Serving Conway, AR and surrounding areas. (501) 273-0789
Stone that shifts, sinks, or cracks within a few years was built on the wrong base. We engineer every project for Conway clay soil - proper footings, drainage prep, and mortar matched to your stone type.
Stone masonry in Conway means building or repairing structures using natural or manufactured stone - retaining walls, steps, patios, garden borders, and chimney rebuilds - with most residential projects taking one to five days on-site depending on scope and site conditions.
Natural stone is one of the most durable building materials available. A properly built stone wall or patio can last 50 to 100 years with nothing more than periodic mortar maintenance. The challenge specific to Conway is that Faulkner County's clay-heavy soil shifts with every wet spring and dry summer, and any stone structure that is not built on a properly prepared base will crack and move along with it. That means deeper footings, compacted gravel drainage layers, and mortar selected to match the hardness of the stone being used - choices that protect both the structure and the individual stones from moisture damage. If your project involves an existing masonry surface that needs updating rather than a full new build, our stone veneer installation service may be a better fit.
We handle the full scope: site assessment, permit coordination where required, base preparation, stonework, and a final walkthrough before any payment is due. No surprises added after the fact.
If a stone retaining wall on your property is visibly tilting forward or you can see gaps opening between stones that used to sit flush, the structure is under stress and getting worse. In Conway, this typically happens because the clay soil behind the wall has been pushing against it through repeated wet and dry cycles. A leaning wall can fail suddenly, and rebuilding a collapsed wall costs far more than repairing one that is just starting to move.
Run your finger along the joints between stones on a chimney, front steps, or any exterior stonework. If the mortar crumbles away or you can see gaps, water is getting in. Conway's freeze-thaw cycles in winter - even though they are milder than further north - are enough to widen those gaps year after year. Water inside a stone structure causes damage that accelerates quickly once it starts.
If stones on a patio or path have shifted so that edges stick up or the surface dips in spots, the base underneath has likely settled or eroded. In Conway's clay soil, this often means the original base was not deep enough to handle seasonal ground movement. This is a tripping hazard and a sign the problem will continue until the base is properly rebuilt.
Conway receives around 52 inches of rain per year, and poor drainage is one of the most common contributors to foundation problems in this area. If water sits against your foundation or flows toward the house after a heavy rain, a stone retaining structure or graded drainage border may redirect it before it causes bigger damage. A mason can assess whether a stone solution fits your specific situation.
We work on the full range of residential stone masonry projects - new retaining walls, patios and walkways, front steps, garden borders, chimney stone repairs, and matching work on older homes with existing stonework that needs extension or repair. Every project begins with an on-site visit where we assess the ground conditions, discuss drainage requirements, and talk through material options that fit your budget and aesthetic. For homeowners who want the look of stone without the full weight and cost of natural stone construction, we also offer stone veneer installation as a distinct service suited to vertical surfaces like home exteriors, fireplace surrounds, and feature walls.
Older Conway homes - particularly those in the College Avenue and Oak Street neighborhoods - often have original stonework that is no longer in production. Matching that material in color, texture, and mortar composition takes more effort than a standard new build, and it is a different skill set than general masonry. If you have an existing stone chimney, foundation veneer, or set of steps that need repair without looking obviously patched, we source materials before the job starts and show you samples. We also coordinate closely with our brick pointing team when a project involves both stone and brick sections that need mortar repair at the same time.
For homeowners on sloped lots who need to hold soil in place, manage drainage, or create level terraces in their yard.
For homeowners who want a permanent outdoor surface that handles Conway's climate without the maintenance of wood decking or stamped concrete.
For homeowners replacing crumbling concrete steps or adding a stone entry feature that complements the exterior of their home.
For homeowners with existing stonework on older homes who need repairs or extensions that blend with what is already there.
Much of Faulkner County sits on expansive clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. That cycle repeats every year - sometimes multiple times in a single season - and it puts more stress on stone structures than most homeowners realize. A retaining wall built on a well-prepared footing with proper drainage gravel behind it handles that movement without cracking. One built on a shallow footing with no drainage path starts to lean within a few years, and by the time the lean is obvious, the repair cost has multiplied. Conway's building permit process for structural masonry actually helps here - a city inspector reviews the work before the job is closed out, giving you documentation that the structure meets local standards. That record matters both for your insurance coverage and when you eventually sell the home.
Conway's older neighborhoods near downtown and the university campuses have homes with original stone chimneys, foundation veneers, and front steps that are now 40 to 70 years old - right in the range where mortar joints need attention and loose stones start appearing. Homeowners in Vilonia and Cabot in Lonoke County face similar soil challenges and housing stock in that age range, and we serve both areas. Getting a mason's eyes on older stonework before obvious problems appear is almost always cheaper than waiting until water has been working its way in for a season or two.
Describe what you are seeing or what you want to build. We reply within one business day and schedule a free on-site visit - you do not need to have everything figured out before the call.
We visit your property, look at the ground conditions and drainage, discuss your goals, and give you a written estimate that breaks out materials and labor separately. We also flag whether your project requires a permit - and handle that process for you.
Once you approve the estimate, we schedule a start date. Spring and fall book fast in Conway, so allow a few extra weeks during peak seasons. Before the crew arrives, clear the work area of furniture, planters, and vehicles.
We dig footings, add compacted gravel, and set any drainage provisions before the first stone goes in. The stone is then laid course by course with level and plumb checks throughout. We clean the site at the end of each day and do a thorough final cleanup when the job is done.
Free on-site estimate. Written quote before any work begins. No obligation to move forward.
(501) 273-0789Every stone project we build in Faulkner County starts with base prep designed for expansive clay - deeper footings, compacted gravel drainage, and mortar matched to the stone type. That preparation is why our walls stay straight through Conway's wet winters and dry summers.
We handle the City of Conway and Faulkner County permit process from application to inspection. You do not need to make a single call to the building department. The permit cost is included in your written estimate, and the inspection record protects your investment and your insurance coverage.
Homes near the University of Central Arkansas campus and in Conway's established downtown neighborhoods often have original stonework that requires careful matching. We source comparable materials before the job starts and show you samples - so the repair blends in rather than standing out.
Membership in the Mason Contractors Association of America signals a commitment to craft standards and ongoing education in the trade. In Arkansas, where masonry contractor licensing requirements vary by project size, professional association membership is one of the clearest ways to distinguish serious operators from less qualified ones.
We have been working on stone structures across Conway and the surrounding area long enough to know that the base preparation is what separates a wall that holds for decades from one that needs rebuilding in five years. Every job we take gets that same level of attention, whether it is a modest garden border or a full retaining wall on a sloped lot.
Deteriorating mortar joints between bricks or stone repaired with fresh mortar - stopping water infiltration before it causes damage to the wall or the structure behind it.
Learn MoreManufactured or natural stone panels applied to home exteriors, fireplace surrounds, or accent walls for the look of stone without the full weight or cost of solid stone construction.
Learn MoreSpring and fall booking slots fill quickly - reach out now to lock in your project date before the season gets away from you.
