If you're a homeowner, you might need a stone mason contractor as part of your home maintenance. Your home might have stone veneers that need a touch-up or you could need to replace some stones. You also might want to do a facelift on your home and use stones. Once you know what you need to be done, the next step is looking for the right stone mason contractor for your project.

Hiring the right stone mason contractor can be an arduous task. Luckily, there are some questions you can ask the contractors in order to find the right one. It's important to ask the right questions to find out who is the best person for the job. Here's a list of questions to ask any potential stone mason contractor:

1. What is your specialty? It's important to find out whether the mason specializes in stone or brick and if they offer the type of stone you're looking for. If you need brick, for instance, it will have to be fired in a kiln of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Mason Contractors Association of America. You'll need a contractor who knows how to properly fire the brick.
2. Do you have references? See if the contractor has online reviews of their work or ask for references from prior customers.
3. Who will be managing the project? The person who is giving you the initial estimate and layout might not be the one doing the work. It's important to know who to expect and also ask if they hire subcontractors to do the work as well.
4. Do your stones match mine? To prevent mismatching of old and new stones, ask about color matching the mortar and the stones as well.
5. Do you have photos of finished projects? See if the stone mason contractor has photos of their completed projects, checking for their style and techniques in stone masonry.
6. Have you completed similar projects? It's a good practice to find out if the contractor has done a project that might be similar to your project.
7. Is this the right stone for my project? Make sure the stone mason contractor has the right stone for your specific project as well as the climate you live in. Check for any weather protection stone as well.
8. What is the estimate for the project? Have the contractor make an itemized estimate to walk you through the project and the budget.

Take time to review these questions before you get bids for your stone masonry project. It's best to be prepared when meeting with the contractor so that you will feel secure in choosing the best stone mason contractor for your project.