Sticks and Stones

Morning Sailors on Lake James

Larry & Charlene like the flagstone patio, walk and stairs we installed last year so much that Larry tore off the second level wood deck and we designed another flagstone patio with  a seating wall and bench.
The old concrete stoop was linked to the patio with snap cut stairs.  Bill and Doug should wrap this one mid next week.  It is going to be sharp.

So much is going on, we are still busy and we have not hit our fall rush yet.  Since we are located in a seasonal resort area many of our customers want any major disruptive work to wait until after they close up their cottages which is around Labor Day.  Additionally builders are pushing now to get in foundations, framing and roofs on any new builds to sustain them with interior work over the winter.  Customers are never happy with snow in a new home. 

Unloading cut bluestone slabs

We are working on Lake James building free stacked glacial retaining walls,  installing drainage tiles, seawall renovation, constructing a stoop, installing a yard and snap cut staircase all before the house is even built.  We are working strictly on the lakeside of the property with our only reference being the stamped concrete pour for the porches.  Once the house is actually up access to the lakeside will be severely restricted on the steep grade.

Large bluestone accents on bottom and smaller bluestone accents on top terrace

We are trying something different with these glacial walls, inserting a bluestone in a pattern on both the
terraces.  The stone matches the steps and porches.

Out on Clear Lake Gary and Cody have been busy this week constructing the fence and arbor that we pre-cut and painted at the shop, actually the customer painted it at our location.  The bluestone slabs that Jon cut will be laid to form a path through the new garden.  We are switching to the east side of the house now adding snap cut steps to the hill and a small retaining wall where we will be planting a specimen evergreen.  This job too should wrap next week.

Jon cutting bluestone slabs

The big Allan Block job on Lake James should also conclude this coming week. We installed soil ahead of Chuck's Concrete (they are poured the drive & walk) we will be boxed out of using any equipment to finish our work due to the tight lot line.  The landscape design of this job reflects the busy lifestyle of the homeowners with easy care plants, stone and weed barrier top dressing and small but functional beds.