Branchburg is a suburban township on the western side of Somerset County, where the North Branch and South Branch of the Raritan River come together. Much of it was farmland not long ago, and most neighborhoods today are subdivisions built from the 1970s into the 2000s: colonials and contemporaries on lots of half an acre or more, with two car garages and wide driveways. Preserved fields and stream corridors run between the developments. That combination of big, fairly flat yards and heavy, slow draining soil drives most of the work we see here.
Driveways with room to do more
Builder asphalt driveways in Branchburg are reaching the end of their life, and their size makes them the single biggest surface on the lot. Replacing one is a chance to change the look of the whole house. We install paver driveways on a deep compacted base with solid edge restraint, so they carry vehicles without rutting. If pavers are more than you want to spend, new concrete or asphalt with a paver apron or border is a good middle ground. Pavers cost more up front than plain asphalt but can be lifted and relaid in sections.
Patios on clay soil
Many Branchburg backyards are flat lawns that hold water after a storm. A patio built on a thin base over that kind of soil heaves and dips within a few winters. We excavate deeper, separate the soil from the stone with fabric and pitch every patio so runoff goes somewhere useful. Layouts here tend to be generous: a dining area off the kitchen, a separate seating circle, and a walkway that links them to the driveway.
Fronts of houses that need refreshing
Original concrete stoops and walks on 1980s and 1990s homes are often cracked, sunken or just plain. Replacing them with stone faced steps, bluestone treads and a paver walk is one of the most noticeable upgrades for the money.
Things to know in Branchburg
- Stream corridors. Lots near the river branches or smaller streams may have buffer rules that limit new hardscape.
- HOA review. Some subdivisions want to approve driveway and patio materials.
- Township permits. The building department sets what needs a permit, and we confirm it before we start.
Branchburg borders Bridgewater, Hillsborough and Somerville. We cover all of Somerset County. Ask for a free estimate and we will measure the driveway or yard and go over materials with you.
