FAQ

Maçonnerie JML is based in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and serves the Suroît region as well as Montreal’s South Shore. Our service areas include Valleyfield, Vaudreuil, the West Island, Châteauguay and the South Shore. For large-scale commercial or institutional mandates, such as our involvement in the expansion of the Châteauguay multisport centre, we can also work outside this zone. Contact us to discuss your project.

Maçonnerie JML specializes in commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential projects. We complete about 60 projects a year with a team of roughly thirty employees, which gives us the capacity to take on large-scale job sites. Commercial façades, office buildings, schools, sports centres, government buildings, condo complexes: that’s our everyday playing field.

Maçonnerie JML holds a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), number 8333-3856-32, authorizing the execution of structural masonry work (sub-category 4.1). The company is a member of the Association des Entrepreneurs en Maçonnerie du Québec (AEMQ). We also carry civil liability insurance and CNESST coverage for all our employees, essential protections for our clients on commercial and institutional projects.

At Maçonnerie JML, every person who shows up on our job sites is up to date on their training. All our bricklayer-masons hold their CCQ competency cards, their occupational health and safety (OHS) training and their lifting certifications. We invest in ongoing training so our team stays compliant with the industry’s latest standards. Our approach is simple: we do things by the book, no shortcuts. That’s why our job sites pass inspections without issue and why our clients trust us project after project.

Contact us at (450) 377-5361 or through our online form to tell us about your project. We then schedule a site visit to assess the scope of work, site conditions and the materials required. Following that visit, we prepare a detailed quote that includes material quantities, labour and the project steps. We prefer to take the time to properly assess each project rather than give a rough figure that could change along the way.

Yes. Most of our commercial and institutional projects come to us with architectural or engineering plans. Our masons are used to reading and interpreting technical construction drawings. For residential projects where clients only have a general idea, we adapt too. If adjustments are needed to meet building codes or improve durability, our team will let you know before work begins.

Every project follows a structured process: an initial meeting to understand your needs, a site visit, a detailed quote, then a clear schedule with specific milestones. During the work, a site supervisor oversees progress and clients have a direct point of contact. For larger projects (multi-unit residential, institutional), regular site meetings are scheduled with the general contractor and other stakeholders.

All our employees hold their CCQ competency cards and have completed mandatory occupational health and safety training. CNESST rules are followed at all times: mandatory personal protective equipment, adherence to procedures for working at heights and on scaffolding, and constant attention to the risks involved in handling heavy materials. Our job sites remain clean and safe for both workers and nearby residents.

The main materials we use are clay brick, natural stone, artificial stone (adhered stone veneer) and architectural concrete blocks. Clay brick remains the most popular choice for façades in Quebec because of its durability and resistance to our climate’s freeze-thaw cycles. The choice of materials depends on the type of project, the architect’s specifications and the budget. Maçonnerie JML only uses top-quality materials from recognized suppliers.

Commercial masonry involves large-scale projects such as storefronts, warehouses and office buildings. Timelines are often tight, and coordination between multiple trades on the same job site is essential. For institutional masonry (schools, hospitals, government buildings), the requirements are even stricter: rigorous technical specifications, seismic requirements and building codes specific to public buildings. Residential masonry, mainly multi-unit buildings, places more emphasis on façade aesthetics and staying within the project budget.

A well-built and properly maintained brick or stone wall can last more than 100 years. Its longevity depends on the quality of the materials, the mortar mix, the quality of the installation and regular maintenance. In Quebec, freeze-thaw cycles are the main cause of deterioration: water that seeps into the joints and freezes causes cracks over time. That’s why mortar joints need to be inspected periodically and repaired as needed (repointing).

Masonry is one of the oldest trades in construction. Despite technological advances in other sectors, the bricklayer-mason’s craft remains essentially manual and hands-on. It’s work that depends on weather conditions, precision of movement and the worker’s experience. And that’s exactly what gives this material its strength: masonry offers exceptional durability, resists the elements, fire, insects and mould, and requires practically no maintenance compared to wood or vinyl siding. A brick exterior keeps its appearance for decades and adds value to the property.

Brick and stone offer thermal mass that absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night, which helps stabilize indoor temperature. Acoustically, masonry walls block sound much more effectively than wood-frame walls, an important advantage in multi-unit residential projects. However, to meet the thermal insulation levels required by the Quebec Construction Code, a masonry wall must be combined with rigid insulation in the wall cavity.

Masonry work is governed by the Quebec Construction Code (based on the National Building Code of Canada), CSA standards such as A371 for masonry, and RBQ requirements, which mandate a valid licence for contractors. The CCQ regulates the workforce and requires a competency certificate for bricklayer-masons. On top of that, municipal bylaws also apply, and they vary from one city to another, especially for façades in heritage sectors.

Do a visual inspection every spring to spot cracks in the mortar joints, damaged bricks or signs of water infiltration. Repointing should be done as soon as the joints show signs of deterioration. For cleaning, a low-pressure wash with clean water is enough. Avoid high-pressure washers, which damage the joints and the brick surface. Also avoid waterproofing sealants without professional advice, since some trap moisture and cause more damage than good.