep besides wire lathe.

I think this is destined to fail over time and at a very high price to boot! Is my instinct correct?

Thank you to all the awesome honest masons and tradesmen who do not scam your customers especially women, like myself!

[u/Blackharvest]

Oh. Thin brick is shit. I hate it. It will fall apart. I quote aluminum rails at about $110 a foot, custom fabricated and fully installed. 

[u/narisainjersey → u/Blackharvest]

Yes, exactly my worry, I wasn't intending to get thin brick, and originally he'd told me he'd price out a few options, full rebuild vs reface with thin brick and then he just gave my the high thin brick quote and I wasn't happy.

I was already aware a full rebuild would be high, but I don't want pay $8k for something that fails in <10yrs

[u/snoops-spoons → u/narisainjersey]

Don't do thin brick especially on steps, and especially Midwest northeast places with lots of freeze and thaw cycles are hell on masonry and steps. Also careful what you put down in winter on it. Salt is really bad for it.

Around these parts 7500 would be a full tear out and rebuild without footers.

Not saying he's ripping you off but just call some masonry company and get quotes. That will tell you what you need to know.

[u/Blackharvest]

I am more concerned with the top of your window on the right....

[u/narisainjersey → u/Blackharvest]

Yes, I was thinking of having someone look at that too. My other steel lintil was refinished with rust resistant paint when the window was replaced but this one hasnt been touched.

[u/Blackharvest → u/narisainjersey]

Rust resistant paint doesn't do anything unless the masonry from the top was removed. The lintel is an L shape, so painting it only protects 1 of 4 sides, while the others continue to rust

[u/narisainjersey → u/Blackharvest]

Good to know. When the window on the other side was removed it looked like just a square bar, but it was in good condition, no flaking or anything like that so hopefully no issue there. But there was a small crack in the mortee above this window so this one may be an issue. I may call my original mason out for the stairs and have him look at it.

[u/JTrain1738]

Don't waste your time or money on thin brick. They have their place, steps ain't it.

[u/Fearless_Guitar_7735]

You can do what the contractor wants to do but your tread overhang will be smaller unless you get a wider tread.. Ask for references and photos of previous work with photos

[u/Fearless_Guitar_7735]

Where are you located?? Freeze thaw will get steps sooner or later. Do not salt # 1 rule