Stone is everywhere in Farmington's better-looking homes -- fireplace surrounds, entry columns, and low retaining walls that hold back a graded yard. JH Construction sets natural stone and manufactured stone veneer for exactly this kind of work: stacked stone fireplaces, columns flanking a front door, accent walls, and retaining walls with a proper cap.
Masonry work in a high desert climate like Farmington's has its own considerations -- mortar dries faster here than in a humid climate, which means the work has to move at the right pace so joints don't set up before the stone is properly placed and struck.
When stonework makes sense
- A plain drywall or drywall-and-tile fireplace surround you want upgraded to stone
- Bare porch columns or an entryway that could use stone accent
- A sloped yard that needs a retaining wall
- Existing stonework that's cracked, loose, or needs repair
How a stonework project goes
- Design walkthrough -- natural stone or veneer, stone style, and layout.
- Substrate prep -- lath and scratch coat for veneer, or footing work for a retaining wall.
- Setting stone -- placed and mortared course by course, managing cure time in our dry climate.
- Pointing & cleanup -- joints struck and cleaned for a finished look.
- Cap & final details -- cap stones on walls or columns, final walkthrough with you.
What affects the price of stonework
- Natural stone versus manufactured veneer
- Square footage of wall, column, or surround being covered
- Retaining wall height and footing requirements
- Site access and how much prep work the surface needs
Call (505) 482-4372 and describe what you want covered -- we'll come take a look.
Stonework and masonry are available in Farmington, Kirtland, Aztec, and Bloomfield.
Stonework & masonry questions
What kind of stonework do you do?
Stacked and stone-veneer work -- fireplace surrounds, entry columns, exterior accent walls, and retaining walls -- using natural stone and manufactured stone veneer.
Natural stone or manufactured stone veneer -- which is better?
Natural stone has more character and is heavier and more expensive; manufactured veneer is lighter, faster to install, and more budget-friendly while still holding up well. We can talk through both for your project.
Can you build a stone retaining wall?
Yes -- we've built stacked stone retaining walls with cap stones as part of larger landscape and hardscape projects.
Does dry desert weather affect how stonework is installed?
Yes -- mortar cures faster in Farmington's low humidity than it would in a wetter climate, so we manage working time and keep the mortar workable rather than letting it set up before it's placed correctly.
Can you add a stone accent to an existing fireplace or entry?
Yes -- we take on stone veneer additions to existing fireplaces, columns, or exterior walls, not just new builds.
Want a stone fireplace, column, or wall?
Call and tell us what you're picturing -- we'll walk you through options.