Essex, MA · Essex County
Stone steps and hardscaping in Essex, MA, near the water
We build stone steps and stairs for Essex homes on sloping, waterside ground, and the two Essex jobs below show how. We are George Hardscaping, based at 74 Essex Ave in Gloucester, and we have served the North Shore since 2005.
4.9 on Google from 36 reviews
Recent Essex Work
Stairs to the shore, and a drain under the steps
One Essex property fell steeply to the waterfront. The owners wanted a safe way down that kept the shoreline looking natural, so our crew chose weathered granite boulders with flat, steady tops and bedded each one into the slope. The staircase reads as part of the landscape.
Another Essex homeowner had put up with erosion for years. We designed a concealed drainage system under and beside the granite steps, and in a heavy downpour the runoff now follows the route we set.
Stone and finishes are covered on steps and brick stairs.
Google shows a 4.9 rating from 36 ratings for George Hardscaping.
74 Essex Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930
Near the Marsh
Building in Essex, close to the Great Marsh
Mass Audubon lists Essex among the towns the Great Marsh reaches. Ask the Town of Essex whether your lot needs review before any digging starts; the general rules are on Hardscaping and Masonry.
74 Essex Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930Questions
Essex hardscaping questions
Which towns does the Great Marsh reach?
Mass Audubon lists Essex, Gloucester, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich and Salisbury, and calls it the largest contiguous stretch of salt marsh north of Long Island. Ask the Town of Essex how that affects your lot.
Can plants grow between stone steps?
Yes. Our stone stairs guide suggests small planting pockets between and around the stones, filled with native plants, grasses or mosses to blend the steps into their surroundings.
Who do I ask before digging near water in Essex?
Start with the Town of Essex, and call Dig Safe at 811 before any digging. Our hardscaping and masonry page lists the notice times and the general wetlands rules.
What helps you quote a sloped Essex property?
Tell us how steep the ground is, where the water runs in a storm and how you use the slope, then send the form below or call (781) 222-0805. Photos of the slope are the most useful thing to include.
Request an Essex Estimate