Services
We design hardscaping and outdoor structures across northern Virginia.The built features work in service of the landscape, and they are scaled to fit the property they sit on.
Round Hill ยท Loudoun County, Virginia
About this service
Hardscaping
Hardscaping covers the built elements of the outdoor environment: patios, fire pits, fire features, pools, water features, retaining walls, stone paths, and the other structures that shape how a property is used. Peter Howe Design designs and builds these features as part of a unified landscape plan, so that they belong to the property rather than reading as additions placed onto it.
When hardscaping is designed in coordination with the planting plan and the irrigation system, the result is a property that functions as one whole. The scale of the built features is appropriate to the site, the drainage works, and the plantings and structures support each other instead of competing for space and attention.
What we offer
Patio design and construction
We design and build outdoor patios in stone, pavers, brick, or other materials that suit the property. The patio is sized and positioned to complement the architecture and the rest of the landscape plan.
Fire pit and fire feature design
We design and build fire pits, built-in fire features, and outdoor fireplaces. Each one is positioned and scaled for the space, and it ties into the surrounding patio and planting areas.
Pool surrounds and water features
We design and build coping, decking, and surround areas for pools, along with stand-alone water features such as ponds, streams, and fountains. Each one is treated as part of the broader landscape plan.
Retaining walls and grade changes
We design structural retaining walls and grade modification work for properties with slopes, drainage challenges, or level changes. The result is built for structural integrity and an appropriate visual scale.
Stone and masonry work
We build dry-stacked stone walls, mortared masonry features, stone pathways, steps, and borders. Material and method are chosen based on the site context and the design intent rather than a default preference.
Coordination with grading and drainage
Every hardscaping project includes drainage as part of the design. We develop the grade and the drainage plan together to move water away from the structures and the plantings.
We design built features in service of the landscape
Hardscaping fails when it is designed independently of the landscape. A patio that is too large for the yard, a wall that sits at the wrong scale relative to the property, or stonework chosen without regard for the house and the planting all make the overall property feel disconnected. We design built features that fit the landscape they belong to.
Scale, material selection, and proportion relative to the property and its surroundings sit at the center of every hardscaping project we take on. The built elements should feel like they belong on the site, and that requires designing them as part of the whole from the beginning.
Start a conversationWhere we work
Northern Virginia hardscaping
We design and build hardscaping features for properties across Loudoun County, Clarke County, and Frederick County, Virginia. Our base in Round Hill gives us efficient access to the full range of communities and rural properties we serve throughout the region.
Our service area includes Leesburg, Purcellville, Hamilton, Lovettsville, Hillsboro, Bluemont, Waterford, Berryville, Boyce, White Post, Winchester, Stephens City, Middletown, and Clearbrook, along with surrounding rural and residential properties. Share your address through the contact form if you are unsure whether your property falls within our current service area.
Service areas
- Loudoun County: Leesburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, Hamilton, Lovettsville, Hillsboro, Bluemont, Waterford
- Clarke County: Berryville, Boyce, White Post, Millwood
- Frederick County: Winchester, Stephens City, Middletown, Clearbrook
City-specific pages
Common questions
Hardscaping questions
How much does hardscaping cost in northern Virginia?
Hardscaping costs depend on the scope of the project, the materials selected, the site conditions such as slope and drainage, and whether grading or permitting is required. A simple patio installation and a full outdoor living area with retaining walls and water features sit at very different price points. Contact us to describe your project, and we will give you an honest estimate.
How long does a patio or outdoor structure project take?
Most residential patio and outdoor structure projects run from two to six weeks for construction, depending on the scope and the complexity. Projects that require permitting, significant grading, or coordination with planting and irrigation work may take longer. We give you a realistic timeline before work begins.
What materials do you work with for patios and walls?
We work with natural stone, cut stone, concrete pavers, brick, and both dry-stacked and mortared masonry. The choice depends on the look the client wants and what is appropriate for the site. Material selection is part of the design conversation, and it takes into account the property surroundings, the structure of the house, and long-term maintenance considerations.
Do you handle permits, grading, and drainage as part of a hardscaping project?
Yes. We coordinate permitting where it is required, and we address grading and drainage as part of the overall project scope. Hardscaping that does not account for drainage will cause problems over time, so we treat drainage as a design consideration from the start.
Can hardscaping be added to a landscape that is already established?
Yes. We regularly add patios, walls, and other features to properties with existing plantings, irrigation, and mature trees. The design process evaluates what can be worked around and what needs to be relocated, and we minimize disruption to healthy existing landscape elements wherever possible.
Get started
Talk with us about your property
Use the contact form to share your address, the type of property, and your goals for the hardscaping. We will follow up to discuss next steps and to confirm whether your property is within our current service area. Would you like to start that conversation today?