When hiring a contractor to do any type of masonry work, it's absolutely essential that you verify his or her experience. Masonry work is a complicated task and it requires someone to go through years of apprenticeship before they can ethically strike out on their own. Ask about how long your masonry contractor has been working in the field and ask if you can see any pictures of previous jobs he or she has done. If possible, you should also see if her or she is willing to give you the contact information of past clients that can be used as references.

Masonry requires special zoning permits and the work needs to be accomplished by a licensed contractor in most states. There are certain regulations that masonry contractors need to keep in mind while doing their work, so it's important to find someone who understands those restrictions. One easy way to figure out whether your contractor is qualified is to ask about necessary licensing at your local zoning board office. Once you know what licensing all masonry contractors need in your state, you will be in a better position to figure out whether this is someone you want to work with.