Stonemasons

Stonemasons

The craft of stonemasonry is an ancient one, and one of the oldest trades in the construction industry. Many of the oldest known statues, monuments and buildings that still remain were built with stone - an enduring natural material that provides a host of benefits.

Stonemasons are experts in working with a stone across many settings from constructing and renovating buildings to building walls, paving, landscape structures or monuments. 

What do stonemasons do?

• Design and plan stonework
• Work in conjunction with other design and construction professionals
• Mix and pour concrete
• Split/cut and shape stone
• Set stone into or onto structures
• Repair masonry work
• Stone polishing and carving

What are the benefits of using a stonemason?

Stonemasons generally undertake an in-depth apprenticeship and training where they learn the art of stonemasonry over a period of time - generally including both traditional and contemporary methods. By engaging a stonemason, architectural and landscape features can be created that offer a stunning, natural and durable solution. 

What do stonemasons build?

• Walls (including boundary, sea and retaining walls)
• Decorative pillars and columns
• Fireplaces, chimneys and surrounds
• Stone entrance ways
• Bridges
• Letterboxes
• Pathways and steps
• Cladding
• Water features (including fountains and ponds)
• Barbecues and pizza ovens
• Sculptural features

What types of stone do stonemasons work with?

• Auckland Bluestone
• Basalt
• Moss Rock
• Limestone
• Slate
• Schist
• Sandstone
• Granite

Stonemasons work across residential and commercial projects - covering everything from huge projects such as seawalls to small residential features - and often work in conjunction with other tradespeople such as bricklayers, builders, landscapers, cladding professionals, pavers and concrete specialists. 

Memorial masons are a specialised group of experts who work with headstones and carve inscriptions.

Fixer masons are those who specialise in the fixing of stones to buildings, while carvers specialise in the carving of stone into specific shapes or forms.

Different stonemasons may be experienced in working with different types of stone, or in different areas of masonry so it pays to understand a professional’s specific areas of expertise to ensure it matches with the scope of your project. 

Other professionals, you may be interested in include landscape architects, pool designers and builders, bricklayers, landscape contractors, painters, builders, architects, consultants and engineers.