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Masonry Services in El Dorado Hills, CA

We build stone retaining walls, sitting walls, raised planters, stone steps, veneer accents, and entry pillars for homes in El Dorado Hills, Serrano, Blackstone, Folsom, and Cameron Park.

⭐ CSLB Licensed #970596  |  🧱 Block, Stone, and Mortar Work  |  🔒 Bonded & Insured

(916) 365-9552
Concrete Estimate

Our Masonry Services

Our crew handles every part of your masonry project. We do not send outside workers to your property.
The same team that meets with you does all the digging, building, and finishing.

Stone and Block Retaining Walls

A hillside without a retaining wall is always at risk. Rain soaks into the soil and makes it heavy. That weight can cause the soil to slide down the slope. A retaining wall holds the soil in place and stops this from happening.

We build retaining walls using concrete block, natural stone, or a combination of both. First, we excavate the base of the slope and pour a wide concrete footing below the frost depth. This footing anchors the bottom course of the wall so it cannot slide forward. We then stack each course of block or stone in a slightly inward angle. This batter angle presses the weight of the wall back into the hillside for added stability. We place a steel masonry reinforcing bar vertically through the hollow cores of each block and fill the cores with grout. This turns the wall into one solid structure instead of a stack of loose blocks. Behind the wall, we install a bed of pea gravel drain rock to collect groundwater. We also set corrugated perforated HDPE drain pipe at the base to carry that water safely away. This drainage system meets the requirements of California Building Code Section 1807.2 for structural masonry retaining wall drainage design.

Sitting Walls and Garden Walls

A sitting wall is a low, wide wall built around a patio, fire pit, or garden area. It gives your yard a clean structure. It also adds comfortable seating without extra furniture. Garden walls are slightly taller and are used to divide yard spaces or frame a planting area.

Both types start with the same foundation. We dig a trench and pour a concrete footing across the full length of the wall. This keeps the wall from sinking into soft ground over time. We then lay the first course of stone or block directly on the footing. We check every course for level and plumb as we build up. Each course is set in a bed of mortar so the joints are tight and waterproof. For a more natural look, we can use a dry-stack method where we fit the stones closely without mortar. We use a 4-foot mason’s torpedo level to check alignment on every course. We finish the top with a wide, smooth thermal-finish granite capstone that is comfortable to sit on and resistant to heat from the El Dorado Hills summer sun. The capstone width and height of the finished wall comply with El Dorado County residential fence and wall ordinance standards for yard structures under 3 feet.

Natural Stone Steps and Stairways

Outdoor steps connect different levels of your yard safely. If your backyard is on a slope, steps make it easy to walk from the patio down to the lawn. Without steps, a steep slope is a slip hazard, especially after rain.

We build stone steps that are safe and solid. We begin by setting a wide concrete footing at the base of the stairway run. Each step is built from the bottom up, and we embed the back of each tread into the slope as we go. This prevents the steps from kicking forward or tilting. We use natural flagstone, cut bluestone, or concrete block as the tread material depending on your design preference. We score the top surface of each tread with a 4-inch angle grinder and diamond blade to create fine parallel grooves. These grooves add grip to the stone surface and stop shoes from slipping when the steps are wet. We measure rise and run dimensions on every step using a digital pitch gauge to keep each step consistent. All tread dimensions comply with California Building Code Section 1011.5 for maximum riser height and minimum tread depth on exterior stairways.

Stone Veneer and Accent Walls

Stone veneer is a thin layer of real stone cut to fit flat against an existing surface. It is used to add the look of natural stone to outdoor walls, fireplace surrounds, pillars, and structures that are already built. The result looks exactly like full-thickness stone at a much lower cost.

