Hi, I would like to add a screen porch to my house, the framing and finish I can do myself. I had toyed with the idea of just wood framing a deck but I think a brick foundation would look better. [LIST=1] [*]What should I do and look for when hiring a mason? [*]How do I estimate cost before talking to one? [*]Kinda the same as 2 but what do masons charge? I am in South Carolina if that helps? [/LIST] Thanks Wade

Hi, I have a concrete slab home, built in 50's with an tiny attached 1-car garage. Near the front of the garage at NW corner is where my door to laundry room and rest of house is located. Within a couple feet of the laundry doorway are my waterpipes which go into the slab. Snowmelt from the front psgr side of my suv lands on floor and travels to the wall where the water pipes are located. I currently lay down 6mil plastic with edges wrapped in wood to 'hold' the snowmelt. I've been doing this for years and occasionally leaks occur. Water has made it to the edge of the laundry room door. The year after I added new drywall to laundryroom, I got water damage again. Years ago I replaced about 4' of damaged drywall in the garage but this has also gotten damaged. I've had estimates from 2 companies who place objects(can't remember name) below the slab to raise the floor. One company reported it wouldnt work and the other guy wanted to sell me $6000 in work but was a yahoo. My thought to grind down concrete near center of floor to move water away from the wall was logically shot down (d/t slope, may cause water to flow to other wall, etc)by one who recommended adding a leveler to the floor. I have serious concerns that this option would eventually lead to the levelling product peeling, etc over time. I may or may not have a vapor barrier below the att garage. I learned there is one below the actual 1950's house after I had radon mitigation installed. Concrete in garage does, of course, get condensation, but I'm concerned I also get moisture coming up through the concrete. I believe my water pipes, subsurface, are in tact. Water consumption has been stable throughout the years. Mudjacking has been recommended but I'm concerned this could cause damage to water pipes subsurface which would be a big expense. It has also been recommended to have old floor removed and new floor poured including new gravel, etc underlayment. The walls of the garage are finished. I can't see how the house and the garage are connected at the slab or if they share the same vertical part of the slab on their shared walls.. if this makes sense. House and garage built at same time. One guy suggested cutting a trench in concrete and running a drain down the length of the garage and on to the driveway. That sounded scary and I could see lots of maintenance. I imagine this problem happens in many garages. Anyone have any decent solutions? I'd like it to be a permanant solution or a solution that a future owner of the home would find acceptable and be able to pass a house inspection. Water pipe location is a consideration for any good solution. BTW, there is no drain in the garage. I do have a 1 crack that has formed slowly over the years at garage floor center below the big door and running 2/3 - 3/4 way to front of garage. It is a skinny crach and hairline near front of garage. (Im going to have exterior work done to ensure all water diverted away from garage.). Thanks!