Top Hardscaping Contractors in Jersey City, New Jersey Ranked

Transforming your outdoor space with stone, concrete, or wood structures requires careful planning and expert execution. Hardscaping-the non-living elements of your landscape like patios, walkways, and retaining walls-adds significant function, beauty, and value to your Jersey City property. This guide will help you understand the local considerations, material options, and processes for finding skilled professionals to bring your vision to life.

Scenic View Landscaping & Design Specialist

213 Broad St, Keyport, NJ 07735

Scenic View Landscaping & Design Specialist is a landscaping and hardscaping company based near New York, NY, offering a wide range of services including sod installation, artificial turf, landscape lighting, yard drainage, tree services, and hardscaping features like pavers and retaining walls. They provide landscape design and commercial maintenance, with capabilities such as grading and drainage solutions. The company has received multiple service awards and maintains a strong reputation for detailed and attentive work. Scenic View Landscaping & Design Specialist serves the New York, NY area and surrounding communities.

5.0

367 Reviews

Hicks Landscape Design

100 Jericho Tpke Suite 102, Westbury, NY 11590

Hicks Landscape Design is a landscape design and installation company serving New York, NY. They offer a range of services including backyard living spaces, outdoor kitchens, patios, garden paths, retaining walls, and custom pool designs. As a sixth generation family business with roots dating back to 1853, Hicks Landscape Design combines tradition with expertise to create award-winning landscapes. Their experience includes detailed planning for plantings and hardscaping elements to enhance both curb appeal and outdoor functionality.

5.0

125 Reviews

Hillsdale Landscaping & Construction

27 Legion Pl, Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Hillsdale Landscaping & Construction is a landscaping and hardscaping company based near New York, NY. They provide landscape design, yard drainage solutions, grading services, and installation of paver walkways, patios, and driveways. Their services include water management to address issues like basement water and yard puddles, as well as plantings and garden design to enhance privacy and rejuvenate properties.

5.0

103 Reviews

Masonry Pro Construction

new york

Masonry Pro Construction is a family-owned hardscaping contractor based in New York, NY, with over 35 years of experience. They specialize in designing and installing paver patios, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and various concrete and masonry projects for both residential and commercial clients. Their skilled team uses high-quality materials and tailored solutions to enhance outdoor spaces with durable and visually appealing features. Masonry Pro Construction offers comprehensive services including design, installation, repair, and maintenance, focusing on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

5.0

100 Reviews

RVG Landscape Design

114 Cannonball Rd, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442

RVG Landscape Design is a landscaping and hardscaping company serving New York, NY. They specialize in designing and building outdoor spaces, including backyard paver patios, walkways, and full outdoor living environments. Their work covers Bergen and Passaic County, including towns like Wayne, Franklin Lakes, Ridgewood, and Wyckoff. The team focuses on craftsmanship and uses high-quality materials to enhance residential properties.

5.0

86 Reviews

See more providers in Jersey City, NJ

Understanding Hardscaping in the Jersey City Climate

Jersey City's climate presents unique challenges for any outdoor construction. The freeze-thaw cycles common in Northern New Jersey can wreak havoc on improperly installed patios, walkways, and walls ¹. When water in the soil freezes, it expands, causing the ground to heave. As it thaws, the ground settles. This repeated movement can crack solid concrete slabs, shift pavers, and destabilize structures if they aren't designed and built with these forces in mind ².

Successful landscape construction here hinges on two critical factors: proper site preparation and integrated drainage. A deep, well-compacted base of gravel is essential to provide a stable foundation that resists frost heaving. Equally important is ensuring water flows away from your home and hardscape features. Given Jersey City's average annual rainfall of over 45 inches, managing surface and subsurface water is not an afterthought-it's a cornerstone of a durable installation ^{3 4}.

Popular Hardscape Materials for Durability and Style

Choosing the right materials is key to a project that looks great and lasts for years. Jersey City homeowners have several excellent options, each with its own benefits.

Concrete or Brick Pavers: A top choice for patios and walkways due to their flexibility. Individual pavers can shift slightly with ground movement without cracking, making them more forgiving in freeze-thaw conditions than solid slabs when installed correctly ¹. Premium brands like Techo-Bloc and Cambridge Pavers offer a wide range of colors, textures, and patterns.

Poured Concrete: A cost-effective and versatile option for a sleek, modern look. However, it is susceptible to cracking from frost heaving if not specially formulated (air-entrained) and paired with excellent drainage. Stamped or colored finishes can mimic more expensive materials like stone or brick.