We install stone veneer using a three-layer bonding method. First, we apply a layer of metal lath fastened to the surface with corrosion-resistant screws. This metal mesh gives the mortar something to grip. Next, we spread a polymer-modified scratch coat mortar across the lath with a notched trowel and let it cure for 24 hours. This scratch coat creates a rough, textured surface that locks the veneer in place. We then set each stone piece individually using a back-butter bonding mortar applied directly to the stone back and the wall face at the same time. We press each piece firmly and check for tight joints throughout. This installation method follows the requirements of California Building Code Section 2510.3 for exterior metal plaster and lath veneer assemblies. The finished surface is then sealed with a penetrating masonry water repellent to stop moisture from working behind the veneer in heavy rain.

Raised Planters and Stone Borders

A raised planter is a masonry box built above ground level to hold soil and plants. Raised planters make gardening easier because you can reach the plants without bending down to the ground. They also keep soil in place on sloped lots and separate your planting areas from the rest of the yard.

We build raised planters using concrete block, natural stone, or a combination of both. We form the walls in a rectangle or L-shape and mortar each course tightly. The inside of every planter gets a layer of non-woven geotextile filter fabric against the inner wall face. This fabric stops fine soil from washing through the mortar joints over time. We also drill 3-inch weep holes through the bottom course of the planter wall at 24-inch intervals. These holes let excess irrigation water drain out of the planter bed so roots never sit in standing water. We check the bottom course for level using a 48-inch contractor level so the finished planter sits flat on the ground. The finished height, wall drainage design, and on-site water retention meet the requirements of El Dorado County Grading Ordinance Chapter 15.12 Section 15.12.030 for on-site drainage control and retention structure design.

Stone Pillars and Entry Columns

Stone pillars make a strong first impression at the front of your property. They frame a driveway entry, support a gate, or anchor the start of a garden path. A well-built pillar adds structure and a sense of permanence to your yard.

We build pillars from the ground up with a concrete spread footing at the base. The footing is poured wider than the pillar face so it distributes the weight of the stone into the soil over a large area. We build the core of the pillar using concrete masonry units stacked and filled with grout and a central rebar post. This gives the pillar its structural strength. We then face the exterior with natural stone or brick veneer in the pattern and color you choose. We use a 6-foot builders plumb bob to keep the pillar perfectly vertical during construction. We top each pillar with a solid granite or limestone capstone cut to overhang the pillar face by two inches on all sides. This overhang sheds rainwater away from the pillar joints so the mortar stays protected. The pillar cross-section, minimum reinforcement ratio, and footing dimensions comply with California Building Code Section 2104.1 for masonry construction quality requirements and ACI 530-19 Section 7.3 for masonry column minimum dimension and vertical reinforcement ratio.

Why El Dorado Hills Homeowners Choose Progressive Landscapes for Masonry

Homeowners across El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Serrano choose us because our work holds up. Here is what makes our masonry service different from other contractors in the area:
  • We Start with the Right Footing: Every wall, planter, and pillar we build starts with a concrete footing below the clay layer. This is the most important step, and most homeowners never see it. We never skip it.
  • We Build Drainage Into Every Wall: Water trapped behind a masonry wall will push it over time. We install gravel backfill and drain pipe behind every retaining wall to release that pressure safely.
  • We Use Our Own Crew: We do not pass your project off to sub-contractors. The team that plans your job is the team that builds it. This keeps the quality consistent from start to finish.
  • We Walk You Through the Options: Block or stone. Mortar or dry-stack. We explain the difference in plain language so you can make the right choice for your budget and your yard.
  • We Are Fully Licensed and Insured: We carry a current CSLB license (No. 970596) and full general liability coverage. This protects your home and your investment from start to finish.

