Concrete and Block Masonry in Ann Arbor, MI

Superior Masonry Ann Arbor offers concrete and block masonry in Ann Arbor, MI for strong, long lasting walls and structures. We build concrete block walls, CMU walls, and cinder block foundations with proper reinforcement and drainage. Our team also repairs cracked or leaning block walls to restore safety and function on your property.

Superior Masonry Ann Arbor provides professional block masonry throughout Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (734) 887-9416 or request your free quote.

Concrete and block masonry for Ann Arbor homes and businesses

Concrete and block masonry covers a lot of what you actually see and use every day: block foundations, basement walls, garage and pole barn walls, retaining walls, stairways, machine pads, dumpster enclosures, and more. At Superior Masonry Ann Arbor, we focus on practical, long-lasting work that fits southeast Michigan’s soil, freeze–thaw cycles, and building codes.

When you call us about block masonry, we start with how the structure will actually be used. Is it holding back soil, supporting a building, separating a dumpster area, or just creating a low garden wall? The answer changes the block size, footing thickness, rebar layout, and whether we use standard concrete block, split-face, decorative units, or solid concrete.

In the Ann Arbor area, most structural walls use 8-inch concrete masonry units (CMU). For heavier loads or tall walls, we may step up to 10-inch or 12-inch block. For interior partitions or non-load-bearing walls, 4-inch or 6-inch block can be more cost-effective. Superior Masonry Ann Arbor walks you through those options before we ever start digging.

We also consider how the block work ties into existing concrete or brick. On garages and additions, we often set a block stem wall on a poured footing, then tie it into an existing foundation with drilled-and-epoxied rebar. On replacement retaining walls, we look at how your current wall failed, then design the footing, drainage, and reinforcement so you do not repeat the same problem.

How we build concrete and block masonry that holds up in Michigan weather

Our block masonry process follows a consistent sequence so you know what is happening on your property.

1. Site evaluation and layout: We check access for materials and equipment, locate utilities, and confirm elevations. For retaining walls and foundations around Ann Arbor, soil conditions vary a lot in short distances. We look for clay pockets, high water, and any signs of movement in nearby structures.

2. Excavation and footings: We dig to the proper depth, usually below frost line for anything structural. Footings are formed and poured with reinforced concrete. Thickness and width depend on the wall thickness and height, soil bearing capacity, and what the wall supports. A simple 4-foot garden wall footing may be quite different from a foundation wall for a two-story addition.

3. Rebar placement and block laying: Once the footing has cured enough, we snap lines and lay the first course of block very carefully. This first row sets the accuracy for the entire wall. Rebar is set in vertical cells and sometimes horizontally in bond beams, then we stack and level each block with Type S or Type N mortar, depending on the structural needs.

4. Grouting and reinforcement: Cells with rebar are filled with concrete grout. For taller walls, we often grout every cell. For shorter garden or partition walls, we grout specific locations based on engineering or best practices. This is where cheap work often cuts corners, so we are specific about where grout and steel actually go.

5. Drainage and backfilling: For retaining walls, we install clean stone, perforated drain tile, and filter fabric behind the wall before backfilling. Without this, hydrostatic pressure will push on the wall every winter, which is a major cause of cracking and leaning in Ann Arbor retaining walls.

6. Finishing and clean up: Finally, we strike joints, apply parge coats if needed, set caps or concrete toppings, and clean the site. If the block is exposed, we may recommend a breathable sealer after curing to reduce moisture penetration and surface staining.

Design and material options for block walls, foundations, and concrete work

Concrete and block masonry does not have to look plain or industrial. Superior Masonry Ann Arbor can combine functional block work with finishes that match your home or business.

For structural work, standard grey CMU is usually the most economical. On exposed walls, we often use split-face block or add a brick veneer to the outside. For commercial dumpster enclosures and screen walls around Ann Arbor, we might recommend decorative block patterns or integral color that holds up to weather and impact.

If you need both concrete and block on the same project, we design them to work together. Common examples include:

• Garage or pole barn foundations with block walls on concrete footings and a poured slab inside. • Exterior steps where a block core supports a poured concrete tread and landing system. • Machine pads or equipment slabs tied into existing block walls with doweled rebar.

We also help you choose joint style and finish. Struck joints shed water well. Tooled joints offer a more finished look. If the wall will be painted, we might recommend a light parge coat to even out the surface. In Michigan’s climate, we avoid paints or coatings that trap moisture inside the block, which can accelerate freeze–thaw damage.

If you are not sure what you want the final product to look like, we can show you local examples of our past concrete and block masonry work in Ann Arbor neighborhoods, including basements, daylight foundations, and retaining walls that have been through multiple winters without issues.

What affects cost for block masonry in Ann Arbor

Costs for concrete and block masonry vary, but we are upfront about what drives the price so you can compare quotes fairly.

1. Excavation and access: Tight backyards in Ann Arbor, nearby structures, or tree roots can make excavation slower and disposal more expensive. If we can get a skid steer or mini excavator in, your cost will be lower than if everything has to be dug and hauled by hand.

2. Wall height and engineering: A 3-foot garden wall that is mainly decorative is a different project from an 8-foot retaining wall holding back a driveway. Taller or heavily loaded walls often require more rebar, thicker footings, engineered plans, and full-height grouting, all of which increase material and labor.

3. Soil and drainage conditions: Poor soil, high groundwater, or steep slopes mean more stone backfill, french drains, and sometimes wider or deeper footings. These measures are not “extras” in our climate, they are what keep your wall or foundation from moving in a few years.

4. Material choices and finishes: Decorative block, brick facing, colored mortar, custom caps, and parge coats all add cost but can be worth it in visible areas. In hidden foundation areas we focus on structure and waterproofing instead of looks.

5. Time of year: In southeast Michigan, the most efficient time for exterior block masonry is usually April through October. Cold-weather work is possible but may require heated enclosures, mortar additives, and more careful scheduling to avoid freeze damage, which adds to cost.

Superior Masonry Ann Arbor breaks these items out clearly so you can see what you are paying for. We avoid one-line bids like “retaining wall, complete” that make it hard to know what was actually included.

What Ann Arbor homeowners should check before hiring a block masonry contractor

Before you hire anyone for concrete and block masonry, there are a few practical checks that will save you trouble later.

• Ask about drainage and reinforcement details, not just how the wall will look. A solid block wall with no stone backfill or drain pipe behind it is a common failure we see across Ann Arbor. A good contractor should explain where rebar goes, how cells are grouted, and how water will be handled.

• Confirm familiarity with local permitting and inspections. Many block masonry projects, especially structural or retaining walls over a certain height, need permits in Ann Arbor and surrounding townships. Superior Masonry Ann Arbor handles drawings, permits, and meets inspectors on site so the work passes the first time.

• Check past projects that have been through several winters. Fresh masonry almost always looks good. The real test in Michigan is how it looks after repeated freeze–thaw cycles and saturated spring soils. We can point you to older retaining walls, foundations, and block structures we have built so you can see how they have held up.

• Discuss how the crew will protect your property. That includes lawn protection, where materials will be staged, dust control for cutting block, and how debris will be removed.

If you are planning a new foundation, retaining wall, or any concrete and block masonry work in Ann Arbor, reach out to Superior Masonry Ann Arbor early in the planning. We can help you choose the right block type, footing design, reinforcement, and drainage so you end up with a structure that performs well and does not surprise you with extra costs during construction.