Idaho Masonry family For Over 50 Years!
Idaho Contractors License: RCE-41697
Dept. Of Public Works: 017315
OSHA 30 Construction Certified
5 Year Warranty!
Idaho Masonry family For Over 50 Years!
Idaho Contractors License: RCE-41697
Dept. Of Public Works: 017315
OSHA 30 Construction Certified
5 Year Warranty!
Hi, my name is Brad Fackrell (The old guy in the photo). I’m an independent masonry contractor. I do small masonry projects and masonry repair in all of Southern Idaho, including as far North as McCall and Ketchum and everything between the Oregon and Wyoming borders. I’m currently based in Nampa, where I’m flipping an old house in my spare time. I’m single, and the kids have all flown the coupe, so I’m very flexible and enjoy staying busy.
Mom and Dad still hold down the home base in Blackfoot so I have both sides of the state nicely covered. I primarily work alone but occasionally get much-welcome help from my father, brothers, or one of my kids (The cute young people in the photo).
I'm technically a third-generation mason. My mother's grandfather, John Nuffer, was the first in my line. He came from Germany and became a well-known Architect/Mason in East Idaho and northern Utah. I learned from my father, who began his masonry career in the 60s.
In the early 70s, Mom and Dad decided to set out on their own, and Fackrell Masonry was born…about the same time I was born. I'm pretty sure that I have masonry in my blood.
When we are lucky, the kids settle down long enough for Dad to pass on some of his wisdom. Someday, they will realize how fortunate they were to have a grandfather with mad skills in a trade that is slowly dying off. Thanks to YouTube, everyone thinks they're a mason. I get to fix their stuff! Posting to YouTube might make you an expert YouTuber but NOT an expert mason. Stay in your lane folks!
After growing up with a brick trowel in our hands (I tell people that I could climb a scaffolding before I could walk – I don't think it's much of a stretch), Mom and Dad insisted that all of us kids go to college; "Masonry is a brutal way to earn a living" is what Dad said. So, I drove down the road to ISU and earned an AAS in Design Drafting.
Afterward, I headed off to the Army to get a little adventure under my belt. I was the nerd who took every opportunity the military offered to get a free education, and eventually, I completed a BS in Computer Science.
After leaving the military, I spent several years behind a desk before I realized I was not the office type. (I spent a lot of time gazing out the window…for some reason, they gave me a corner office with a fantastic view!) So, I returned to work for my parents and eventually took over the business. I think that Dad was secretly excited to see me come back. Mom continued to remind me that this would be a difficult life. Mom was not only the perfect "stay home mom" but also the business CFO and head hod carrier. She wore a lot of hats and did all of it very well!
Mom enjoys retirement, and Dad must be the oldest standing mason that’s still slinging mud. He's pushing 90, and he still loves to come and help out when he can! A guy who truly loves masonry and continues to do hobby projects and research, he remains a great source of information.
Just when I think I know it all, Dad (very gently) enlightens me. I’m just now starting to realize that Dad will always have 35 years of wisdom and experience more than I have. One of the best parts of growing up was realizing how valuable and wise my parents were....are!
Get a QuoteI used to have lengthy explanations and examples on my website of everything to watch out for when choosing a contractor, but the simple answer is to find a licensed mason that you trust. Ask for references and verify they are licensed for masonry work at Idaho DOPL. Idaho requires a person doing masonry work to be licensed to do masonry work! I can’t stress that enough!
It’s simple to get licensed to work in your trade. In Idaho, it’s more of a tool to keep track of contractors and maintain records of those who do shotty work. This is why I also encourage people to contact Idaho DOPL whenever they have issues with a contractor. This is how we ensure that each of us is qualified and capable of charging money in our chosen trade.
Most of my work involves repairing things that were done incorrectly the first time. Masonry is one of those things that you can pull up a YouTube video and learn enough to get a check from the customer. These guys constantly underbid me on new work, which is why I’ve done a lot better working with repair. It’s just a matter of time (sometimes only a year) before their stuff falls apart! I can tell you hundreds of stories if you have the time.
Nobody gets it 100% perfect 100% of the time.
As far back as I can remember, Dad taught me that if you do work for someone and something goes wrong, fix it! Last summer, Dad hobbled across the street with his ladder to replace a stone HE noticed had fallen off one of the first chimneys he ever built – 50 years ago!
It’s not uncommon for Dad to drive around and look at his work to make sure it’s still in good shape. So, if you see an old man tapping his cane on your chimney, there’s a really good chance that it’s my dad and he probably built it at some point in the past 50 years. That’s how Dad taught me to treat my work, so I decided to offer a written warranty for my work. Apparently, some people won’t guarantee their work, which should be very scary for the person paying for it.
I also have customers who can verify that I do return to fix things. I’ve had to do it four times in the past ten years. I’m all too familiar with those occasions because my stomach drops when I get the call because I don't like it when my work isn't perfect. After that call, getting my work up to 100% becomes my priority.
Get a Quote
Dad was a Marine. Still is, I guess – we’ve all heard it: once a Marine, always a Marine! I wasn’t tough enough to even try the Marine Corps, so I did my time with the U.S. Army. I was a Combat Engineer, and I still think of those years as some of the most beneficial of my life. I was in my early 20s when I joined, so I was an “old guy.” I was old enough to appreciate it. As difficult as it was, I still remember constantly thinking, “Wow, this is cool. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this!”.
Sometimes, people ask why I don’t have my phone number listed on my website. I understand that this can be frustrating. Several years ago, it got to the point where I was chatting on the phone with salespeople and unrelated inquires so much that it was affecting my work schedule. It’s not fair to the current customer if I can’t focus on their job and getting it done. So, I’ve had to limit phone calls by not posting my phone number online. After you follow the "Get a Quote" link and provide your contact information, you’ll get my phone number. My contact form is designed to help you understand what I can do for you and save both of us time.
© Fackrell Masonry and Construction