Featured Contractor: Max from Ramos Masonry (RI)

As natural stone manufacturers and distributors, we have the pleasure of working with skilled tradespeople all around the country, each with their own story, community, and specialty. One of the best parts about our role in the industry is connecting with people, we love getting to showcase "Featured Contractors" and the teamwork and projects they are passionate about. This month, we talked with Ramos Masonry's owner and founder, Max Ramos, about his 20 years of experience as a mason and a business owner. Based in Johnston, Rhode Island, and known throughout the area for residential and commercial work, Ramos Masonry is the talent behind many outdoor kitchens, patios, fire pits, custom pool designs, stone walls, and stone decks.

Waterfront Property Stone Wall Incorporating a Custom Blend of Delgado Stone Full Bed Veneer

Like some of our previous featured contractors, Max got his start working for a mason and friend more than 25 years ago, where he gained experience using full-bed stone veneer and building retaining walls. He told us how this led to working side jobs a few years later until it became a challenge to juggle with a full-time job. "I liked doing things on my own," he explained. "But it became too much at night and on weekends after eight-hour days." While he hesitated to leave because of his friendship with his boss, Max was fortunate that his boss ultimately recognized and encouraged his potential as a business owner. "One day, too many people were calling, and my friend got upset because I was attending to calls on the job," he shared. "But then we were able to have that conversation, where he said it was time for me to start my own business--and even though I didn't want to leave at first, I decided to work for myself." Max started Ramos Masonry with two people and has now grown to a team of 25.

When asked what challenges Max faced as he grew as a mason and a business owner, he answered: learning how to deal with employees and customers. "It's hard when employees don't do things the way you want them to," he said. "Then you have to go back, and sometimes redo projects that you’re not happy with." However, he recognizes it's an important part of doing work you take pride in. Managing customer expectations is something else Max has grown an understanding and appreciation for. "Sometimes people don’t know what they want," he said. "It's a work-in-progress, and sometimes you have to change things as the project goes along. And before you make changes, you want to run it by and communicate with the customer first."

The lessons in customer service have helped Max develop his business's best practices and earn his good reputation: "You have to set expectations upfront, stay calm and easygoing, own your mistakes when they happen, and go back and fix them." This is also how he ensures that projects run smoothly: he says he spends a lot of his hours overseeing every single project. He relies on his solid, experienced team to take care of details, but his presence and communication with clients and teammates is a key to Ramos Masonry's success.

American Mist Roughly Squares and Rectangles, and the expert design and installation, add a special touch to siding and steps. 

One of Max's favorite projects is a longer-term one he is currently still working on in Jamestown, which he described as a "bluestone type of look," achieved with the Colonial Grey collection (now discontinued, but very similar to the popular Liberty Hill Collection.) What makes the job unique is how the stone tied together different features, including an indoor and outdoor fireplace. His team is currently working on the pool and patio now, using a combination of thinstone and full-bed veneer. 

When it comes to materials and how they affect each project, Max said it depends on client goals and preferences. "Some like a more natural look, and can be particular about what they're looking for, which determines how it’s going to go," he said. "If there's a tight fit, you have to cut every single piece on site, so that affects the timeline and outcome." As for favorite stones, Max said he likes Connecticut Blend Thinstone for its variation of colors, and because it's easier to break with a hammer onsite. He added, "Thinstone is easier to work with, and you don’t have to have much experience as you do with full-bed, which you have to work harder to shape."

Max says his favorite part of his work is when the homeowner sees the final product. He explained how he enjoys seeing the transition and what the team achieved, and how the investment becomes worthwhile. "We make a mess along the way and take everything apart. Sometimes, the homeowner has no idea how everything will come together at the end, so delivering the final product is where the satisfaction comes from." Putting himself in the customer's shoes helps him make important business decisions when it comes to hiring, working on projects, and building a community. 

"The most important thing is to think of it being your own project and house: you wouldn’t want to hire just anybody," Max said. "You run the business by making the customer happy, whether it's a family member, friend, or neighbor. It's not all about the money or the job; it’s about wanting your work to look good ten years from now." He added that happy customers are also the "best kind of referrals." 

Thanks to Max for taking the time to share his business story with us, and we look forward to seeing more stunning pools and landscape design projects! To learn more about Ramos Masonry, visit their website. You can contact them by phone at (401) 996-7165 or by email at ramosmasonryllc06@hotmail.com. For more landscape architecture inspiration, download our Landscape and Saw Shop Products Guide.