Concrete and masonry planning blueprints and stone material samples — Rodak Construction resources and guides
    RESOURCES & GUIDES

    Better Projects Start With Better Questions.

    Free guides, planning worksheets and maintenance information to help you make better decisions about your concrete and masonry project—whether or not you hire Rodak.

    Free Homeowner Guides

    The Minnesota Homeowner's Concrete & Masonry Hiring Checklist

    7 questions to ask before accepting a concrete or masonry estimate.

    Read 7 Questions Guide

    Minnesota Concrete Maintenance Calendar

    Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter — what to do and when to protect your investment.

    Read Maintenance Calendar

    Patio Planning Guide: What to Decide First

    What to decide before requesting estimates.

    Read the Patio Guide

    Outdoor Kitchen Planning Worksheet

    Grill · Storage · Utilities · Seating · Shade · Fire · Traffic flow · Budget priorities.

    Read Kitchen Worksheet
    FROM THE RODAK GUIDE

    Read Before You Build

    THE REAL COST OF A LOW BID

    The Lowest Bid Can Become the Most Expensive Project

    Concrete and masonry aren't just about how a project looks the day it's finished.

    Minnesota moisture, snow, temperature swings and repeated freeze-thaw cycles can expose shortcuts quickly.

    • Poor preparation
    • Wrong materials
    • Improper joint placement
    • Drainage problems
    • Rushed installation

    They may save money today—and create cracking, movement, flaking and repairs later.

    Your project deserves more than a number on an estimate. You deserve to understand what's being built, why it's being built that way, and what it will take to maintain it.

    Talk With Rodak
    AUTHORITY & GUIDE

    A Smaller Crew Is One of Our Biggest Advantages

    Rodak is a family business.

    That means your project isn't passed through layers of salespeople, project managers and subcontractors you've never met.

    The owners stay personally involved. The details matter.

    And because our reputation is attached to every project we complete, we want the finished work to be something we're proud to put our name on.

    • Personal attention
    • Clear project conversations
    • Minnesota-specific construction knowledge
    • Thoughtful material recommendations
    • Straightforward estimates
    • Answers before, during and after your project

    Have a question after the project? We're one call away.

    Meet Rodak
    MINNESOTA CHANGES THE RULES

    Pretty Isn't Enough

    Water works its way into small pores and cracks.

    Then winter arrives. The water freezes. It expands.

    Over repeated cycles, poorly designed or deteriorating concrete and masonry may begin to crack, chip, flake or shift.

    Temperature changes also make materials expand and contract. That's why proper preparation, materials, drainage, control joints, expansion considerations and installation methods matter.

    Pretty isn't enough. We want it built correctly underneath, too.

    Learn How We Build for Minnesota

    Educational Articles

    Outdoor Kitchen Resources

    • How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost in Minnesota?
    • What Is the Best Material for an Outdoor Kitchen in Minnesota?
    • Can You Leave an Outdoor Kitchen Outside All Winter?
    • What Foundation Does an Outdoor Kitchen Need?
    • Built-In Grill vs. Freestanding Grill
    • Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Minnesota Backyards
    Explore Outdoor Kitchen

    Patio & Concrete Resources

    • Stamped Concrete Patio Cost in Minnesota
    • Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers
    • How Thick Should a Concrete Patio Be?
    • Why Do Concrete Patios Crack?
    • What Causes Concrete to Heave in Minnesota?
    • When Should You Seal Stamped Concrete?
    Explore Patio & Concrete

    Fireplace & Indoor Masonry Resources

    • How Much Does Fireplace Refacing Cost?
    • Natural Stone vs. Manufactured Stone Fireplace
    • Can You Put Stone Over a Brick Fireplace?
    • Floor-to-Ceiling Stone Fireplace Ideas
    • What Makes a Fireplace Look Dated?
    • What Is the Best Stone for a Fireplace?
    Explore Fireplace & Indoor Masonry

    Entry & Mudroom Resources

    • Best Natural Stone for a Minnesota Mudroom
    • How Snow and Road Salt Affect Entryway Floors
    • Heated Mudroom Floor Preparation
    • Natural Stone vs. Tile for a Mudroom
    • Concrete Entryway Ideas
    • Connecting an Exterior Stoop to a Mudroom Remodel
    Explore Entry & Mudroom

    Have a Question Not Covered Here?

    Ask us about your project directly. We'd rather answer your question than have you guess.

    Ask Us About Your Project