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Testimonials
Stone Wall Installation for New London County Homes
From modern retaining walls in East Lyme to historic-style fieldstone walls in Mystic, Excellence Masonry and Contracting provides top-tier stone masonry services throughout New London County.
A structurally sound stone wall is a masterful blend of physics and artistry. For dry-stacked walls, success depends on the careful selection and interlocking of stones, ensuring each one is placed with a minimum of three points of contact and is battered (leaned back) into the hillside for stability. For mortared walls, we focus on creating a deep, concrete footing and/or posts below the frost line to prevent heaving, and we incorporate "weep holes" to relieve the hydrostatic pressure that builds up behind the wall. These time-honored techniques ensure the walls we build are not just beautiful features but enduring structural elements of your landscape.
Why Choose Us?
There are many construction, landscaping, outdoor living, and design companies to choose from- here is what makes us different.
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Our Approach is Thorough and Integrated- no stone is left unturned, and as a design-build company, we have an unmatched ability to assess, plan, and execute projects efficiently.
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The Team We Have is Experienced and Robust- our construction team is comprised of experts who are our family, friends, as well as long-time employees and subcontractors. Our company sprouted from a family business started 25+ years ago, and some members of our crew have more than 50 years of experience.
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Industry-Leading Warranties and a Client for Life Guarantee- on new installations and applicable repairs, we provide warranties well beyond State minimums, and well beyond what most construction, landscaping, masonry, or other companies offer. Our client for life guarantee means that we intend to stand by you and our work, for the life of our business. Our goal is to provide many services and complete many projects for you and the people you know over time. With this intention, we will always be available to address issues, make repairs, or provide maintenance for completed projects- regardless of warranty terms.
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Transparency and Consistent Communication- with us, all cards are on the table from our first conversation, through the end of the project. We want to provide you with all pertinent details, considerations, and options so you are educated and completely in control of your project and your money. Throughout the project, we uphold this commitment to transparency and communication by providing daily updates and informing you of any changes or new information immediately.
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Commitment to Professional Responsibility and Top-Quality- in our view, it is our responsibility to ensure your project is done to the highest possible standard within your budget and within the parameters of feasibility. You will not feel like it is "on you" to know what's best or to manage the project when you work with us, which is a common complaint we hear from clients' past experiences. We also have a commitment to top quality, which we display in our work, our team, our industry partners, and our process.
Our Approach to Projects
Of course, every project and every situation is different, and so is our approach.. Below is a general and simplified outline of our process. We can also bid and build to your preexisting plan or design.
1.
Discovery/Consultation
We start with a conversation to understand your intent for the project, assess your property, and determine the best next step- usually a rough estimate, quote or design agreement. Rough pricing, options, and preliminary considerations are discussed. Email, call or fill the form below to get in touch!
2.
Design / Planning
The design and planning phase is where we value engineer your project- and establish the scope of work, project pricing, and our installation/construction plan. This phase will look a bit different for each project and each scenario, with some requiring more design and pre-construction work than others.
3.
Construction
This is when the proposed plan comes to life! Expect a stress-free, transparent, and efficient construction experience due to our thorough design and planning process and consistent communication. Our team respects you, your project, and your property.
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Walk-Thru & Clean-Up
After the project is completed, we will walk through the project to go over any pertinent information and maintenance information, as well as to confirm that the project is completed as expected.
FAQ's
What's the difference between a dry-laid and a mortared stone wall?
A dry-laid (or dry-stack) wall is built without mortar, relying on the careful placement and friction of the stones for stability. A mortared wall uses cement mortar to bind the stones, creating a solid, unified structure often used for retaining walls or veneers.
What kind of stone is best for a wall in Connecticut?
Connecticut fieldstone is a classic and popular choice that gives a timeless, rustic look. Other great options include granite for its strength and durability, and various types of bluestone or flat stone for more formal, contemporary walls.
How long does it take to build a stone wall?
The timeline depends entirely on the wall's length, height, style (dry-laid vs. mortared), and site accessibility. A small decorative wall might take a few days, while a large, structural retaining wall could take a week or more.
Does a retaining wall need a permit?
Often, yes. Most towns in Connecticut require a building permit for retaining walls over a certain height (typically 3 to 4 feet). We always recommend verifying with your local building department before starting a retaining wall project.
How do you ensure a stone wall won't fall over?
The key is a proper foundation. Every wall we build starts with an excavated trench filled with a compacted gravel base below the frost line. For retaining walls, we also incorporate proper drainage systems to relieve hydrostatic pressure.
What kind of stone is best for a wall in Connecticut?
Connecticut fieldstone is a classic and popular choice that gives a timeless, rustic look. Other great options include granite for its strength and durability, and various types of bluestone or flat stone for more formal, contemporary walls.
How do you ensure a stone wall won't fall over?
The key is a proper foundation. Every wall we build starts with an excavated trench filled with a compacted gravel base below the frost line. For retaining walls, we also incorporate proper drainage systems to relieve hydrostatic pressure.
How long does it take to build a stone wall?
The timeline depends entirely on the wall's length, height, style (dry-laid vs. mortared), and site accessibility. A small decorative wall might take a few days, while a large, structural retaining wall could take a week or more.
Does a retaining wall need a permit?
Often, yes. Most towns in Connecticut require a building permit for retaining walls over a certain height (typically 3 to 4 feet). We always recommend verifying with your local building department before starting a retaining wall project.
What's the difference between a dry-laid and a mortared stone wall?
A dry-laid (or dry-stack) wall is built without mortar, relying on the careful placement and friction of the stones for stability. A mortared wall uses cement mortar to bind the stones, creating a solid, unified structure often used for retaining walls or veneers.