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Why Facility Owners Choose Riley Construction’s In-House Masonry Crew
Key Takeaways:
- An in-house crew means stronger quality control, a tighter schedule, and no subcontractor markup on cost.
- Decades of combined experience enable the team to take on large commercial builds and historic restorations.
- A four-year masonry apprenticeship program means Riley will have skilled masons on hand for years to come.
The Lasting Value of Quality Masonry
Masonry is one of the most detailed crafts in construction, demanding precision, patience, and an eye for how materials will last well into the future. This long-standing cornerstone of architecture can significantly enhance longevity and ensure that your building stands the test of time.
Durability. Masonry is one of the sturdiest construction methods, lasting for centuries when well cared for. Structures typically can last about up to 25 years before needing tuckpointing repairs. That kind of lifespan protects a building owner’s initial investment and reduces the cost of repeated repairs.[1]
Energy efficiency. Brick, block, and stone are dense materials with high thermal mass, which means they absorb heat and release it slowly rather than letting indoor temperatures swing with the weather outside. Over the life of a building, this can ease the load on heating and cooling systems.[2]
Timeless appearance and quality. Masonry ages well. Brick and stone hold their look for decades rather than showing wear the way some other materials do, giving a building a solid, established appearance that doesn’t go out of style. It’s also part of why matching existing masonry on a historic building is such a specialized skill.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship at Riley Construction
Riley Construction’s connection to the trade runs deep, tracing back to founder Chuck Riley. That legacy still shapes how the division approaches every job today, from routine tuck pointing and stonework repair to new commercial construction for healthcare, education, municipal, and industrial clients.
Riley has an experienced in-house masonry team, with most of its masons having over 20 years of experience in the trade. Their crew size and makeup can adjust based on project needs and workload. Each has comprehensive union training and industry certifications. For a client, that experience translates into fewer surprises: the crew can move between restoration and historic material matching on one project and structural block, brick, natural stone, cast stone, and custom work on the next, all without bringing in outside help. Crew size flexes with workload too, so staffing stays matched to what a project actually needs.
Over the years, Riley has received numerous regional honors for its masonry projects from organizations such as the Wisconsin Masonry Alliance (WMA).
“To me, being a mason is about craftsmanship,” said Dan Zimmerman, a superintendent at Riley Construction who leads the masonry team. “At the end of the day, you can stand back and see what you built, and in many cases that work is going to be there for generations. There is a lot of pride that comes with that.”
In-House Control Means Fewer Surprises and Lower Costs
The advantage of hiring an in-house crew is evident long before a single brick is set. Riley uses InSTEP and Tracker to plan projects, flag problems early, and reduce wasted material. Because the masonry team isn’t subcontracted, those savings can typically flow directly back to the client. Pre-install meetings and job site assessments add another layer of protection, keeping crews safe and projects on schedule even when field conditions change.
Riley’s project list currently includes masonry work for Froedtert South’s Training Center and they recently completed the Pleasant Prairie Police Station. On the restoration side, Riley’s team worked with St. Patrick’s Church in Elkhorn to incorporate new masonry into the existing church, preserving the character of the original building.
They also continue specialized restoration work at Frank Lloyd Wright sites, including the Johnson Wax headquarters and the Wingspread chimney. Riley is a preferred contractor for Johnson Wax, a distinction that reflects how exacting that work is.
A Crew That Will Still Be Here Years from Now
Masonry has traditionally been a generational skill, often passed down through families. Recent retirements have thinned the ranks of experienced tradespeople across the industry, leading to shortages across the U.S.[3]
Riley supports the future of the masonry trade by working closely with the union apprenticeship program. Apprentices complete approximately 4,680 hours of training over 3 1/4 to 4 years, including about 420 hours of classroom instruction along with extensive hands-on field experience. This helps develop the next generation of skilled masons while giving apprentices the opportunity to learn directly alongside experienced tradespeople.
Between their union apprenticeship partnership and experienced craftsmen passing down their knowledge, Riley isn’t just delivering quality work today. It’s building the kind of team a client can keep coming back to for the next 20 years.
Dan Zimmerman is a Superintendent for Riley Construction. To learn more about their team’s work visit www.rileycon.com.
[1]https://www.gobrick.com/media/file/repointing-brick-masonry.pdf
[2] https://www.gobrick.com/media/file/4-introduction-to-energy-performance-of-brick-masonry.pdf
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