Question 1

How is your pricing compared to your competitors?

Accepted Answer

We’ll be honest—we may not be the cheapest brick staining company in town, and we’re okay with that. Our pricing reflects the specialized nature of what we do. We focus solely on brick and stone staining—nothing else—so every project gets the full benefit of our expertise, premium products, and attention to detail.
That said, we are competitively priced compared to other reputable companies offering high-quality, long-lasting results. Our goal is to provide exceptional value through expert craftsmanship and outstanding customer service at a fair rate.
If you’ve received another quote, feel free to share it with us. We’re happy to review it and let you know if we can offer a better option without compromising quality.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Your Project?

Several key factors are considered when preparing a quote for your brick or stone staining project:

Material Costs
We exclusively use PermaTint mineral-based stains, a premium, professional-grade product known for its durability and performance. Costs can vary depending on the specific product line and quantity required for your project.

Labor & Application
 Labor pricing is based on the complexity of the job, including surface preparation, application method, and any detailing or finishing techniques involved. Our team consists of skilled professionals whose expertise ensures a high-quality, long-lasting result.

Project Size
 Larger surface areas naturally require more stain, labor, and time to complete, which impacts the overall quote.

Accessibility
 Challenging areas—such as high elevations, tight corners, or surfaces requiring lifts or scaffolding—can add to labor time and safety considerations, affecting the final cost.

Additional Considerations
 Depending on the scope, additional expenses may include custom color matching, special requests, or safety compliance equipment.

Question 2

What products do you use for exterior masonry projects and what is their warranty & longevity?

Accepted Answer

Staining or painting brick and stone outdoors is a relatively permanent decision. However, we prefer to use a mineral stain (aka brick stain) on all exterior projects where applicable. Our team is certified as installers of products by PermaTint. Their mineral stain is of the highest quality and allows the brick to remain porous. Mineral-based stains function differently than acrylic or latex paint. Rather than sticking to the surface and forming a film (like paint), stain soaks into the surface, crystallizes within it, and becomes a permanent part of the wall. PermaTint provides a 30-year warranty against chipping, fading, peeling, algae & mold resistant, water repellent and it’s organic for a cleaner environment. If your surface has been previously sealed or painted, we must use paint.   Please click the link to check out their website for more information and see us listed as a certified installer www.permatint.com.

If we use brick or stone paint, we use the highest quality Benjamin Moore product, which also provides a lifetime warranty.  Their durable finish resists fading, cracking, peeling and the formation of mildew on the surface of the film. Please see below the attached warranty for Benjamin Moore and feel free to download it here:

Question 3

How can I tell if the masonry surface that I want to stain is suitable for your stains?

Accepted Answer

The most important thing is that the substrate that you want to stain needs to be absorbent. The simplest test is to put water onto the surface of the brick that you want to stain to see if the water is absorbed.  If it does, you should not have any difficulty in staining it. If the water pools on the surface this would indicate poor or no absorption and could be a problem. Sending a picture of the substrate would allow us to advise you on this.

Question 4

Are there temperature requirements when working with your brick stain or paint? What about rain?

Accepted Answer

As all of our products are water based, they must be used at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Attention should also be paid to low temperatures that may occur overnight. Even if the temperature is 45 degrees, if it was minus another 10 degrees overnight, the brick may be too cold to stain. Care should be given to ensure that the temperature will stay above 40 degrees after we have completed the work so as to not interfere with the curing process of the product. Work cannot be done if it is raining. Care must also be taken to make sure that the brick or stone is not wet due to recent rain.

Question 5

Can I use brick stain over the top of existing latex or oil-based paint or previously installed sealers?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, the answer is no. The same would apply to a sealer. Mineral stains, unlike latex/acrylic paints, are designed to be absorbed into and crystalize in the substrate. Latex paints and sealers will prevent this absorption and would make our products less effective.

Question 6

How environmentally safe are your stains?

Accepted Answer

Our crick stains are about as environmentally friendly as a product could possibly be. They are made solely from readily available earthen raw materials and by German Industrial Standard are prevented from having any more than 5% acrylic. You are literally staining with liquid rock. They have Zero VOC’s and are completely non-hazardous.

Question 7

Can I use your products on pavers or other materials on the ground?

Accepted Answer

Our stains are designed for use on vertical surfaces. Horizontal surfaces have extreme water penetration, de-icing agents and abrasion issues, which will severely impact the survivability of any product applied to them. Having said that, we have had success in the past with staining concrete pavers that were later sealed on a regular basis. We cannot give a warranty though on such applications under any circumstances.

Question 8

How do I choose my colors?

Accepted Answer

Color selection is a collaborative process. During our in-person consultation, we’ll assess your property’s style, surrounding materials, and your aesthetic goals. We’ll guide you through recommended color options and combinations that enhance the architecture and environment.
In some cases, we may offer a digital rendering to help visualize the transformation. Please note: renderings are conceptual only and should not be interpreted as an exact outcome. Due to variables such as lighting, texture, and natural surface absorption, final results may vary. Renderings are provided as a courtesy and are not guaranteed representations, nor can they be used as grounds for liability.
Our goal is to help you feel confident in your decision and deliver a finish that complements your property and stands the test of time.

Question 9

Who will you be sending to do my project?

Accepted Answer

Your project will be completed by our in-house team of professionally trained commercial brick stainers—never subcontractors. Every crew member is experienced in our specialized staining process and trained to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
We do not outsource our work. This allows us to maintain strict control over workmanship, safety standards, and scheduling from start to finish. Depending on the scope of your project, a lead technician or senior team member will be onsite to oversee the job and ensure everything is completed to spec.
With Brick Tones, you’re hiring seasoned professionals who understand the technical demands of commercial brick staining and are committed to delivering lasting, high-performance results.

Question 10

Do you perform masonry repairs and tuckpointing?

Accepted Answer

Tuckpointing involves removing and replacing deteriorated mortar joints between bricks—an essential structural repair typically performed by licensed masonry contractors. At Brick Tones, we specialize exclusively in staining and painting brick and stone surfaces and do not perform masonry repairs or tuckpointing.
That said, if your project involves minor cosmetic issues, such as a few small nail holes or superficial gaps, our team may be able to apply a quick patch as a courtesy. For more extensive repairs, we're happy to recommend a trusted masonry professional in your area to complete that work prior to staining.
Our priority is to ensure the surface is in proper condition before applying our products to deliver long-lasting, professional results.

Question 11

How soon after I contact you will I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

We’re open seven days a week and do our best to provide quotes as promptly as possible once we’ve received all the necessary photos and project details. During the busy spring and summer seasons, response times may take slightly longer due to extended work hours in the field.
When an in-person consultation is scheduled, you can typically expect a formal quote within 48 to 72 hours following the visit. We take the time to ensure each estimate is accurate, detailed, and tailored to the specific needs of your project.

Question 12

How soon can you schedule my project once I decide I want you to complete it?

Accepted Answer

Project scheduling depends on several factors—including the type of work, seasonal demand, and material availability. During peak months (spring through early fall), our calendar tends to fill quickly, and certain custom colors or specialty stains may require lead time for ordering.
That said, we’ll always do our best to accommodate your timeline. If you're working with a specific deadline or need the project expedited, please let us know when requesting your quote. We'll review our schedule and material logistics to see if we can move things up for you.
We aim to balance speed with precision, so every project is completed with the care it deserves.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS