HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME INVESTMENT

Hiring a professional for masonry repair or stucco repair can transform your home’s value, beauty, and safety. From fixing cracks in your brickwork to restoring a weathered stucco façade, choosing the right contractor ensures you get quality work and peace of mind. But with the growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area and many other booming neighborhoods across Texas, the number of unscrupulous contractors using fake business names and fake addresses has skyrocketed.

If you’re a homeowner searching for “how to hire a masonry contractor,” “stucco repair advice,” or “avoid contractor scams,” this guide will give you everything you need to make your project a success and steer clear of the traps that cost unsuspecting families thousands every year.

Masonry and stucco repairs are some of the most requested home improvement services in DFW, Plano, Frisco, Southlake, and other high-value areas. Unfortunately, the demand attracts not only top talent—but also fly-by-night scammers who prey on homeowners.

Why do so many scams happen with masonry and stucco repair?

• Quick jobs, quick pay: Many repairs are small enough to be finished (or abandoned) in a day or two, making it easy for scammers to disappear.
• Difficult to judge quality: Non-professionals can cover up damage with temporary fixes, making it hard for homeowners to spot shoddy work until it’s too late.
• High demand for curb appeal: Luxury neighborhoods and high-value homes are prime targets because owners want their property to look its best.
• Fake names and addresses: Scammers constantly change business names and use fake addresses to avoid detection and accountability.

• No accountability: If something goes wrong, or if you discover poor workmanship, you can’t find the company to get your money back or demand repairs.
• No warranty: Contractors with fake names and addresses often provide worthless “guarantees” that can’t be enforced.
• Difficulty in legal action: It’s nearly impossible to sue or file complaints against a non-existent or untraceable business.
• No reviews or reputation: Fake businesses can’t be held accountable by the community and often fabricate their own reviews.
• Uninsured, unqualified crews: Many of these companies cut corners in every way, using unskilled labor and subpar materials.

Bottom line: If you can’t verify who you’re hiring, your home, money, and peace of mind are at risk.

• Generic or copied names: Look out for names like “Dallas Masonry Experts” or “Best Stucco Repair Pro,” especially if they closely mimic established businesses.
• Multiple names, same phone number: If you find the same contact number or website linked to several business names, be suspicious.
• No business registration: Check the Texas Secretary of State website or your local government’s business registry.

• PO Box or shipping store: Real contractors have a physical location, not just a mailbox.
• Shared “office suites” or virtual addresses: Dozens of businesses using the same address? That’s a warning sign.
• Residential addresses: Some legitimate businesses run from home, but they should be upfront about it—not hiding it.
• No address at all: A refusal to provide a physical address is a dealbreaker.

• Google Maps: Type in the address and use Street View to see if it’s a real business.
• Reverse address lookup: See if multiple, unrelated businesses use the same spot.
• Check for consistency: Does the address match what you find on their website, business cards, and any quotes you receive?

A homeowner in Plano hired “Premier Brick Pros” to repair a sagging brick wall. After paying a deposit, work started but quickly stopped. The company vanished, the phone disconnected, and the provided address was a UPS mailbox. The homeowner lost over $3,000 and had to hire a real masonry contractor to fix the mess.

In Frisco, a couple hired a “local” stucco repair company whose website listed a prestigious address. After a fast, shoddy patch job, cracks reappeared within weeks. When the homeowners tried to claim their “5-year warranty,” they found the address belonged to a virtual office, and the company had already changed its name online.

• Ask for the contractor’s full legal business name and physical office or shop address.
• Search for their business on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
• Google the address—does it show a real office or shop? Use Street View for confirmation.

• Check reviews on Google Maps using “masonry repair near me” or “stucco repair contractor [your city].”
• Look for a long history of positive reviews (not just recent, generic, or suspiciously similar ones).
• Ask for references from actual homeowners in your area.

• Real contractors don’t hide. Insist on an in-person estimate at your home.
• Ask to see their portfolio, business card, and if possible, visit their office.

• Insist on a written estimate and contract, including the business name, address, and project details.
• Don’t accept verbal agreements or vague handshakes.