Natural Stone/Flagstone: Offers a premium, timeless aesthetic with exceptional durability. Dense stones like bluestone or granite handle freeze-thaw cycles very well. Flagstone patios and walkways provide a unique, organic look, though material and installation costs are typically higher.

Segmental Concrete Blocks: The industry standard for building retaining walls. These interlocking blocks are engineered for strength, ease of installation, and come in various finishes to resemble natural stone. They are specifically designed to handle the lateral pressure of soil and water.

Timber: Often used for a more rustic or budget-friendly retaining wall. While treated timbers can be effective, they generally have a shorter lifespan than concrete or stone in our damp climate and are susceptible to rot over time ⁵.

Navigating Local Site and Regulatory Challenges

Jersey City's diverse terrain and regulations require careful planning before breaking ground.

Soil and Drainage Considerations: Northern New Jersey soils are varied, often consisting of glacial till, shale, sandstone, or dense clay ^{6 7}. Clay soils, in particular, expand when wet and contract when dry, which can damage hardscape bases. A professional will assess your soil and may recommend soil amendments or specific engineering solutions. Effective water management systems, such as French drains, catch basins, or the use of permeable pavers, are frequently necessary to handle heavy rain and prevent water from pooling under or around your hardscape ^{8 9}.

Erosion and Slope Management: If your property has a significant slope, erosion control becomes a priority. Retaining walls or terracing are not just aesthetic choices; they create usable flat spaces and slow water runoff, protecting your landscape ¹⁰. Be aware that building on steep slopes (often defined as a 15% grade or greater) may be restricted or require special permits and engineered plans ^{11 12}.

Frost Depth and Permits: Building codes in New Jersey require that footings for permanent structures extend below the frost line-approximately 42 inches in northern regions-to prevent shifting ¹³. Even for ground-level patios, a deep base is crucial. Most significant hardscaping projects, especially those involving retaining walls over a certain height (commonly 4 feet) or major drainage work, will require permits from Jersey City's building department. A reputable contractor will handle this process for you.

The Value of Professional Design and Installation

While DIY hardscaping might seem tempting, the complexity of local conditions makes professional expertise invaluable. A skilled contractor brings knowledge of local codes, soil mechanics, and proper construction techniques. They can create a cohesive design that integrates your patio, walkway, or wall with your home's architecture and the softscape (plants and lawn). Good design also focuses on creating functional outdoor "rooms" that enhance how you live and entertain.

Proper installation is where a project succeeds or fails. This includes:

• Excavation and Base Preparation: Digging to the correct depth and creating a layered base of compacted gravel for stability and drainage.
• Precise Grading: Ensuring a minimum 2% slope away from your home's foundation to direct water flow ³.
• Material Expertise: Knowing how to properly cut, place, and secure different materials, whether it's locking concrete blocks for a wall or setting irregular flagstone.
• Finishing Touches: Properly applying jointing sand for pavers or selecting the right sealant for natural stone.

Understanding Project Costs in Jersey City

Investment in hardscaping varies widely based on materials, site complexity, and scale. Here's a general overview of costs in the region ¹⁴:

Patios & Walkways:

• Basic poured concrete: $5 - $10 per square foot.
• Concrete or brick pavers: $10 - $25 per square foot.
• Natural stone/flagstone: $15 - $35+ per square foot.

Retaining Walls:

• Timber: $15 - $25 per square foot or linear foot.
• Segmental concrete block: $20 - $40 per square foot.
• Natural stone (dry-stack or mortared): $25 - $75 per square foot ^{15 5}.

A mid-range project, such as a medium-sized paver patio, often falls between $4,000 and $8,000. Larger, more complex projects with multiple features like an outdoor kitchen, extensive walkways, or tall retaining walls can easily exceed $15,000 ^{14 16}. It's always wise to get detailed, written estimates from several contractors that break down material, labor, and permit costs.

Planning Your Project: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Define Your Goals: How do you want to use the space? Entertaining, dining, gardening, or simply adding curb appeal?
2. Set a Budget: Be realistic about what you want to invest, including a small contingency for unforeseen issues.
3. Research and Consult: Look for local contractors with strong portfolios in the specific work you desire. Schedule consultations to discuss your ideas, get site assessments, and understand their process.
4. Review Designs and Quotes: A good contractor will provide a design sketch or plan and a detailed quote. Compare not just price, but the scope of work, materials specified, and timeline.
5. Check Credentials: Verify licenses, insurance, and ask for references from past clients with similar projects.
6. Secure Permits: Ensure your contractor will pull all necessary permits before work begins.
7. Prepare for Installation: Clear the work area and discuss access, working hours, and how debris will be removed.

Frequently asked questions

Sources