Books and Resources to Start Strong
Starting a masonry business requires understanding both the technical craft and the business side of running operations profitably. These resources will help you build a foundation in concrete finishing, stone work, and the practical management skills you’ll need.
Masonry and Concrete Finishing: A Comprehensive Guide by Tom Smiley
This book covers the fundamentals of concrete work, finishing techniques, and quality standards that separate professional masons from amateurs. You’ll learn proper joint finishing, trowel techniques, and how to diagnose common concrete problems before they become costly mistakes. Essential for anyone planning to do the work yourself or supervise crews.
The Stonemason’s Handbook by Tom Williamson
If your masonry focus includes stone, brick, or decorative work, this resource covers layout, patterns, bonding, and restoration techniques. You’ll understand how to estimate material needs and execute designs that hold up structurally and aesthetically. This knowledge directly affects your ability to bid jobs accurately and deliver quality results.
Construction Estimating and Bidding by Paul I. Thomas
Pricing is where most masonry businesses fail or succeed. This book teaches you how to calculate material costs, labor hours, overhead, and profit margins realistically. You’ll learn how to avoid underpricing jobs and how to bid competitively without losing money.
Running a Successful Construction Company by David L. Gerstel
Masonry is a skilled trade, but your business also needs scheduling, crew management, safety protocols, and financial controls. This book addresses the operational side—how to keep projects on time and within budget, manage workers effectively, and maintain profitability as you grow.
Equipment You Need
Your startup equipment investment depends on the type of masonry work you focus on—concrete finishing, brick laying, stone work, or a mix. Start with hand tools and basic power equipment, then expand as your job volume and budget allow.
Hand Tools for Masonry
- Trowels: Pointing trowel, finishing trowel, margin trowel, and square trowels in various sizes. These are your most-used tools and worth buying quality versions.
- Brick hammer: For breaking and shaping brick and stone. A good one lasts years.
- Cold chisels: Multiple sizes for cutting brick and removing old mortar.
- Jointing tools: For creating clean mortar joints. Styles include V-joint, concave, and raked tools.
- Straightedge and level: A 4-6 foot level and straightedge are essential for checking plumb, level, and flat surfaces.
- Measuring tape and chalk line: Standard 25-foot tape and chalk line for layout.
- Bucket and mixing tools: Five-gallon buckets, mixing paddle, and mixing tub for mortar and concrete.
- Hammer and pry bar: For general demolition and removal work.
- Grout bag: For tooling mortar joints cleanly.
Shop masonry trowel sets on Amazon →
Power Tools
- Angle grinder (4-5 inch): For cutting brick, stone, and concrete. Buy corded models first—they’re more reliable and cheaper than cordless.
- Wet saw or tile saw: If you do stone or brick cutting regularly, a dedicated wet saw ensures accuracy and speeds up production.
- Rotary hammer drill: For drilling into existing concrete or stone. Essential for anchoring and fastening work.
- Circular saw (corded): For cutting lumber for forms and temporary structures.
- Mortar mixer: A small electric mixer (not just a drill paddle) saves time and ensures consistent mortar, especially on larger jobs.
Shop angle grinders on Amazon →
Safety Equipment
- Safety glasses: Essential when cutting, grinding, or chiseling. Buy in bulk.
- Dust mask or respirator: Masonry creates silica dust. Proper respiratory protection is non-negotiable.
- Work gloves: Heavy-duty leather and nitrile pairs. You’ll go through many pairs.
- Steel-toe boots: Required on most job sites and necessary for your safety around heavy materials.
- Hard hat: For working on larger projects or around other trades.
- First aid kit: Minor cuts and scrapes are common in masonry work.
Scaffolding and Access Equipment
- Ladders: A 6-foot step ladder and a 20-foot extension ladder for most residential work.
- Scaffolding or work platforms: For jobs above 10 feet or where ladder access is awkward. Rent or buy depending on job volume.
- Safety harness and fall protection: Required for work above 6 feet on many job sites.
Material Handling
- Wheelbarrow: For moving mortar, gravel, and broken material.
- Shovel: Round-point and square-point for different jobs.
- Hand truck or dolly: For moving brick pallets and heavy stone.
- Work apron: Heavy canvas or leather to carry tools and protect your clothes.
What to Buy First vs Later
Your startup budget will be tight, so prioritize equipment that directly generates revenue or prevents safety violations. Buy quality hand tools immediately—they’re your primary assets. Rent expensive power equipment until job volume justifies ownership.
- First (under $2,000): Hand tools (trowels, levels, chisels, hammer), safety equipment (glasses, mask, gloves, boots), a basic level and straightedge, measuring tape, mixing buckets, and a hammer drill.
- Second (as jobs increase): Angle grinder, corset saw, and a mortar mixer. These speed up work and improve quality enough to justify the cost.
- Later (with established revenue): Wet saw, dedicated compressor, powered equipment, and scaffolding. Rent these for individual jobs until you have consistent work.
- Scale gradually: Don’t buy a full equipment trailer until you’re operating 40+ hours per week. Starting lean keeps overhead low and forces you to focus on jobs that pay well.
New vs Used Equipment
Buy hand tools new. They’re inexpensive, wear out with heavy use, and a worn trowel or chisel produces poor-quality work. Used hand tools from auctions or pawn shops are rarely worth the gamble on quality.
Power tools can be purchased used if you inspect them carefully. Angle grinders, drills, and saws from reputable brands (DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee) hold up well and are easy to resell if you move on. Skip used respirators and safety equipment—buy new for health reasons. Scaffolding, ladders, and mixing equipment are fine used, especially from construction liquidators or rental companies that sell off old stock. Many masonry contractors buy used because equipment is cheaper and durability is proven in the field.
Where to Buy
- Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards: Good for standard hand tools, power tools, and safety gear. Frequent sales and return policies help if you need to adjust purchases.
- Specialized tool suppliers: Local masonry supply companies often stock professional-grade trowels and finishing tools that big-box stores don’t carry. Worth a visit to see what’s available locally.
- Construction liquidation auctions: Estate and bankruptcy auctions regularly sell used equipment at 30-50% off retail. Inspect carefully before bidding.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Used power tools and scaffolding at local prices. Meet in person and test before buying.
- Pawn shops: Sometimes have quality used power tools, though condition varies. Negotiate hard.
- Rental centers: If a tool doesn’t fit your budget or you only need it occasionally, rent rather than buy. Many rental centers also sell used equipment cheap.