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Why You Should Leave Masonry Repair to the Professionals

Masonry is one of the oldest forms of construction, but it’s no surprise that it’s grown a lot over the years of building. Before you attempt to repair masonry on your home, consider why it’s smarter and more cost-effective to hire a masonry professional. 

Masonry is Difficult

Masonry work is not for the faint of hard. It’s challenging physically and requires technical skills to achieve long-lasting results. It will require a lot of time and energy to research how to do a masonry project yourself, not to mention the work of actually doing it.

Masonry Can Be Dangerous 

Masonry requires standing, lifting, bending, climbing, and much more. It can become dangerous quickly. Is it really worth injuring yourself when you could hire a trained and insured masonry professional to do it for you? If you get hurt trying to do a masonry project, it could lead to time off from your job and impact your daily life.

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Cost

There’s a common misconception that DIY home projects are cheaper than hiring a professional. While that’s true for some simple jobs, it’s not for masonry jobs. Masonry materials and tools are pricey. When you consider the value of the time you’ll spend on the project, the price increases even more. 

You’ll likely make mistakes during the DIY process with masonry, adding more time and materials to the cost. If you cause any damage to your home while you work, that’s even more money! When you hire a professional, they can offer you a price estimate before any work begins. This allows you to budget and save properly without worrying about making the job cost more than it needs to with the DIY method. 

Protecting Your Home

The final and most commonly overlooked reason you should hire a masonry professional is because of your entire home, not just the masonry. A masonry professional is trained to identify other hidden issues in your home as they work. This allows them to bring anything they find to your attention and make a plan for repairs. Hopefully, nothing will be found, but finding issues in your home as quickly as possible is the key.

Contact State Stone & Masonry 

Contact State Stone to schedule your consultation for a masonry repair with one of our masonry experts. From minor repairs to new masonry constructions, we have the materials, knowledge, and equipment that will help you save in the long run!

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Things to Consider Before Hiring a Hardscape Contractor

You finally have a vision for the unused space in your backyard, and you are ready to make it a reality. Now it is time to find the right hardscape contractor to deliver the best results. It is important to research a reliable and experienced contractor that will bring your ideas to life and stay within your budget. Hiring someone inexperienced could cost you more time and money in the long run. This process does not have to be difficult; continue reading this article to learn more about things to consider before hiring a hardscape contractor. 

Positive Reputation and Reviews

In the building sector, reputation is important. Request a list of past projects and experience from a contractor before engaging them. Verify their references and check the reviews of their clients. 

When choosing a hardscape company, consider the caliber of their work, the price of their services, and the warranty they provide. And before hiring them, request documentation of their insurance and other certifications. This will help you to anticipate receiving top-notch services from them.

Hardscaping Certification

Hardscaping is a specialized industry and requires specific training of the personnel. Therefore, it is essential to hire a contractor that possesses hardscaping certifications. Avoid such contractors that do not have credentials to back up their construction methods. 

Design Process

The design is one of the most essential elements of hardscaping. You can make the most of the area you have while maintaining within your budget if you choose a solid hardscape design.

Take a look at recent and past projects of the hardscaping contractors you are choosing from. Choose the contractor with the best quality of work. A contractor that has worked with various materials and designed different projects shows you their expertise in the field.

Timeline 

Finding a hardscape contractor who will create and adhere to a schedule is vital, especially when it is based on your agreement.

Consider the time frame with the hardscape contractor before signing a contract. A late and over-budget hardscaping project is the last thing you need.

Contact State Stone & Masonry for Hardscaping and Masonry Projects

Hardscape contractors are available at every corner. But you can't choose a random contractor for your projects. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the things mentioned above before hiring a contractor for your projects. State Stone & Masonry is a reputable masonry construction company that provides hardscaping, landscape construction, and masonry work to homeowners in Wakefield and surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate! 

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The Top Reasons to Add an Outdoor Kitchen to Your Home

An outdoor kitchen is an excellent addition to your home, providing a space to entertain guests and cook meals outdoors. This space offers convenience for you and your family, but it can also be a lucrative addition to your home. According to Absolute Outdoor Kitchens, homes with outdoor kitchens can potentially see an ROI between 100% and 200%.

