Bernards Township is a suburban township in the Somerset Hills made up of several villages: Basking Ridge with its historic center, Liberty Corner, and Lyons near the train line. Away from the old village streets, most neighborhoods were built from the 1960s onward and are filled with center hall colonials and split levels on wooded half acre and acre lots. The ground rolls, some yards climb toward tree lines, and many original builder grade steps and walks are now due for replacement.
Front entries on colonial homes
The front of a typical Basking Ridge colonial is formal: a centered door, a brick stoop, a straight walk to the driveway. Over the years the stoop settles, the brick face loosens and the original concrete walk cracks into slabs that heave in winter. We rebuild front steps on new footings and face them in brick or stone with bluestone or light stone treads that suit the house.
Walkways that connect the yard
A lot of homes here were built with one walk to the front door and nothing else. Owners now want a path from the driveway around to the back, a side entrance that is not muddy, and a landing outside the kitchen door. Paver and bluestone walkways and patios tie those pieces together, with soldier course borders that hold the edges straight.
Sloped, wooded backyards
Backyards that rise toward the woods take some thought. Tree roots, shade and runoff from the slope all affect how a patio performs. We often pair the patio with a short retaining wall or seat wall, set drainage stone behind it, and keep excavation clear of the root zones of trees you want to keep. A fire pit at the edge of the patio is a popular finishing touch.
Planning notes for Bernards Township
- Lot coverage. Larger patios and driveway widening can count toward impervious coverage limits.
- Trees. Removal of mature trees may need township review, so tell us early which ones are in the way.
- Basements. If water already gets in, fix grading and downspouts before adding hardscape near the foundation.
Bernards Township sits next to Bernardsville, Warren Township and Bedminster, all part of our Somerset County service area. To get started, request a free estimate and we will come measure and talk through options.
