Local service guide
Bricklaying and Masonry in Albuquerque: Hiring Guide
For Bricklaying and Masonry in Albuquerque, ask bidders to inspect the site, describe the proposed repair or construction, and assign responsibility for permits before you agree to a start date. New Mexico requires construction contractors to hold a license. For a boundary wall or historic exterior, check the city's approval requirements before choosing materials or accepting a quote. [1] [2] [3]
Describe the job before comparing contractors
Give each bidder the same starting information: the property address, photographs of the whole wall and damaged areas, approximate dimensions, and your goal. Say whether you want to repair mortar joints, replace damaged bricks, rebuild a section, or construct a new wall. Include photographs of both sides when you can reach them without climbing or entering a neighbor's property.
Ask the contractor to explain what they propose to remove and retain. For cracks or a leaning section, request an assessment before accepting a surface repair. Ask whether they recommend further evaluation and who would provide it. Do not approve a repair based on a photograph alone if the contractor has not resolved questions about the wall's condition.
Settle wall permits before setting the start date
Albuquerque lists installing or raising walls, fences, and retaining walls among projects that require a permit. Its permit page says walls and fences over six feet require a building permit, while those under six feet require a permit from the Zoning Counter. For a wall exactly six feet high, ask the city which approval applies to your proposed height and design. [1] [4]
Call Building Safety at 505-924-3320 for building-permit questions or Code Enforcement and Zoning at 505-924-3450 for zoning-permit questions. Describe whether the wall retains soil, its proposed height, and whether you plan to raise an existing wall. Ask the contractor to record the required approvals and who will obtain them in the quote. [1]
The city accepts applications, plans, payments, and status checks through ABQ-PLAN. Homeowners and contractors must ensure they obtain required permits before work begins. If your property has an HOA, the city says to obtain association approval for plans before applying for a building permit. [1]
Resolve historic material choices before ordering
For a property in a Historic Protection Overlay zone, check with Landmarks Commission staff before approving exterior changes. The city lists exterior alterations, fences, and changes in exterior materials among work requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness. Its overlay maps include Old Town, Huning Highland and East Downtown, and other designated areas; confirm your address rather than relying on the neighborhood name. [2]
The city exempts qualifying exterior maintenance from a Certificate of Appropriateness when the repair matches the original design, size, texture, color, and material. Building permits may still apply. Ask staff whether your proposed brick replacement or mortar-joint repair meets that exemption, and give the bidder the city's determination before selecting materials. [2]
Request a sample of the proposed brick and mortar appearance before authorizing the full job. Have the contractor describe the mortar selection and joint finish in writing. For an older exterior, ask for examples of comparable repairs and how the contractor will preserve adjacent material during removal.
Compare complete quotes and credentials
New Mexico's Construction Industries Division states that anyone engaged in construction-related contracting must hold a license and identifies PSI as its licensing-service provider. Obtain the bidder's business name and license number, then confirm current status and whether the classification covers your scope before signing. [3]
Use written, site-specific bids to set your budget. Ask each bidder to price the same measured scope. Request separate descriptions for demolition, replacement units, mortar work, access equipment, debris removal, protection of nearby surfaces, and cleanup. Ask whether the total includes applicable taxes, permit charges, and any design or evaluation work.
Include a procedure for concealed damage and changes. Ask the contractor to send photographs, describe the additional work, and obtain your approval of the price before proceeding. Request insurance documentation, payment milestones, and written warranty terms. Keep copies of the agreed materials and scope with the contract.
Arrange approvals, access, and completion
The city estimates plan review at approximately two and a half weeks for residential projects and three and a half weeks for commercial projects, depending on size and complexity. These estimates concern review, rather than masonry installation. Ask the contractor to distinguish application, approval, material-ordering, and construction dates in the schedule. [4]
Agree on access for deliveries, equipment, and debris collection. Tell the contractor about gates, pets, irrigation lines, and surfaces you want protected. Ask how they will handle unsuitable weather and protect unfinished work. Before the final walkthrough, compare completed work against the agreed sample, scope, and cleanup requirements.
If the contractor obtains the permit, the city requires that contractor to schedule inspections. Ask for the permit number and inspection arrangements before work starts, then request the relevant completion records at handover. [4]
Albuquerque's approximate plan-review times
Local details that affect your job
Short boundary walls still need a permit check
The city's permit page directs walls and fences under six feet to the Zoning Counter and those over six feet to building permitting. Do not assume a low wall avoids approval. For a wall exactly six feet high, or a retaining wall, describe the design to the city before accepting a permit allowance or construction date. [1] [4]
Historic maintenance depends on an exact match
In a Historic Protection Overlay zone, the maintenance exemption requires the original design, size, texture, color, and material. A proposed change in exterior materials requires a preservation check. Contact Landmarks Commission staff at 505-924-3860 and select the Boards, Commissions, and ZHE signs option to discuss the scope before ordering replacement materials. [2]
Choose the next step for your masonry project
| Project situation | Approval consideration | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| New boundary wall under six feet | City directs these walls to the Zoning Counter | Confirm zoning requirements before finalizing the bid |
| Boundary wall over six feet | City requires a building permit | Assign application and inspection responsibility in writing |
| Wall exactly six feet or retaining soil | City lists retaining walls as permit projects; its height guidance leaves the exact six-foot case unstated | Describe height and retaining function to Building Safety |
| Historic-overlay exterior with changed materials | City lists exterior material changes for preservation approval | Consult Landmarks Commission staff before ordering |
| Matching historic exterior maintenance | Certificate exemption requires matching design, size, texture, color, and material; building permits may still apply | Confirm the exemption and separate permit requirements |
Your hiring checklist
- Photograph the whole project and close-up damage; record approximate dimensions.
- Give each bidder the same repair or construction scope.
- Check the contractor's license status and classification.
- Confirm wall-height, retaining-wall, and historic-overlay approval questions with the city.
- Request written material specifications and an appearance sample.
- Agree on permit responsibility, access, payment milestones, and change approval.
- Collect permit, inspection, warranty, and cleanup records at handover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small masonry wall need a permit?
Albuquerque directs walls and fences under six feet to the Zoning Counter for a permit. Walls over six feet require a building permit. Ask the city about a wall exactly six feet high and identify any retaining function. [1] [4]
Can I replace bricks on a historic exterior without preservation approval?
The city exempts qualifying maintenance that matches the original design, size, texture, color, and material. Changes in exterior materials require a preservation check, and building permits may still apply. Confirm your scope with Landmarks Commission staff before buying materials. [2]
How long should I allow for approval?
The city estimates residential plan review at approximately two and a half weeks, depending on size and complexity. Ask for a project-specific schedule that also accounts for any historic review, revisions, material ordering, and construction. [4]
What should a masonry quote include?
Ask for measured scope, removal and replacement details, brick and mortar specifications, access equipment, cleanup, permit responsibility, taxes, payment milestones, and written change approval. Request a separate allowance for unresolved work so you can compare bids on the same basis.
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.