Author: Candelario Perez

Candelario "Cande" Pedraza Perez is the owner and master mason behind Stonecap Masonry Inc., a licensed C-29 contractor based in Salinas, California. With years of hands-on experience in custom stonework, fireplaces, patios, and retaining walls, he leads the family-run team alongside his son Adrian, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern precision. His focus is on doing the work the right way—careful preparation, attention to detail, and masonry built to last across the Monterey Peninsula.

When a Commercial Block Wall Needs More Than a Patch

Concrete block foundation with steel reinforcement visible during masonry construction and structural work.

Direct Answer: A commercial block wall needs more than a patch when cracks run horizontally along mortar joints, the wall bulges or leans, or block is displaced. Those signs point to structural causes, not surface damage. Most block wall problems get noticed on a walk-through. A property manager sees a crack that was not there […]

What Happens Before the First Stone Goes on a Masonry Fireplace

In-progress concrete block foundation with steel reinforcement visible, demonstrating masonry construction technique.

Direct Answer: Before any stone is laid, a masonry fireplace needs a permit and plan check, a footing designed around the soil, and firebox, flue, and facing materials chosen in advance. Most people who type “how to build a masonry fireplace” into Google are not planning to stack the brick themselves. They are trying to […]

The Inspection Points Inside a Masonry Fireplace Build

Masonry fireplace chimney under construction showing coursed stone veneer work in progress inside a residential room with exposed framing.

Direct Answer: A masonry fireplace is inspected at multiple stages during construction, not just at the end. Inspectors check the footing, firebox framing, smoke chamber, flue liner, and final clearances separately. Most homeowners planning a masonry fireplace spend a lot of time thinking about stone selection and mantel design. Very few think about what a […]

The Structural Decisions Inside Every Masonry Fireplace Build

Interior masonry fireplace chimney under construction showing coursed stone veneer work in progress with exposed framing.

Direct Answer: A masonry fireplace is a structural system, not a decorative feature. The decisions that determine whether it’s safe and code-compliant happen before any visible stone is set. Most homeowners picture a masonry fireplace as a beautiful stone surround wrapped around a glowing hearth. What they don’t picture is the 12 inches of concrete […]

What the 2025 Building Code Actually Requires for a Masonry Fireplace

Interior masonry fireplace with tan stone chimney breast in running bond pattern and black metal firebox

Direct Answer: The 2025 California Residential Code, effective January 1, 2026, sets specific minimums for masonry fireplace footings, firebox wall thickness, seismic reinforcing, and clearances to combustibles, and none of these are optional. If you’re planning a masonry fireplace on the Monterey Peninsula and you submitted, or plan to submit, a permit application on or […]

5 Signs a Retaining Wall Needs a Masonry Contractor, Not a Patch Job

Damaged concrete block corner with cracked blocks and a displaced capstone on a residential property

Direct Answer: Stair-step cracking, visible lean, capstone displacement, water or soil pushing through the face, and heaving at the wall’s base all signal structural failure, not cosmetic damage. Each one requires a licensed masonry contractor, not a patch. A cracked retaining wall is easy to rationalize. You slap some hydraulic cement into the gap, the […]

How a Stone Patio Is Priced, From the Base Up

Flagstone patio with irregular tan and golden stone pavers in random pattern, showing completed work.

Direct Answer: Stone patio prices vary because the base system, soil conditions, and material choices all drive cost independently. The stone itself is often not the biggest variable, the ground beneath it is. One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners on the Monterey Peninsula goes something like this: I got three quotes […]

The Masonry Scope in an Outdoor Kitchen Build, and Where It Ends

Mason setting natural stone veneer onto a CMU block outdoor kitchen island frame on a coastal California patio

Direct Answer: A C-29 masonry contractor builds the structural island frame, footing, stone or tile finish, and surrounding hardscape. Gas lines, electrical, and plumbing require separate licensed trades. I get variations of the same question almost every week. A homeowner wants a fire pit, a built-in grill, a paver patio, and maybe some artificial turf, […]

What Repointing Masonry Actually Costs, and What Drives the Price

Mason pressing fresh mortar into a stone wall joint during masonry repair work on the Monterey Peninsula.

Direct Answer: Repointing costs in Monterey County generally range from $3 to $20 per square foot, but access difficulty, mortar type, and minimum job fees all push the final number up significantly. Most homeowners searching for masonry repair in Salinas or anywhere on the Monterey Peninsula have already noticed the problem: crumbling mortar joints, gaps […]

Building a Masonry Grill or Fire Pit Outside: What Goes Into It

An exterior view of a light-colored stone chimney and base foundation work on a residential home, showing the contrast between the stone wor

Direct Answer: A built-in masonry grill and a fire pit are two different scopes of work with different footings, materials, and permit considerations. Both start with proper base prep and material choices suited to the Peninsula’s coastal environment. We get calls and form submissions about this more than almost anything else. A homeowner wants an […]