Custom Patio Design & Installation

The right patio should feel like a natural extension of your home and landscape. The best material depends on the style of your property, how you plan to use the space, your budget, and the existing site conditions.

We work with a wide range of materials, including bluestone, flagstone, travertine, brick, concrete pavers, and permeable paver systems. Natural stone can have a traditional, natural-cleft finish or a smoother, more contemporary finish, while pavers offer a wide variety of colors, patterns, and styles.

During the design process, we’ll help you narrow down the options and select a material that complements your home, works well for your property, and fits the way you want to use the space.

What’s underneath your patio is just as important as what you see on the surface.

We begin by excavating and preparing the area to establish the proper grade and drainage. Depending on the site conditions, we may install geotextile fabric to separate the existing soil from the stone base. A properly sized crushed-stone base is then installed and thoroughly compacted in layers before the setting bed and finished patio material are installed.

Taking the time to build the foundation correctly helps minimize settling, shifting, and uneven surfaces and gives your patio a strong, long-lasting base.

Drainage is something we consider from the beginning of the project—not after the patio is installed.

We evaluate the existing grade and determine how water currently moves through the property. The patio is then designed with the appropriate pitch to direct water away from your home and toward a safe drainage area.

Properties with more complicated drainage conditions may benefit from additional solutions such as channel drains, catch basins, or permeable pavers. Every property is different, so we recommend drainage solutions based on the actual conditions we see on site.

Clay soil is common throughout the DC area and requires some additional consideration when building a patio.

Because clay holds moisture and can expand and contract as conditions change, proper excavation and base preparation are especially important. Depending on your property, we may recommend deeper excavation, additional aggregate, or a thicker base compacted in multiple layers.

We don’t believe in using the exact same construction approach on every property. We build the foundation based on the soil, drainage, and site conditions beneath your patio.

Absolutely. In fact, thoughtful grading and hardscape design can transform a sloped or difficult yard into a much more functional outdoor space.

Depending on the elevation changes, we may create multiple patio levels connected by steps or incorporate retaining or seat walls to help manage the grade. Wall and step details can be finished with complementary stone or coping to create a cohesive, finished look.

We’ll evaluate the existing grade and develop a layout that feels comfortable, intentional, and practical for the way you want to use your yard.

Yes—but it’s important for us to know about these features before construction begins.

Hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, fireplaces, and other substantial features can place additional loads on the patio and may require a different foundation or structural preparation. Depending on the feature and site conditions, that may mean deeper excavation, a thicker base, footings, or other additional support.

Planning for these elements from the beginning allows us to build the patio appropriately for its intended use and helps avoid costly changes later.

Your patio can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like. We can customize the size, shape, materials, patterns, borders, and surrounding features to complement your home and landscape.

Brick and pavers can be installed in patterns such as herringbone, running bond, and basketweave, and contrasting materials can be used to create borders and other details.

We can also incorporate features such as built-in fire pits, seat walls, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, steps, planting areas, and landscape lighting to create a complete outdoor living space rather than simply a patio.

We can handle both the design and installation of your patio, so most clients do not need to hire a separate designer.

During our initial consultation, we’ll look at the property as a whole—including grade, drainage, access, existing landscaping, architecture, and surrounding features. Just as importantly, we’ll talk with you about how you want to use the space, the materials and styles you’re drawn to, and your overall budget.

For projects that benefit from additional visualization, we also offer 2D and 3D design services so you can better understand the proposed layout and how the finished space will look. Design fees apply, but are waived when you move forward with the associated project estimate.

Yes. Small DC yards can make wonderful outdoor spaces when every square foot is used thoughtfully.

We can incorporate elements such as built-in seat walls, appropriately scaled planting areas, and carefully selected materials to make a compact space feel comfortable and intentional without overcrowding it.

Access is often another consideration with rowhouses and urban properties. Our team is experienced working in tight spaces and properties where materials and equipment must pass through narrow gates, alleys, or other limited access points. When larger equipment cannot reach the work area, we adjust our installation approach accordingly.

Yes. We love designing hardscapes that feel as though they belong with the home rather than looking like an addition that was installed years later.

For historic and traditional homes, materials such as natural stone, brick, and cobblestone can work beautifully. Details such as tumbled finishes, traditional brick patterns, natural stone borders, and carefully selected colors can help tie the new space into existing architecture and masonry.

During the consultation, we’ll look at the materials and character already present on your property and recommend options that complement them.

Often, yes.

If your patio has settled, shifted, developed uneven areas, or is experiencing drainage issues, we can evaluate what is causing the problem and determine whether repair makes sense.

With many stone, brick, and paver patios, affected areas can be carefully removed so the underlying base can be corrected or rebuilt. The existing material can then be reset and the joints restored where appropriate.

If the underlying foundation has failed extensively or the existing materials are badly deteriorated, replacement may provide better long-term value. We’ll evaluate the patio first and talk through the options with you before recommending a direction.

Many patio projects can be completed in approximately one to two weeks, although larger or more complex projects may take longer.

Excavation, grading, drainage, access, weather, material selections, intricate patterns, steps, walls, and other details can all affect the construction timeline.

Once we’ve evaluated your property and finalized the scope of work, we can give you a much better idea of what to expect for your particular project. As with most landscape construction, schedules can remain somewhat fluid due to weather, site conditions, and other factors outside of our control.

It depends on the property and the scope of the project.

Permit and approval requirements can vary by jurisdiction and may be affected by factors such as the size and location of the patio, lot coverage, setbacks, drainage, excavation, retaining walls, and additional structures or utilities.  For example, historic districts always require permits. Examples of these include districts like Takoma Park, Cleveland Park, Georgetown, and others.

Outdoor kitchens with gas or electrical connections, substantial walls, and other structural elements may require additional permits or licensed trades.

We can help identify the requirements that may apply to your project and discuss the permitting process with you when necessary.

We stand behind our craftsmanship and take pride in building hardscapes correctly from the ground up.

Because patios can vary significantly in material, construction, existing site conditions, and scope, warranty coverage is specific to the individual project. The warranty applicable to your project will be clearly outlined in your proposal before work begins.

Our focus is always on proper preparation, drainage, installation, and attention to detail so that your finished patio is not only beautiful when we leave, but built to perform well for years to come.