Top Hardscaping Contractors in Edina, Minnesota Ranked

Transforming your outdoor space with stone, concrete, and other permanent structures requires specialized skill, especially in Minnesota's climate. Hardscaping, which includes patios, walkways, and retaining walls, creates durable, low-maintenance living areas that enhance your property's value and usability. This guide provides essential information on materials, costs, and local considerations to help you plan your project and connect with experienced professionals in the Edina area.

Cortez Landscaping

minneapolis

Cortez Landscaping is a landscaping company based in Minneapolis, MN. They provide a range of services including sod installation, artificial turf installation, hardscaping with pavers and retaining walls, as well as hedge trimming, mulch installation, edging, and rock installations. Their portfolio showcases recent projects such as paver patios and retaining walls, highlighting their capability in both landscaping and hardscaping.

4.9

132 Reviews

Pioneer Landscaping LLC

1694 Ivory Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Pioneer Landscaping LLC is a full-service landscaping company based in St Paul, MN, offering a wide range of services including hardscaping, outdoor living spaces, sod and irrigation installation, sport court and pool installation, and year-round property maintenance for both residential and commercial clients. They serve the St Paul area along with nearby communities such as Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Stillwater, and White Bear Lake. Founded in 2020, the company emphasizes dedicated crews and specialized managers to deliver precise results and sustainable practices. Pioneer Landscaping also provides 24/7 emergency services, ensuring support through all seasons.

5.0

62 Reviews

Dean Bjorkstrand Landscaping

5508 Clinton Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Dean Bjorkstrand Landscaping is a landscaping and design company based in Minneapolis, MN, serving the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. Since 1983, the company has specialized in creating unique outdoor living spaces including patios, retaining walls, walkways, gardens, water features, and outdoor lighting. They understand the local weather and soil conditions, ensuring landscapes that remain vibrant and functional through cold winters and warm summers. Dean Bjorkstrand personally oversees each project from concept to completion, providing expert guidance and supervision throughout the process.

4.9

122 Reviews

Sota Landscaping

minneapolis

Sota Landscaping is a full-service landscaping company based in Minneapolis, MN. They provide a wide range of services including sod installation, artificial turf installation, landscape design, lawn care, hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls, and commercial property maintenance. The company also offers snow and ice management services to handle winter weather conditions. Sota Landscaping emphasizes clear communication and client satisfaction throughout each project, ensuring outdoor spaces are both beautiful and functional.

4.9

86 Reviews

Outdoor Aesthetix LLC

616 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Outdoor Aesthetix LLC is a landscape design and installation company based in St Paul, MN. They serve Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, offering services that include landscape design, yard renovations, grading, retaining walls, patios, and seasonal maintenance. Their work combines natural beauty with thoughtful design, focusing on native plants and sustainable materials to create functional and attractive outdoor spaces. The company emphasizes detailed craftsmanship and long-term client relationships.

5.0

45 Reviews

See more providers in Edina, MN

Understanding Hardscape Design and Installation

Hardscape installation is more than just placing stones; it's a construction process that must account for engineering, drainage, and local environmental factors. In Edina, a well-designed patio or wall seamlessly blends with your home's architecture while solving practical issues like erosion or uneven terrain. Professional landscape contractors approach these projects by first assessing the site's soil composition, slope, and drainage patterns. This planning phase is critical to ensure the final structure is beautiful, functional, and built to last for decades, resisting the challenges posed by Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles ^{1 2}.

The design process often involves creating a cohesive plan that integrates both "hard" (non-living) and "soft" (planting) elements. For instance, a retaining wall might be designed with built-in planting pockets, or a paver patio might be bordered by perennial gardens. This integration is key to creating an inviting outdoor room rather than a stark, standalone feature.

Popular Hardscaping Projects for Edina Homes

Edina homeowners frequently invest in specific types of hardscape features to maximize their property's potential and address common lot challenges.

Paver Patios and Walkways: These are the cornerstone of outdoor living, providing a stable surface for furniture and foot traffic. Popular designs range from intimate, secluded courtyards to expansive entertainment areas with integrated seating walls and fire pits. The choice between a simple walkway to the front door and a multi-level patio complex depends on your lifestyle and property layout ^{3 4}.

Retaining Walls: Essential for managing the slopes and elevation changes found in many Edina neighborhoods, retaining walls create usable flat spaces on hillsides. They prevent soil erosion, define different garden "rooms," and can even incorporate staircases for easy access between levels. Beyond functionality, a well-constructed stone or block wall adds significant aesthetic appeal and can be a major focal point in your landscape ⁵.

