Somerset County gives homeowners room to work with. Subdivisions built over the last few decades in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Franklin Township, Montgomery and Branchburg sit on generous lots, and many backyards are still just lawn waiting for a plan. Further north, the Somerset Hills towns of Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Bedminster hold older estates with stone walls and long, formal approaches. In between are the historic downtowns of Somerville, Raritan and Bound Brook, with older homes close to the street.
Popular projects across Somerset County
Full backyard hardscapes. With more space, many homeowners here want more than a basic patio. We design paver patios with seating areas, steps down from the deck or back door, garden walkways and room for outdoor furniture, all laid on a compacted base that stays flat.
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces. A stone fire pit or outdoor fireplace turns a patio into a place you use well into the fall. We build them to fit the scale of the yard and set them at a safe distance from the house.
Paver driveways. Newer homes in Bridgewater and Hillsborough often have plain asphalt driveways that are due for replacement. A paver driveway with a contrasting border dresses up the front of the house and can be repaired one section at a time if it ever needs it.
Stone walls and entries. In the Somerset Hills, stone is part of the look. We repair and rebuild stone walls, build stacked stone entries and veneer, and add bluestone landings and steps that fit older homes.
Retaining walls. Watchung, Warren Township, Green Brook and parts of Bernardsville and Hillsborough have sloped lots. Retaining walls create level space for a patio or lawn and keep soil from creeping toward the house.
Water and ground conditions
Somerset County has a well-known relationship with water. Low-lying areas near the Raritan, Millstone and Green Brook have flooded during major storms, and wet basements are a familiar issue in some neighborhoods. In those areas we look at grading, downspouts and basement waterproofing before building anything new against the foundation.
Away from the rivers, many soils hold water after a heavy rain. A properly built base, good pitch and a plan for where runoff goes keep patios and driveways from heaving in winter.
Good to know before you start
- Permits and HOA approvals. Each municipality runs its own permits. Many newer subdivisions also have a homeowners association that wants to see plans for driveways, patios and walls. We provide drawings and material details to help with both.
- Historic homes and districts. If your home is in an older downtown or is a historic property, exterior changes may need review. Let us know and we will plan materials accordingly.
- Big projects take planning. A full backyard can take longer than a single patio. We give you a clear sequence of work so you know what to expect.
- Scheduling. Our offices are in Garfield and Hawthorne, and Somerset is a county we serve regularly. Booking your estimate in winter or early spring gives you the best choice of start dates.
Somerset County towns we serve
We work throughout Somerset County, including Bridgewater, Somerville, Franklin Township, Bernardsville, Hillsborough, Branchburg, Montgomery, Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, Raritan, Manville, Warren Township, Watchung, Green Brook, North Plainfield, Bernards Township (Basking Ridge), Bedminster, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Rocky Hill.
Have a backyard or driveway project in mind? Schedule a free estimate and we will walk the property with you.
