What does a stone patio, wall or walkway cost?Cost
Every commission is priced after Edgar walks the site — square footage, the stone you choose, how deep the base must go, drainage and access all change the number. You receive a written proposal with a fixed price and a clear scope before anything begins. The estimate itself is free.
Why do you set stone in mortar instead of sand?Craft
Sand-set stone looks right for a season. Then water, roots and the first hard freeze start moving it. We bed every stone in mortar on a reinforced, drained concrete base, so the surface stays as level as the day it was finished — for decades, not seasons.
Who will actually be working on my property?Working together
Edgar leads every project personally, with lead masons who have worked to his standard for years. No subcontracted crews you have never met. We are fully insured — general liability and workers’ compensation.
When is the best time to build — and can you work in winter?Timing
Mortar has to cure above freezing, so most stonework is set from spring through fall, and on mild winter days. The smartest time to plan is winter: Edgar walks the site in the quiet months and your project is placed in the Spring Book for the first start dates of the season.
Where do you work?Working together
Across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia — including McLean, Great Falls, Arlington, Falls Church, Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Georgetown and Capitol Hill. See our work
town by town.
Do you guarantee your work?Warranty
Yes — in writing.
Five years on every new stone commission, and
ten years on the base beneath it. Two years on new concrete flatwork, and one year on any repair we perform. Your terms are written into your proposal and recorded on your Certificate of Commission.
Read the full warranty.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell my home?Warranty
Yes. The warranty stays with the house — the next owner keeps every remaining year. Your stonework is made to be inherited; so is our promise.
How long will my project take?Timing
It depends on the size of the work and the site. Every proposal states approximate start and completion dates, and Edgar gives you an honest timeline before you sign — not after.
How does payment work?Cost
A deposit when the proposal is signed and the balance on completion, exactly as written in your proposal; larger commissions may be staged. In Maryland the deposit never exceeds one third of the contract price. Payment by check, or securely online.
How do we get started?Working together
Request a private estimate or call us. Edgar walks your property, listens, and looks at what is underneath. You receive a written proposal to review and sign electronically, and your start date is set.
Can I see the design on my own home before I commit?Working together
Yes. The
Design Commission gives you your space drawn to scale in up to three stone directions — plan, section and details, and a board of the stone — on a private design page you can share and approve. It is $400, credited in full when you build — and the estimate itself is still free.
What is the difference between a mason and a landscaper?Craft
A landscaping company sells many trades. We do one. Stone is all we have set for more than thirty-six years — and the part that decides whether it lasts is the base no one ever sees.
Do you work with our architect, landscape designer or builder?Craft
Yes. We build to the drawing — elevations, joints, radii and coursing set as specified, not as convenient — and we work quietly inside the wider project schedule.
Which stone should I choose?Stone
Blue Select bluestone for a dense, refined, cool-toned surface. Full-range Pennsylvania flagstone for warm, natural earth tones. Belgian block for driveway borders and edging that hold their line. Natural fieldstone for walls and chimneys that look like they grew there. Edgar brings the choice down to what suits your house.
Can you repair or match the stone we already have?Craft
Yes. Repairs and extensions are regular work for us. We source stone to match color and thickness — and if the old base failed, we rebuild it, because a patch on a failed base fails again.
Why is my retaining wall leaning?Craft
Almost always water. When soil behind a wall stays wet, the pressure pushes it out. The lasting fix is rebuilding on a proper footing with drainage behind it — patching the face only buys a season.
Do you build outdoor kitchens and fireplaces?Craft
We build the stone: the footing, the walls, the counters and the fireplace. Gas, electrical and appliances are installed by the specialists for those trades, and we coordinate with them so every line is ready.
Do you take smaller projects?Working together
Yes. Walkways, steps, seating walls and repairs are a real part of our work — and a small project gets the same base and the same standard as a large one.
Will my lawn and property be protected?Working together
Yes. We stage carefully, protect the grounds around the work, and leave a clean site at the end of every day — and at the end of the job.
Does my project need a permit?Working together
Some do — most often retaining walls above a certain height, structures, and removing large trees in the District. Edgar tells you on the site visit whether your project is likely to need one, before you sign anything.
A white haze appeared on my new stone. Is something wrong?Care
No. It is efflorescence — natural salts leaving the stone and mortar in the first months. It fades on its own. Brush it dry, and never acid-wash it.
How do I care for natural stone in winter?Care
For traction, use sand or calcium magnesium acetate — never rock salt or ammonium-based de-icers, which attack stone and joints. Plastic shovel blades only.
Should natural stone be sealed?Care
It is optional, never required. If you choose to seal, use only a breathable, penetrating sealer — and call us first. The wrong product traps moisture under the surface.