Other Common Features:

• Driveway Extensions or Walkways: Using pavers to widen an existing driveway or create a decorative path.
• Outdoor Kitchens and Fireplaces: Permanent structures that extend your home's livable space.
• Garden Edging and Borders: Low walls or paver sets that define planting beds and keep mulch in place.

Choosing the Right Materials for Minnesota's Climate

Selecting durable materials is paramount for any landscape construction project in Edina. The material must withstand extreme temperature swings, moisture, and de-icing salts.

For Patios and Paths:

• Concrete Pavers: A top choice due to their strength, variety of shapes/colors, and interlocking design that handles ground movement well. They typically cost $6-$10 per square foot for materials ^{6 7}.
• Natural Stone: Options like flagstone, bluestone, and slate offer a unique, high-end look. They are incredibly durable but often come with a higher price tag, ranging from $15 to $50 per square foot for materials ^{6 7}.
• Porcelain Pavers: A growing trend for their stain resistance, slip resistance, and modern appearance. They are highly durable against frost and chemicals ⁶.

For Retaining Walls:

• Modular Concrete Blocks: Engineered specifically for wall construction, these blocks are the go-to for structural integrity, especially for walls over 3 feet tall. They often incorporate a natural stone face for aesthetics ^{8 5}.
• Natural Boulders and Stone Blocks: Offer a rustic, timeless look. Dry-stacked boulder walls or mortared stone walls (like those using Fond du Lac stone) are beautiful but require skilled craftsmanship ^{6 9}.

Budget-Conscious Options: For pathways or informal areas, gravel or decomposed granite provides a permeable, cost-effective surface, though it requires more ongoing maintenance than solid pavers ⁶.

Navigating Edina's Specific Site Challenges

Successful hardscaping in Edina requires proactive solutions for local soil and weather conditions.

Clay Soil and Drainage: The heavy clay soil common in the Twin Cities area is impermeable, leading to water pooling. Proper hardscape installation must include extensive gravel base preparation (often 4-6 inches or more) and a minimum 2% slope away from your home's foundation to direct water flow ^{10 11}. For chronic wet areas, integrating subsurface drainage solutions like French drains or catch basins during construction is a wise investment to protect your project and your home's foundation ^{10 12}.

Frost Heaving and Deep Foundations: Minnesota's frost line can reach 42 to 60 inches deep. When the ground freezes and thaws, it can shift and lift improperly installed structures. This is why professional installers excavate deep foundations for retaining walls and build thick, compacted gravel bases for patios-far below what is needed in warmer climates-to prevent cracking and shifting ^{1 13}.

Managing Slopes: Many Edina properties have significant slopes. Terracing with multiple shorter retaining walls is often safer and more visually appealing than one tall wall. For walls over 4 feet, engineering and the use of geogrid (a synthetic mesh that reinforces the soil behind the wall) are typically required for stability ^{14 5}.

Understanding Hardscape Installation Costs

Costs for masonry and stonework vary widely based on project scope, materials, and site complexity. Labor typically accounts for 40-60% of the total project cost, with professionals charging between $50 and $100 per hour ^{7 15}.

Here's a general breakdown of what you might expect:

• Paver Patio: A typical patio project can range from $5,000 to $18,000 or more. The final cost depends on size, material (concrete pavers vs. natural stone), and any add-ons like lighting, fire features, or built-in seating ⁷.
• Walkway: A new front walkway might cost between $1,750 and $3,000, influenced by length, width, and material choice ⁷.
• Retaining Wall: Costs are highly size-dependent. A small to medium wall (30-40 feet long, about 3 feet high) may range from $3,200 to $7,000. A large, structural wall (50+ feet long, 6 feet high) can cost $7,500 to $9,000 or more. Natural stone walls are at the premium end, often costing $25 to $60+ per square foot of face ^{1 15}.

Note: All costs are approximate and based on 2025-2026 industry data. Your specific project cost will vary based on site access, exact materials, and design complexity ¹.

Long-Term Care and Maintenance

Protecting your investment ensures it remains beautiful and functional. In winter, avoid using rock salt or harsh chloride-based de-icers on pavers, as they can cause spalling (surface flaking) and discoloration. Use sand or de-icing products labeled as safe for use on natural stone and concrete ^{13 16}. Regular sweeping and occasional washing are usually sufficient for cleaning. For paver joints, topping up with polymeric sand every few years can help lock pavers in place and prevent weed growth. Inspect retaining walls annually for any signs of bulging or leaning, which could indicate drainage issues behind the wall.

Frequently asked questions

Sources