Here are the top five reasons to add an outdoor kitchen to your home:

Increase the value of your home.
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An outdoor kitchen can add significant value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. According to Zillow, homes with outdoor kitchens sell for nearly 30% more than expected - this is because the addition of an outdoor kitchen makes a house appear larger and more inviting.
 
The cost of installing an outdoor kitchen is not as high as you might think. To figure out the cost, you'll need to check different components and get price estimates in your region. Then decide how to build the outside kitchen you want within the price range you've set.
 
Expand your living space.
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An outdoor kitchen can give you additional space to entertain guests or enjoy the outdoors. Whether you're cooking, grilling, or baking, an outdoor kitchen can help you improve your lifestyle.
 
It's a lot easier to host parties outdoors than indoors. If you've added a kitchen island and an outdoor bar to your outdoor patio space, setting out snacks and drinks while your friends mingle on the deck or the lawn is perfect.

Enjoy the outdoors.
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Outdoor cooking allows everyone to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. It has numerous benefits, not only for your body but also for your mind.

One of the best benefits of having an outdoor kitchen is that it will help you improve your health, as well as the health of your family.

Save money
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An outdoor kitchen can save you money on your energy bills by providing an alternative to cooking at home.
Use an indoor kitchen during the summer. It will increase your electric bill because the extra heating inside requires the air conditioners to work harder to cool the house down.

Keep your home clean and the smell outside.
 
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It may be common to feel a little twinge when you think about other families tramping around your indoor space when hosting large groups. An outdoor kitchen lets you keep the mess contained outside to one area. Also, If you cook particularly smelly foods such as fish or fried items, those smells can linger for days. If you prepare the same menu outside, your house will smell fresh.
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Illuminate Your Outdoor Space with These Landscape Lighting Ideas

The proper lighting can transform your home and make it feel more inviting. Here are 5 landscape lighting ideas to help you create the perfect ambiance for your outdoor spaces.

Front Yard Lighting

The front yard is a significant part of your home. It's the first thing people see when they come to visit you, and it can make or break their impression of you as well. If you want to get the best out of this space, then here are some landscaping lighting ideas that you should consider:
 
  1. Pathway Lights
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A pathway light is a great way to illuminate an area without too much energy. They are also helpful in creating a welcoming atmosphere. You can use them to highlight a walkway or path leading from one room to another. This type of lighting is usually mounted on posts near the path's edge. These lights have a soft glow which makes them ideal for nighttime walks.
 
  1. Garden Lanterns
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Another good option for illuminating pathways and paths is garden lanterns. These lights are designed to be used outdoors and are made with weatherproof materials. They are easy to install and can last up to 10 years if properly maintained.
 
  1. Landscape Lighting Kits
If you don't have enough time to do everything yourself, why not hire someone who does? Many companies offer landscape lighting kits at affordable prices. All you need to do is choose the size of the equipment you require and leave the rest to the professionals.

Driveway Lighting
 
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When it comes to lighting your driveway, there are many options that you can choose from. The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of lighting will best suit the needs and wants of your home. You may consider installing motion-activated lights, floodlights, or even solar lights. Whatever you decide to go with, remember that these lights must be placed high above the ground so that they won't cast shadows on your driveway. Another great choice is the in-ground low voltage paver lights, a perfect way to add visibility to your driveway and outdoor paths.

Retaining Wall Lights
 
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The retaining wall lights are the best for those who want to add style and elegance to their home. The lighting fixtures come in various sizes, shapes, and colors that will fit perfectly into any environment. They can be installed anywhere on the wall, including windows, doorways, and fireplaces. Retaining wall lights are available in both indoor and outdoor versions.

Deck Lights
 
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The Deck Lights are the most critical feature of a deck. They provide the best lighting for your deck, and they must be installed correctly to ensure that you get the best performance from them. Lights should be mounted on the underside of decking boards to direct the light onto the surface below. This ensures maximum illumination while keeping the glare off of your furniture.
 
