We provide independent heritage masonry consulting — not physical repairs. Our core consulting services include:

• Heritage masonry condition assessments with detailed photographic documentation

• Restoration specifications & tender documents for contractor bidding

• Mortar analysis to determine original composition and compatibility requirements

• Long-term maintenance planning with 10–20 year cost projections

• Contractor selection guidance including bid evaluation and qualification reviews

• Quality oversight during construction (mid-project and final inspections)

These consulting services are tailored for municipalities, institutions (churches, schools, cultural centres), strata councils, property managers, architects, engineers, and private owners of heritage or character homes.

Important: Stone & Trowel does not perform physical masonry repairs. We provide assessments, specifications, and oversight — we coordinate with trusted contractors to perform the actual repointing, cleaning, and restoration work.

Independent consultants provide unbiased recommendations — we don't sell repair work, so our assessments are entirely objective. Here's the difference:

 

Independent Consultant (Stone & Trowel):

• Recommendations based on what the building actually needs

• Specifications written for YOU, not a specific contractor

• You control contractor selection and bidding

• Objective quality oversight during construction

• No pressure to accept the highest bid or unnecessary work

 

Contractor Assessment:

• May recommend unnecessary work to increase their bid

• Specifications often favor their own methods and pricing

• Limited to their crew or preferred subcontractors

• Self-inspection lacks accountability

• May simplify specifications to reduce their labor costs

 

Consulting fees are typically 5–15% of total restoration costs — but prevent 10–50% overspending from poor contractor selection, incorrect materials, or unnecessary work.

A heritage masonry assessment is the essential first step for any restoration project. We conduct a thorough on-site walk-through to evaluate structural integrity, surface issues, and underlying problems. This includes:

• Photo documentation with technical annotations

• Detailed condition reporting with findings ranked by urgency

• Mortar sampling and compatibility testing to determine original composition

• Prioritized recommendations for scope, phasing, and long-term maintenance

• Heritage compliance review aligned with local bylaws and conservation standards

We then provide a clear report and collaborate with you, architects, engineers, or heritage consultants to develop a tailored plan.

Our restoration specifications are contractor-neutral — written so multiple qualified masons can bid fairly on the same scope. We include:

• Custom-written scope of work for repointing, cleaning, repair, or rebuilding

• Mortar specifications including lime content, joint profiles, and color matching

• Material sourcing requirements for compatible brick, stone, and aggregates

• Traditional method specifications (DOFF/Torc cleaning, hand-tooling, etc.)

• Quality control benchmarks and acceptance criteria

• Complete tender documents ready for contractor bidding

This eliminates guesswork, ensures fair comparisons between bids, and protects your investment.

We have extensive experience with landmark and private heritage structures, including consulting for:

• Government House (stone retaining walls assessment and specifications)

• Craigdarroch Castle

• Ross Bay Cemetery

• Parliament Buildings

• Duncan City Hall (1913 sandstone and brick restoration consulting)

• 17th-century limestone features at Oldfield Estate

• Pump House at Esquimalt Graving Dock (Federal Heritage Building)

• Numerous Samuel Maclure-designed heritage homes (chimneys, stone pillars, retaining walls, brick facades)

Our consulting work spans public civic buildings, institutional properties, and private estates throughout Victoria, Saanich, Duncan, and Vancouver Island.

Most assessments are completed in 1–2 days on-site, with the full report delivered within 5–7 business days. Complex properties may require additional time for mortar analysis and documentation.

Restoration specifications are typically delivered within 7–10 business days after the assessment, depending on project scope.

Yes—absolutely. Our assessments and specifications align with:

• Heritage Conservation Act standards

• Parks Canada Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada

• Municipal heritage bylaws (Victoria, Vancouver, Duncan, Saanich, etc.)

• Heritage grant requirements (Vancouver Heritage Foundation, BC Heritage Property Tax Credits, federal heritage grants)

We collaborate closely with municipal planners, heritage architects, and engineers to ensure compliance. Our methods prioritize minimal intervention, material compatibility, and preservation of original fabric, helping meet requirements for designated or character properties.

We also provide documentation needed for heritage grant applications and permit submissions.

Founded by Sean Lennox with decades of hands-on stonemasonry and bricklaying experience (starting in the 1990s in Vancouver, then as owner of Lennox Masonry on Vancouver Island), we bring more than 75 years of combined heritage-focused expertise.

What makes us different:

• Former practicing masons who transitioned to pure consultancy — we understand how masonry is built, how it fails, and what can go wrong when work is specified poorly

• Unbiased recommendations — we don't sell repair work, so our assessments are entirely objective

• Practical, technically informed recommendations grounded in real-world experience

• Clear documentation that helps owners and contractors work from the same plan

• Conservation-first philosophy using proven traditional techniques and material compatibility knowledge

• ** Education and transparency** — we provide clear explanations and involve clients every step

We understand the craft because we have lived it for decades. We now use that experience to help heritage buildings receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way.

Costs can vary greatly, depending on the size of the project. Typical consulting package costs for large heritage buildings are:

• Assessment Only: $1,500–$3,500 (property size dependent)

• Assessment + Specifications: $3,000–$7,000

• Full Package (Assessment + Specs + Maintenance Plan): $5,000–$12,000

• Construction Oversight (per inspection): $750–$1,500

Pricing varies based on property size, complexity, and accessibility. Contact us for a custom quote.

Consulting fees are typically 5–15% of total restoration costs — but prevent 10–50% overspending from poor contractor selection, incorrect materials, or unnecessary work.

Simply submit a request through our contact form on the website (or call/email us directly). We'll respond promptly to discuss your project, schedule a site visit/assessment if needed, and provide guidance.

Whether it's a quick consultation for a chimney assessment or a full heritage restoration specification package, we're here to help.

Yes. Based in Victoria, BC, we provide heritage masonry consulting throughout:

• Vancouver Island (Nanaimo, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, etc.)

• Gulf Islands (Salt Spring, Pender, Galiano, etc.)

• Lower Mainland (Vancouver, New Westminster, Burnaby, etc.)

Consulting assessments typically include travel within 50km of Victoria. For locations beyond this range, travel fees will apply. We travel throughout Western Canada for significant heritage projects.