Outdoor fireplaces, kitchens & walls
We build the masonry that turns a backyard into somewhere you want to be: brick and stone outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and grill islands, seat walls, pillars and fire pits. And we build retaining walls the right way, with the base and drainage underneath that keep them standing.
What we build and fix
- Outdoor fireplaces in brick or stone
- Outdoor kitchens and grill islands
- Fire pits and seat walls
- New retaining walls on sloped yards and along driveways
- Leaning, bulging or cracked walls that need rebuilding
- Brick and stone pillars, columns and mailboxes
- Garden walls and raised planters
How we do it
- Check the slope and soilWe look at how much soil the wall holds back, where water goes, and whether the wall needs reinforcement or a permit.
- Dig and set the baseA compacted gravel base goes in below grade, and the first course is buried so the wall can't kick out at the bottom.
- Build with drainageEach course steps back slightly. Clean gravel and a drain pipe behind the wall let water out instead of letting it push.
- Cap and backfillCaps are glued down, the backfill is compacted in lifts, and the area is graded and cleaned up.
How a retaining wall should be built
Water is what pushes walls over. Drainage behind the wall and a solid base under it are what keep it standing.
What's included
- Outdoor fireplaces
- Outdoor kitchens and grill islands
- Segmental block retaining walls
- Natural stone walls
- Brick and stone pillars and columns
- Fire pits and seat walls
- Planters, garden walls and brick mailboxes
- Rebuilding leaning walls
What affects the price
Every job is different, so we price it after we see it. These are the things that move the number:
- Wall height and length
- Block, natural stone or brick
- Drainage gravel, pipe and digging
- Access for equipment and materials
- Reinforcement, engineering or permits for taller walls
Estimates are free.
Questions about outdoor living & walls
Why is my retaining wall leaning?
Most leaning walls were built without enough drainage. Water builds up behind the wall and pushes it out, especially after freeze-thaw. A rebuild with gravel backfill and a drain pipe fixes the cause.
Do taller walls need anything special?
Walls taller than about 3 to 4 feet usually need engineering, reinforcement grid and often a permit. We'll tell you what your wall needs before we start.
Do you build outdoor fireplaces and kitchens?
Yes. We build outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and grill islands in brick and stone. You can see some of them on our Projects page.
Can you build a fire pit?
Yes. We build fire pits in block, brick or stone, sized for your yard.
Where we do outdoor living & walls
We work across Chicago and the suburbs, including:
Get a free estimate
Call or text and talk to us directly. Photos help: text a few shots of the problem and we'll tell you what we see.
- Call or text708-704-8665
- Emailwjcconstruction2000@gmail.com
- Service areaChicago and the suburbs