Santa Monica · Masonry Services
Natural Stonework in Santa Monica
Natural stone walls, boulder steps, dry-stack, cobblestone, and architectural stone features.
Stonework · Santa Monica
Stonework Done Right
Natural stonework for Santa Monica homes — boulder staircases on slopes, dry-stack walls, cobblestone driveways, fieldstone façades, and architectural stone features. We source real stone from California quarries and place every piece by hand.
How We Work
Every masonry project — walls, stonework, patios, or concrete — runs the same way. One crew chief from the first site walk through final cleanup.
1. Material and design
We pull samples from quarry yards — boulder, flagstone, fieldstone, cut stone — and lay out the design in your space before ordering.
2. Prep and base
Excavation, base compaction, footing or set-bed prep depending on whether the stonework is structural, decorative, or walkable.
3. Hand placement
Real stone is set piece by piece — no two stones are the same. Dry-stack, mortared, or wet-set depending on the design. Final pointing and cleanup.
When You Need Stonework
Natural stonework is the right call when:
- You want real stone, not veneer — full-thickness fieldstone and boulder work that reads as authentic from any angle.
- Hillside staircase or terraced steps — boulder stairs handle slope and weather better than poured concrete.
- Cobblestone driveway or motor court — old-world look, premium curb appeal, and decades of wear.
- Dry-stack garden wall — no mortar, planted joints, a softer look that ages with the garden.
- Architectural stone feature — entry columns, mailbox surrounds, fountain bases, fireplace cladding.
We'll walk a quarry yard with you if you want to pick the stones yourself. Call: (310) 356-9429
What Affects the Cost of Stonework
Natural stonework pricing is driven by material and labor time. Depends on:
- Stone type. Local fieldstone is cheapest; California granite and boulder are mid-range; imported limestone and travertine are premium.
- Hand-set labor. Every stone is placed individually. Larger projects take more crew-days.
- Dry-stack vs. mortared. Dry-stack is faster but only for non-structural work. Mortared takes longer and lasts longer.
- Base prep. Boulder stairs and stone walls need solid base prep and sometimes engineering.
- Site access. Stone is heavy. Difficult access (hillside, narrow gates) slows delivery and placement.
We'll quote your project flat-rate after material selection and a site walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between real stone and stone veneer?
Real stone is full-thickness and structural — fieldstone, boulder, cut block. Veneer is thin (1-2 inches) and glued to a backer. Veneer looks fine from a distance but a real-stone wall reads differently from any angle and lasts longer.
Can you do a boulder staircase on a steep slope?
Yes. Boulder stairs are the right tool for hillside lots — they shed water, handle settling, and look natural. We engineer the run and rise for code and comfort.
How long does a cobblestone driveway take?
2–6 weeks depending on square footage. Each cobble is hand-set on a compacted base with sand-swept joints. Worth the time — it lasts 50+ years.
Where do you source the stone?
California quarries and yards across LA — we have go-to suppliers for fieldstone, boulder, flagstone, and cut stone. Special-order from out of state if you want something specific.
Will it match the rest of my house?
We bring samples to the site so you see the stone in your own light, against your existing materials, before we order.
Planning masonry work in Santa Monica?
Tell us the project — wall, stonework, patio, slab — and we'll come out for a free on-site walk and design.
Or call us now: (310) 356-9429