Get matched with top retaining wall installation pros in Potomac, MD

"We spent dozens and dozens of hours researching contractors. Save yourself a lot of time, meet with Cleber and CJ, and hire XtraCare. We have done a few renovations - interior and exterior - and this was by far our easiest, most hands-off project with the most stunning results. We worked with a landscape designer to design our backyard. She recommended XtraCare because the work, which required leveling a very steep and large backyard, was complex and because she had experience working with them in the past. I met with three contractors; the proposal from Cleber/XtraCare and my other top tier contractor were nearly the same which said to me that the proposal was the market rate. (My third proposal came from what I called my “cowboy” who was a one-man shop, working out of his truck and often hard to track down. His proposal was lower but I would have to manage everything if I went with him.). Based on my conversations with Cleber, I realized XtraCare would take care of everything, with little oversight and a priority on communication. This is exactly what we got. The excellent service started even before we signed the contract. The proposal was itemized and easy to follow and Cleber made himself available to speak about the proposal and my questions on a number of occasions. He also came to my home three times to ensure he got everything right in the proposal because again, this was a complicated projects with multiple retaining walls, over 50+ tons (yes, tons) of boulder, multiple walkways, and lots and lots of block and soil. Looking back, everything that Cleber anticipated was right. For example, he anticipated that our deck posts would need replacing so he was able to quote us that replacement on the proposal, with no charge until we know exactly what we were working with. Likewise, if he gets the poundage of boulders wrong, your account will be created which eased my mind (I thought 50 tons of boulders was crazy; I was wrong. We used 52). That sort of experience with drafting proposals is mutually beneficial as there were no surprises and I could anticipate how much this would cost at the end. After we signed, Mari was such a pleasure to work with. She handled our DC RiverSmart permeable paver application and refund, in addition to finalizing colors of the patio and walkways. When I was on the fence about colors, she worked with Angela to create a three color design between patio, borders and walls that added texture and interest to the landscape. Our project started in August 2020 which was easily one of the rainiest months I can remember. Like these things go, surprises always happen but we were prepared. Upon excavation under the deck, we uncovered 9 rotting deck posts (installed incorrectly by a previous owner and national deck building company!) but Cleber already anticipated this. The rain slowed the project down but the guys worked as much as they could with the weather, and even when they couldn’t work “on” the project, they were thinking about how to move it forward by bringing material on rainy days. Overall, XtraCare built about 7 retaining walls of different sizes including a beautiful curved one that requires DCRA inspection, five different walkways, two patio areas, five stair cases connecting various areas, and a permeable paver driveway. They laid out 52 tons of boulders to create two organic-looking retaining walls, laid out five pallets of sod, and cut and mulched a number of flower beds in this space. Our foreman Markus was really great, experienced, attentive to detail, and unafraid to ask me questions. CJ the project manager texted, called or stopped by nearly every day to manage the project and my expectations. Everyday, the crew left the place neat and tidy and every day, they worked their tails off and made progress on the project. Lastly, I didn’t feel nickeled and dimes the entire time like I have with previous renovations. XtraCare is focused on getting things right and making things look good, instead of opportunities for constant change orders like other contractors seem to do. In the end, the project took nearly three full months and was well worth the wait. It is stunning! We would recommend XtraCare in a heartbeat to anyone."

"The contractor and crew did a fabulous job of installing a permeable paved driveway and retaining wall. They were respectful of me, my time and property. They kept me updated and explained each phase of the project. I’m very very pleased with the company and the completed project. I highly recommend this company and would definitely use them again."

"Great drawings and very professional. I’m putting this project on hold until the fall. It appears there’s other items on the foundation wall that needs to be taken care of before the landscaping company can do their job"

"The project went very well. It was completed on time and within budget as designed. Our new retaining wall is beautiful and will keep our landscaping maintained for many years to come!"

"Talk about a wonderful job! This company built 2 sitting walls in on my patio! They are perfect! Such a great company. Will definitely hire again and again!!! Thank you Thank you!"

"Mike and his crew at DC Patio did an excellent job replacing and expanding our patio and related work. During the bidding phase, Mike took the time to answer all our questions and provide a fair and accurate contract. As work was completed, Mike was on site every day and in contact with us daily to report progress as well as to answer questions. The new flagstone patio and retaining wall they built came out wonderfully. We highly recommend DC Patio."

"They were amazing. I mean it really looks good. I think that if I paid less, it might not have looked quite as good. They were really professionals that knew what they were doing. The way they did the retaining wall just looks really really nice. I would give them higher than an A in some way. They were so nice. There were so many of them, and they worked so fast. They were experts. The salesman was also excellent because he took into part what I was trying to convey, and he designed it. He kept showing me, and we kept sort of tweaking it. You want that. They were punctual. They were scheduled for a week or so later, and I called and asked if they could come earlier because they had an opening in their schedule. They like to keep their crews working constantly, and I had really wanted it done as soon as possible. So I agreed. They came and they were right on time. They worked very hard. They always cleaned up after themselves. I mean so many leave a mess or leave a part of it undone. Plus, it just exceeded my expectations of how it looked in the end."

"Eddie Lovius & Fortune Stoneworks proved skilled, responsive, and prompt in doing several masonry jobs for us. Over the course of the past year Eddie has built a stone retaining wall for us, two stone stair cases, and a walk. Several of these we thought through while they were in progress. Eddie had no problem accommodating our requests beautifully. And his advice along the way was invaluable. We’d definitely hire him again - and we plan to."

"Mr. and Mrs. Howe along with their team of professionals transformed the entire back yard of my Ellicott City townhouse from grass/weeds to a beautiful hardscape surface. Great quality, extremely efficient from start to finish, overall a wonderful experience. Will be reaching out to them again in the Spring to transform the front yard, I consider them landscaping/hardscaping, "Alchemists"."

"We are the same people who submitted the review regarding the large-scale installation of gardening beds with trees and shrubs (~75 plants total) in our backyard, followed by core aeration, seeding, and grub treatment of our entire property (work completed October 14, 2013).
Since this work was completed, Kuhlman Lawn Service has done a wonderful job checking up on our property to make sure all plants are healthy and that the new garden beds have proper drainage.  They have quickly and happily replaced a few trees (under warranty) that didn't fare well after the past two harsh winters, and everything else they planted is doing beautifully.
The work we just had done in Spring 2015 was for garden bed extension and reshaping (to expand the beds to accommodate new tree growth), mulch removal and replacement for all garden beds on the property, and some tree and shrub trimming.
Consistent with our previous experiences working with Kuhlman Lawn Service (we've made use of their services since 2011), everyone we dealt with was friendly and respectful, and the workers left our property clean and tidy after completing the work.
As before, we look forward to working with them more in the future!

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