• How long have you operated under this business name?
• Can you show examples of similar masonry or stucco repair projects nearby?
• Who will supervise the work, and who will actually do the repairs?
• What happens if there is a problem after completion? How do I reach you?

• Never pay the entire amount upfront. A deposit is standard, but pay in phases as work is completed.
• Use a check or credit card—never cash—so you have a record.

• Frequent name changes: Avoiding negative reviews and legal claims.
• Fake addresses: Hiding behind mail drops, virtual offices, or addresses that can’t be verified.
• Fake or bought reviews: Scammers will post their own reviews or use stolen identities.
• High-pressure sales: “Today only” discounts or demands for immediate, large deposits.
• Vague or missing contracts: No written scope, no details, no accountability.

1. What is your full legal business name and physical address?
2. May I visit your office or see other local projects you’ve completed?
3. How long have you worked under this business name?
4. Can I see proof of insurance and references?
5. Who will manage my project, and how do I contact them?
6. Will I get a written contract and estimate?
7. How will you match the color and texture of my existing brick or stucco?
8. What is your warranty policy, and how do I make a claim if needed?

• Stop the process immediately. Don’t give any money or sign anything until you verify their identity.
• Report the company to the Better Business Bureau and your local consumer protection agency.
• Warn your neighbors—post your experience on Nextdoor or local Facebook groups.
• Contact your bank or credit card company if you’ve already made a payment and suspect fraud.

• Accountability: A real company is part of your community and cares about its reputation.
• Project history: You can see their completed work and talk to neighbors who’ve used their services.
• Long-term relationship: You’ll always know who to call for future maintenance and repairs.
• Peace of mind: You have recourse if something goes wrong.

• Ask neighbors, friends, and family for recommendations—word of mouth is powerful.
• Use Google Maps or Google My Business to find “masonry repair near me” or “stucco repair contractor [city].”
• Look for consistent branding: Same name, address, and phone number across website, reviews, and paperwork.
• Check local forums—Nextdoor, Facebook groups, and community boards often have real reviews from homeowners.

Red Flags  Green Flags  No verifiable address  Real, visitable office or shop  Multiple business names  Consistent business name everywhere  All new or oddly similar reviews  Years of reviews, diverse feedback  Requests for large cash deposit  Phased payments, accepts check/card  Refusal to write a contract  Clear, detailed contract provided  Unwilling to answer questions  Responsive, transparent, happy to help 

Highland Park, Dallas:
A homeowner searched for “stucco repair near me” and found several companies. One listed a prestigious address but, upon closer inspection, the address was a mailbox at a UPS store. They chose a contractor with a real office in the neighborhood, checked references, and got high-quality work with a written warranty.

Plano, TX:
A couple needed masonry repair on their historic home. They used Google Maps to check the contractor’s address and found a real shop with photos and signage. The team provided before-and-after photos and references from other Plano homeowners. The project was completed on time with lasting results.

Hiring a masonry or stucco repair contractor is about more than just fixing cracks or stains—it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring your home’s value for years to come. A real, reputable contractor will:

• Assess your needs honestly
• Offer transparent pricing and written estimates
• Use high-quality materials and skilled crews
• Communicate clearly throughout the project
• Stand behind their work with a real warranty

• Do your homework: Always verify the contractor’s name and address.
• Meet face to face: Don’t trust virtual-only contractors for real work.
• Get it in writing: Protect yourself with detailed contracts and payment records.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, look elsewhere.

Your home deserves the best. Don’t risk it for a quick fix or the lowest bid.

At Anem Masonry and Stucco, we’re proud to offer real, local service with a reputation built on honesty, quality, and satisfied homeowners throughout DFW’s finest neighborhoods. With a real address, years of references, and hundreds of happy clients, we’re ready to help you restore your home with confidence.

Call 972 748 8203 or fill out our secure online form to request a free, no-obligation estimate for masonry or stucco repair today.

Protect your home—and your peace of mind—with a masonry and stucco repair company who stands behind every brick, every patch, and every promise.