These are just some of the landscape lighting ideas you can implement in your home. As long as you know how to pick the right products and where to place them, you can create a beautiful and safe environment for you and your family.

Garage Lights
 
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The best garage lights are the ones that you can use in various ways. They should be able to illuminate your car and provide enough light for you to work on it. If you're looking for something more than this, you might want to look into LED Garage Lights. These lights are incredibly bright and powerful, but they only consume about half the electricity compared to traditional bulbs.
 
You can easily find LED Garage Light online. Just make sure that you buy one tested by independent laboratories to ensure that it meets all safety standards. You can also find them in stores such as Home Depot.

Conclusion: Landscape lights help you walk safely down a flagged path at night, give you a place to spend some time with your family after work and school, and a safe place to play. Outdoor lighting reduces crime and deters burglars. Lighting is an essential for any home, but choosing where to put lights can be difficult. Outdoor lights are a great add-on to any garden, but they can also be expensive and complicated to install.

Don't compromise on safety! It is more important having the outside space well lit rather than just looking good. It will feel a lot safer to navigate. It will give you and your family space for entertainment and relaxation.

Are you trying to decide if you should install new landscape lights yourself or hire lighting professionals?
 
There are many moving parts to designing and implementing a lighting system. If you want to ensure that the system is working correctly, contact us for help! We can help you decide which outdoor landscape lighting ideas are best suited for your space, and we can help you choose them without any hassle.
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What are excavation services? Why do I need an excavation company?

You need excavation services to make a strong foundation if you're ready to start an industrial, residential or commercial construction project. This will help the building have a robust groundwork that'll assist in preventing damages from natural disasters, including weather disturbances.

What do excavation services involve?

Excavation services involve moving earth, soil, and rocks, among other materials using specialized equipment such as bulldozers, compact hydraulic excavators, dragline excavators, front-end loaders, skid loaders, and dump trucks.
 
Excavation services help with earthworks and play a significant role in wall shafts, tunneling, and trenching. Whatever kind of construction project you have, you'll need a solid foundation in addition to quality concrete. Proper excavation will fully support your infrastructure and improve its stability and structural integrity. You don't need heavy equipment alone for appropriate excavation. The kind of equipment required will vary depending on various aspects like soil moisture, soil stability, water tables, etc. The excavation contractors will also assess and inspect the foundation area before they begin working on it.

When do property owners need excavation services?

The excavation process requires a lot of analysis and planning. This is why it should be left to professional excavation contractors with the necessary skills and experience. A single small mistake can lead to a severe disaster. Below are circumstances when property owners need professional excavation services:

1. Site preparation

Excavation services are required when preparing a construction site, especially where land clearance is needed. Excavation plays a significant role in site preparation since it helps improve drainage and prepares the soil before the construction project commences.

2. Fortifying the foundation

Before a building project starts, a huge hole is usually dug to secure a solid foundation. Whether you want to build a residential, commercial, or industrial building, this is a must if you want the property to last longer.

3. Tree removal

If you want to remove trees from your home to create a landscape, increase recreational space or eliminate unwanted trees, you need excavation services.

4. Installation/repair of underground pipes

Water pipes are typically installed underground, where excavation is required to open up the ground. Again when they start leaking, the same procedure is necessary to repair them.

5. Cleaning up underground systems

If your septic tank starts malfunctioning or your storage tank starts leaking, it can cause environmental contamination by polluting soil and water. Excavation services will help prevent this contamination.

6. Make construction sites even

If the land you're about to start your construction project isn't even, you'll need excavation services to add slope or grade the ground to improve drainage.

7. Restoring property following a disaster

Disasters like massive storms can cause structural damage and tree felling on-premises. Depending on the extent of damage, they can block your pathways and driveways. In severe cases, these disasters can bring flood damage, resulting in drainage problems and soil erosion. Excavation services will help you clean up your premises and prevent additional damage.

In conclusion, these are some circumstances when property owners need excavation services. Hiring professional excavation contractors will guarantee you quality work - they are trained, certified and will have all the required licenses to handle the work.
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