How We Build Your Masonry Project

Every masonry job follows the same six-step process.
We do not cut corners on any of these stages.
Step 01

Site Assessment

We visit your property and study the ground conditions, slope, and drainage patterns before we design anything. This tells us what the footing needs to look like before we ever break ground.
Step 02

Excavation and Footing Pour

We dig below the clay layer to stable subsoil. We form and pour a concrete spread footing sized for the structure above it. We let the footing cure fully before we begin building.
Step 03

Drainage Preparation

For any wall built into a slope, we lay a bed of drain rock and a perforated pipe at the base of the footing. This drainage layer is invisible once the wall is complete but it is what keeps the wall standing.
Step 04

Block or Stone Course Laying

We lay each course of block or stone in mortar, checking level and plumb on every row. We fill hollow block cores with steel rebar and grout for structural walls. We keep joint lines clean and consistent throughout.
Step 05

Capstone and Finish Work

We set the top course or capstone last. We clean mortar residue from all exposed surfaces and point any joints that need it. We apply a masonry water repellent sealer to all exposed stone and mortar faces.
Step 06

Final Walk and Cleanup

We walk the completed project with you before we leave. We haul away all debris, broken block, and excess material. We leave your yard clean and ready to enjoy.

Contact Progressive Landscapes for
Your Masonry Project

We are licensed, bonded, and insured. We serve El Dorado Hills, Serrano, Blackstone, Folsom, and Cameron Park. We respond to all estimate requests within one business day.
Progressive Landscapes 334 Green Valley Road #D El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 (916) 439-8096 CSLB License No. 970596
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Masonry

What is the difference between mortar and dry-stack masonry?
Mortar is a cement-based paste we spread between stones or blocks to bond them together. Dry-stack is a method where we fit stones together tightly without any mortar. Mortar joints are stronger and more waterproof. Dry-stack gives a more natural, rustic look. We use mortar for structural walls and retaining walls. Dry-stack works well for low garden walls and decorative borders.
How deep does the footing need to be for a stone retaining wall?
The footing needs to reach below the local frost depth and below the clay layer. In El Dorado Hills, that usually means digging 18 to 24 inches below the surface. The footing also needs to be wider than the wall face so it spreads the load across a large soil area. We always check the ground conditions before deciding the exact footing depth.
Do I need a permit for a sitting wall or raised planter in El Dorado County?
Low decorative walls and raised planters under 30 inches tall generally do not need a building permit in El Dorado County. Retaining walls taller than 4 feet, including surcharge loads, do require a permit and often a structural engineer’s signature. We review your project scope and handle all permit paperwork for projects that require it.
Can you match new masonry to my existing stone or brick?
Yes. We bring sample materials to the site visit and compare them against your existing walls, walkways, or home exterior. Natural stone and brick both have natural variation, so a perfect match is not always possible. But we can get very close in color, texture, and pattern when we take the time to select the right material before the job starts.
How do you stop a retaining wall from leaning or cracking over time?
The two main causes of retaining wall failure are a weak footing and trapped water. We solve both problems on every job. We pour a concrete footing below the clay layer. We also install a gravel drain layer and a perforated pipe at the base of the wall. This removes the water pressure that pushes walls forward over time.
What masonry materials hold up best in the El Dorado Hills climate?
Concrete block is the most durable and cost-effective material for structural walls. Natural stone like basalt, granite, and bluestone handles the hot summers and occasional frost well. Thin stone veneer is excellent for decorative surfaces because it does not absorb much water. We avoid soft sedimentary stones like sandstone in exposed outdoor applications because they erode more quickly in the foothill climate.
How long does a masonry project take to complete?
A sitting wall or raised planter typically takes two to four days. A larger retaining wall with drainage and multiple courses can take one to two weeks depending on the length and height. Stone steps for a stairway take two to three days. We give you a clear timeline before we start, and we stick to it.
What is stone veneer and is it as strong as full stone?
Stone veneer is real stone that has been cut thin, usually about one inch thick. It is bonded to an existing wall surface with mortar and a metal lath system. It is not structural. It does not hold up a wall or carry weight. What it does is cover the face of a block or concrete wall with a beautiful stone finish. For decorative purposes, it is just as durable as full stone when installed correctly with a proper bonding coat and water repellent sealer.