As the owner of Stone Man Masonry Company, I would like to thank you for considering us for your
special project. I will be happy to help you with my creative input in assessing the job. I can
show you an extensive portfolio of completed projects and bring samples that may pertain to your
requirements. The design process, sketching, and estimating are provided free of charge. This
special service is not without cost to me, so please give careful considceration to our
proposal. I am present on every job and I personally oversee the progress. You have my personal
guarantee of satisfaction. You will make a wise decision in choosing the quality and reliability
we offer.
The value of each project is determined by the cost of materials, usually a third of the total,
plus labor and overhead. Our men work in a dangerous environment with heavy, jagged rocks and
power tools. These circumstances have a direct effect on the cost of labor. Our trade has one of
the absolute highest worker's compensation rates in the construction business. Our trucks must
haul a massive amount of weight, therefore, they are not made for fuel efficiency. Furthermore,
our equipment must withstand a beating that only stone give. Our administrative costs and taxes
are also factored into our overhead. Our growing list of clients is a testament to the value and
service we provide.
Once the scope of the project is determined, designs and estimates approved, the job is
scheduled. A one-third deposit is requested upon arrival of the materials. At 50% completion, an
additional one-third payment is required to cover the costs of any labor having been done. The
last one-third payment is due upon completion.
Special arrangements other than those outlined above must be agreed upon in writing prior to the
commencement of any work.
For 33 years, Jim has been donating to all of Canton's emergency services, AIDS research, Cancer
research, CPTV, WGBY and many other local charities just to name a few. Here are some of the
most recent ones:
2007 - Peace Poll project
The peace poll is a fourteen foot high, five sided copper poll with a short prayer for peace in
ten languages that is going to be erected on the corner of East Hill road and Symons avenue at
the park in Canton, Ct. The peace poll committee was seeking donations for two curving
sidewalks, a patio, two park benches, a mall wall and peace poll for the middle. Jim called the
commitee to see who was going to do the paving and ended up donating all the materials and labor
for the sidewalks and wall.
2007 - Canton Fire Dept.
Jim's nephew, a volunteer firefighter for Canton, mentioned on several occassions that the town
needed a new ambulance, but lacked the budget to purchase one. Jim met with emergency officials
in Canton and offered to donate a third of the amount needed and to run a fund raiser to get the
remaining amount. The proposal was accepted and Jim set off to raise $110,000 for a new
ambulance.Jim has successfully raised $140,000 and the ambulance has been ordered. Over 400
local businesses and individuals participated.
2004 - Canton Fire Dept.
The Canton Fire Department requested a quote to build a wall in front of the fire department for
a planter and flag in dedication to firemen who lost their lives in the line of duty. Since many
family members of Jim's family have been firemen, he donated the labor and materials as a token
of his appreciation to all the men and women who risk their lives daily.
2003 - 4H Club
The Auer Farm in Bloomfield, CT requested a quote for a stone wall to be built. Auer Farm is a
place where inner city children come to view and experience farm life as they have never seen
before. It is a working farm which was in part donated to the non-profit in 1976 by the family
of Beatrice Fox Auerbach, owner of G. Fox and Co, who created the farm as a premier dairy,
poultry and apple farm in the mid 20th Century. Jim donated all of the materials and labor
necessarry to build the wall.
2002 - Gerital Swingers Club
The Gerital Swingers Club is a golf club comprised of gentlemen who are WW II veteranss. The
club is located at Orchil Farms Recreational Center, which is owned by the town of Simsbury. In
1973, Jim helped work on the dam at the 17th hole which was deteriorating over time. The club
called Jim for a quote to face the dam with Brownstone and repair the the spill-way and build a
concrete bridge over it at the 17th hole. Jim recommended the addition of stone walls and
pillars on the bridge to go over the spill-way. This project was in dedication to veterans who
lost their lives during the Vietnam War. The total amount was for the project was $34,000, and
Jim donated half the labor, materials and completed the project.
Jim's passion for stone architecture has led him on incredible travels. He has traveled the
world in search of ruins and structures that speak about the past through stone.
Peru - spent two months in Peru to visit ancient stone work at Machupichu and other ancient Inca
sites.
Europe - many trips to see Roman ruins all over Europe. From Greece to Ireland, England,
Scotland, Wales. Spent a lot of time visitng Viking settlements, fortresses, castles, &
aqueducts. Visited stone quarries and studied different types of stone used throughout the Roman
and Medieval periods, and also some pre-Roman structures such as Stonehendge. Also visited
Santorini, Crete, Andros, and Delos.
Mexico - spent 2 months visiting all the Mayan, Toltec, Aztec pyramids and ruins all over the
country.
Australia - visited aboriginal rock shelters in the far northeast.
