Austin Vehicle Impact Brick & Garage Repair
Vehicle Impact Brick Repair in Austin, TX: Insurance, Framing & Garage Restoration
Vehicle damaged your brick home or garage? See how Masonry RX handled an Austin vehicle-impact repair involving brick, framing, garage doors, insurance, drywall and painting.
When a vehicle damages a brick home, the visible masonry damage is often only part of the problem.
Masonry RX recently completed a vehicle-impact brick repair in Austin, Texas after a delivery vehicle rolled into the center section between two garage doors. The impact damaged the brick column, shifted the framing behind it, and affected the garage-door system.
What initially looked like a brick repair became a coordinated project involving masonry, structural framing, garage doors, garage-door openers, drywall, trim, and painting.
The Initial Damage
The vehicle struck the center section between two garage doors.
During our inspection, we found damage to the:
Center brick column
Soldier-course brick above the garage opening
Framing behind the masonry
Garage-door tracks and railings
Garage-door components
Interior drywall and trim
Because the framing had shifted, this could not be treated as a simple brick replacement.
Why We Quoted More Than Just the Visible Brick Damage
When we prepare an estimate for vehicle-impact masonry damage, we look at the entire affected area instead of only the bricks that are visibly cracked or displaced.
In this case, the homeowner originally needed the damaged center column repaired. However, we explained that removing only the visible damaged brick could expose additional structural damage.
If we had quoted only the small brick section and then discovered more damage after demolition, the project could have stopped while the homeowner went back to the insurance company for additional approval.
Instead, we prepared a comprehensive repair scope based on the damage that could reasonably be uncovered during demolition.
This helps reduce delays and gives the homeowner and insurance company a clearer picture of the work that may be required.
Working With the Insurance Company
Masonry RX prepared a detailed contractor estimate for the masonry and access portion of the repair.
Our original estimate was $9,250.00.
After reviewing the claim, the insurance company approved $8,128.56 for the Masonry RX portion of the project.
The difference was $1,121.44, or approximately 12% below our original estimate.
We reviewed the insurance estimate and determined that we could complete our approved scope for that amount, so the homeowner did not have to delay the project by requesting an additional supplement for our work.
The structural framing contractor submitted his estimate separately.
Do You Have to Wait for the Insurance Check Before Repairs Begin?
Every claim is different.
For this particular Austin project, the homeowner was still waiting for the insurance payment to arrive after the repair amount had been approved.
Rather than delay the project, the homeowner chose to pay the normal 50% initial payment, which allowed us to begin ordering materials and coordinating the different trades.
The remaining balance was due after completion.
Once the scope was approved and the initial payment was made, we were able to move quickly.
Coordinating the Garage Doors and Garage-Door Openers
One of the most important parts of this repair was coordinating the garage-door work with the framing and masonry.
The damaged framing was located directly between the two garage-door openings. The framer could not properly access and repair that section while the doors and tracks were still in place.
Masonry RX coordinated with the garage-door installer and garage-door opener technician to remove both garage doors, tracks, railings, hardware, and the necessary opener components.
Once those components were out of the way, our masonry crew could remove the damaged brick and give the framer access to the structure behind it.
Removing the Damaged Masonry
Our masonry crew removed the damaged center brick column and the affected soldier-course brick above the garage.
We carefully opened enough of the area to allow the framing contractor to inspect, realign, and repair the damaged structure.
This sequence was important because we did not want to rebuild the brick before the framing behind it was corrected.
Structural Framing Repair
After the masonry and garage-door components were removed, the framing contractor repaired and realigned the damaged center support.
Once the structural framing was back in the proper position, Masonry RX could begin rebuilding the exterior masonry.
Having the framing completed first helped ensure that the replacement brickwork was installed against a properly repaired structure.
Matching the Existing Brick
For the reconstruction, we sourced Big John Country French brick from Acme Brick as the closest available match to the existing home.
With brick repairs, especially on an existing home, an exact color match is not always possible.
Before beginning the repair, we explained to the homeowner that there could be some visible color variation in the new center column and soldier course.
We believe it is important to discuss brick-matching expectations before installation rather than after the repair is complete.
Rebuilding the Brick Column and Soldier Course
Once the framing repair was finished, our masonry crew returned and rebuilt the damaged center column.
We also reconstructed the affected soldier course above the garage opening and completed the necessary mortar work.
The goal was to restore the damaged section while matching the existing masonry as closely as the available brick and mortar allowed.
Reinstalling the Garage Doors and Openers
After the framing and masonry work were completed, we coordinated another visit with the garage-door installer.
The installer returned to reinstall the:
Garage-door tracks, railings, both garage doors, associated hardware, and garage-door opener components.
The doors and openers were then tested to make sure everything was operating properly.
This was an important final step because the project was not complete simply because the brick had been rebuilt.
Drywall, Trim and Painting
The impact and structural repair also affected portions of the interior drywall and exterior trim.
We coordinated the drywall repair and scheduled the painter to complete the remaining trim and paint work after the larger repair work was finished.
Coordinating these trades in the correct order helped prevent one contractor from damaging another contractor’s completed work.
Final Cleanup
Once the work was complete, we removed the remaining construction debris and cleaned the work area.
The masonry, framing, garage doors, openers, drywall, trim, and paint repairs were completed in sequence so the homeowner was not left coordinating several unrelated contractors on his own.
How Long Does an Insurance-Related Masonry Repair Take?
The timeline depends on the damage, insurance approval, material availability, and the number of trades involved.
For this project, the property was inspected and estimated in August. After the insurance company reviewed and approved the repair scope, we were able to begin coordinating the work shortly afterward.
Once everything was approved, the actual construction moved relatively quickly because the brick, framing contractor, garage-door installer, drywall contractor, and painter had already been coordinated.
For larger insurance repairs, preparation and scheduling can sometimes take longer than the physical masonry work itself.
What If Additional Damage Is Found During Demolition?
Vehicle impacts can hide damage behind brick, drywall, sheathing, framing, or garage-door components.
For that reason, Masonry RX estimates may include language explaining that concealed damage discovered after demolition may require additional documentation and a supplemental repair scope.
If additional damage is found, we can photograph it, document the affected area, and prepare updated contractor pricing for the homeowner to provide to the insurance company.
Vehicle Impact Brick Repair in Austin, Texas
If a vehicle has damaged the brick, stone, garage opening, column, or exterior wall of your home, the masonry you see from the outside may only be part of the repair.
Masonry RX can help with:
Brick and stone damage inspections • Detailed repair estimates • Brick matching • Masonry demolition and reconstruction • Coordination with framing contractors • Garage-door and opener coordination • Drywall and painting coordination • Insurance repair documentation
We serve homeowners throughout Austin and the surrounding Central Texas area.
Need an Estimate for Vehicle Damage to Your Brick Home?
Contact Masonry RX, LLC to schedule an inspection.
We can evaluate the masonry damage, explain the likely repair sequence, prepare a detailed contractor estimate, and coordinate with the other trades needed to complete the repair properly.
Masonry RX, LLC
Austin, Texas
(512) 791-0385
info@masonryrx.com
masonryrx.com
