Laying the foundation
Before any outdoor project, like walkways, patios, retaining walls, drainage systems, or any exterior construction, can be built to last, it is critical to prepare the ground properly. General Masonry provides site preparation, excavation, drainage, and grading services for homeowners, builders, property owners, and select small commercial projects in Waterbury and surrounding towns.
Dealing with washed-out slopes or wet backyards? Are you ready to build a new patio or retaining wall, or to prepare an exterior area for a new build? We help create the base, grade, and drainage conditions your project needs before the work begins.
Groundwork for a lasting project
The final product is only as strong as the ground beneath it. Proper excavation, compaction, bases, grading, and water control prevent common issues that lead to early failure.
Settling
Poor upfront preparation causes settling over time, ruining a once-solid build.
Grading
Without proper grading, you risk water entering and sitting in areas that can cause long-term damage.
Retaining Walls
Built to hold and redirect soil and water, retaining walls require proper excavation, backfill, and drainage.
New Builds
Workable grades and stable access are key when diving into new builds or exterior improvements.
Drainage
Drainage issues over time can ruin landscaping and hardscaping work. Proper drainage significantly extends the project’s lifespan.
excavation services
Excavation Services
Excavation services can be very specific depending on exactly what you’re looking for. Homeowners, builders, and property owners should understand what excavation services cover to determine whether they fit their needs.
- Patio and walkway excavation
- Retaining wall excavation
- Material removal
- Trench excavation for drainage
- Gravel base preparation
- Soil removal and back fill
- Prep for outdoor living areas
- Access and grading improvements
Drainage Improvements
Without proper drainage, properties and projects are at risk of damage from repeated exposure. Especially in Connecticut, where our climate is subject to freeze-thaw cycles, water becomes one of the most dangerous factors in construction.
- Yard drainage corrections
- Water pooling in lawn areas
- Downspout runoff management
- Drainage stone installation
- Retaining wall drainage
- Patio and walkway drainage
- Slope and washout control
- Regrading to move water away from problem areas
Site Preparation
Before laying a single paver or pouring a yard of concrete, a proper base and grade are a must. Without the rough and finished grading and gravel base, your project is already set up for failure. It can’t be stressed enough that what’s underneath your project is just as, if not more important than, what you’re building.
- Preparing areas for patios, walls, walks, and entrances
- New build exterior prep
- Rough grading and finish prep-grading
- Gravel base installation
- Stone pad or base prep
- Driveway edge or access improvements
- Clean-out and removal of failed material
- Property improvement prep
homeowners: Fix wet, uneven, or hard-to-use areas
General Masonry started by heavily focusing on residential projects of any scale. Helping homeowners overcome their landscaping and masonry challenges through site prep, drainage, and grading is a part of almost every single project we take on. Water sitting where it shouldn’t, uneven ground that’s too unstable to build on, or soil washing away are issues we can help homeowners correct. We want your space to be usable, stable, and ready for other outdoor projects.
Wet or Soggy Yard Areas
Connecticut isn’t exactly known for year-round sun and dry weather. Homeowners must deal with the reality of dealing with rain and storms. Low spots, poor pitch, downspout runoff and pool are only a few of the problems a homeowner may face when it comes to maintaining a dry and mud-free yard.
Patio, Walkway, and Outdoor Living Prep
Before installing any walkway, patio, or pool deck material, a solid foundation is necessary. Excavating to the proper depth, compacting, and choosing the right material are crucial in our installation process.
Retaining Wall Prep and Drainage
Retaining walls are built to hold soil and redirect water runoff, but without proper preparation, you’re risking losing all the benefits of building one in the first place. A trench has to be dug to the right depth and width to account for base and backfill material. Compaction is key to making everything stable and water-tight.
Drive Edge and Washout Repairs
It’s common for soil and other debris to wash onto your driveway after a heavy rain. It’s a pain to clean only to have it repeat during the next rain. Our team can help build the edges up and redirect water to avoid further damage and cleanup.
Next Steps
Have wet, uneven, or washed-out areas? Send us pictures so we can determine what type of excavation, drainage, and site prep you need!
site support for builders, contractors, and property owners
General Masonry also provides focused excavation, drainage, grading, and site preparation for builders, contractors, and property owners. We’re a great fit for exterior site work projects that require a capable, hands-on crew without the need for a large-scale excavation company.
Builders and New Construction
There are many factors to consider for new construction. Grading, exterior drainage, base prep, retaining wall trenches, walkway, patio, and entrance prep are all the tip of the iceberg when planning for a new construction project. We spend time to understand exactly what your project needs, and we execute while paying close attention to detail.
Light Commercial and Managed Properties
Our team is experienced in handling a variety of indoor and outdoor projects that address drainage and grading issues for property owners of all types. We have direct experience with churches, nature preserves, multi-family and condominium complexes, and various medical offices.
We’re the Right Size for Your Site Prep Project
Not every project requires a large civil contractor. Some projects are better suited to a focused, responsive team that can handle drainage, grading, base prep, and masonry-related site work without turning your area into a full-scale development project.
Next Steps
Are you a builder, contractor, property manager, or business owner looking for site prep support? Contact General Masonry to discuss the scope.
Common projects we can help with
Patio and Walkway Excavation
Retaining Wall Excavation and Drainage Prep
Yard Drainage and Low Spot Correction
New Build Exterior Site Prep
Small Commercial Drainage and Grading Improvements
Driveway Edge and Slope Washout
Gravel Base, Back Fill, and Material Replacement
Failed Hardscape and Old Material Removal
our excavation and site prep process
01
Site Review
Our initial review of the project site involves examining photos, assessing water flow, grades, soil, and establishing a project goal. In this step, we make sure to understand every detail of your site, so we can get the best idea of how to tackle the project.
02
Planning
Before an ounce of dirt is moved, we plan exactly what needs to be excavated, drained, regraded, removed, or prepared.
03
Excavation, Drainage, and Base Prep
Here is where the project starts to take shape. Digging, material removal, base prep, grading, compaction, backfilling, and the list goes on to make sure your site is ready for whatever step comes next.
04
Ready for the Next Phase
The area is prepared for anything. Whether it was a small water redirect project or preparing for something major, such as a masonry installation, exterior construction, or property improvement.
Areas we serve
- Watertown
- Woodbury
- Southbury
- Middlebury
- Litchfield
- Morris
- Bethleham
- Thomaston
- Prospect
- Cheshire
- West Hartford
- Oxford
Don’t see your area? Contact us to see if we service your specific area today!
FAQ
Do you only work with homeowners?
No. Although most of our work is residential, we also take on select projects with property owners, builders, and light commercial site preparation when the scope is a good fit.
Do you handle full scale commercial site development?
We focus on smaller-scale work such as drainage, grading, retaining wall excavation, hardscape prep, exterior improvements, or masonry-related excavation. Civil or full site development projects may require a larger excavation contractor.
Can you help with drainage before installing a patio or retaining wall?
Yes! This is one of our strong suits. We handle most drainage projects, whether you plan on adding a masonry project or not.
Can you fix water pooling in my yard?
We assess grade, runoff, and soil conditions to identify possible drainage solutions.
What information should I send in for my estimate?
As much information as possible helps us best. Include photos, address/town, description, water flow after rain, project goals, access, and project timeline.
Contact
The next step is to reach out to begin your commitment-free assessment! Include as much information as possible, and we’ll contact you with a follow-up within 24 hours!