I’m planning some exterior work at my house and am trying to figure out what I should look for before hiring someone. The project may involve repairing some older brickwork and possibly adding a small stone patio, so I’d rather find someone with experience in both repair and new construction. I’ve been searching for a masonry contractor New Jersey homeowners have had good experiences with, but there are so many options that it’s difficult to tell who is actually reliable. What questions would you ask a contractor before getting a quote, and are there any red flags I should watch for?