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There are a couple of forms of retaining walls. However, the most popular and common one is the block wall. There are a couple of reasons why block walls are popular, from durability to design.  

Are you wondering if you should install a retaining block wall for your property? Well, don’t worry because we are here to help. Today, we are going to share with you some of the most popular benefits and drawbacks of block walls. If you do find it interesting, make sure you hire a professional block wall Mesa, AZ contractor for help. 

Pro: Different Block Shapes 

There are a couple of variations in the molds utilized to produce the blocks for retaining walls. With this, you’ve got several options when you hire a professional contractor to install a block wall. Unfortunately, you might have to cut down a couple of blocks since it will be odd for your landscaping to fit perfectly the proportions of the wall.  

Con: Difficult to Handle by Yourself 

One of the biggest drawbacks of retaining block walls is that it requires a lot of labor. So, if you’re planning a DIY block wall installation, you might have a hard time. These concrete blocks are extremely heavy, even if they’re hollow. Because of this, they can be a bit tiring to work with.  

Aside from that, it can be difficult to shape your retaining block wall if you are not used to building them. This is especially true if you encounter curves and shapes.  

Con: Standard Colors and Sizes Make the Wall Less Unique 

Though there are a couple of color and size options, these blocks are generally uniform. That is why they’re affordable. Because of this, your block wall might not be unique. This is particularly true if your neighbors also installed block walls.  

Pro: Various Available Colors 

Block retaining walls are often pale red, tan, or grey shade. However, you can find retaining block walls in a range of colors if you’re searching for a bit more variety. This includes a blend of berry colors, earthy sage, and more. 

You might not find these things at your nearest home improvement shop. However, a professional masonry contractor can help source the colored blocks you want for your block walls.  

Con: Not Decorative Compared to Other Options 

Block walls can appear a bit less appealing. This is particularly true if you compared them to other retaining wall options, such as natural stone walls, wooden retaining walls, and much more. Luckily, if you hire a professional masonry contractor, he can sculpt the support of the retaining wall for elegant landscaping.  

Pro: Extremely Cheap 

One of the biggest benefits of a retaining block wall is that the materials are extremely affordable. These blocks are created from poured concrete. It is perhaps one of the most widely available and cheapest materials in the world. Block walls are poured into set molds for mass production since they’re extremely cheap to manufacture. Because of this, they are very affordable.  

Whenever you’re planning some construction work on your property, one of the things you want to avoid is to face issues that can ruin your project. This usually happens if you don’t properly do your research. Aside from that, it can also result in a disaster if you don’t plan properly.  

One of the most common projects homeowners take is masonry. You can choose to do the project on your own. However, people recommend that you hire a professional mason to do the job. This is particularly true if you’re doing something complicated, such as Phoenix block wall. 

So, if you’re planning to hire a mason, you need to find the right one. Here are several things to consider: 

The Price of the Service 

You should always be cautious of masonry contractors who offer estimates that are extremely low compared to the others. You should ask the reason why the price is extremely cheap. You should not choose a masonry contractor base on price alone. There are other vital factors to consider, such as insurance and licensing.  

Finding a Reliable Masonry Contractor 

Nowadays, you can find almost everything online. Thus, you should try looking at the websites of several masonry contractors. It’s also ideal to look at their social media pages. An unsatisfied client will often post their experience on the social media platform of the contractor. That is why it’s well worth spending some time checking their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. You can also visit their website and read testimonials.  

One of the best things you can do is to ask for recommendations from other people. You can try looking around your neighborhood and ask the homeowner who did the masonry work. You should also ask if they’re satisfied with the result of the project.  

Once you’ve got several potential masonry contractors, the next thing you have to do is to search them on the website of the BBB (Better Business Bureau). This will help you see if they’ve got negative reviews.  

After you narrowed down your options, schedule an interview with each masonry contractor. This will help you evaluate their work ethic and personality. It is a huge red flag if the masonry contractor doesn’t want to answer any questions you ask. You should also ask the mason for references and contact the references.  

Qualities of a Reliable Mason 

Formal education can be crucial whenever you’re hiring a masonry contractor. However, it isn’t as important as someone who has a lot of experience in the industry. An apprenticeship and years of experience are a lot better compared to a degree. A masonry contractor should be knowledgeable in building codes, has a strong mathematics foundation for precise measurement, and knows how to read blueprints.  

Aside from that, a masonry contractor should have excellent color vision, a work ethic to finish the job on time, stamina to do a repetitive task, dexterity to carefully install block walls, and physical strength to lift heavy items. You need to ensure you do your research to hire the correct masonry contractor for your block wall project.