Patios, walkways and hardscaping built to last
Custom-designed patios, walkways, steps and concrete work in premium pavers, flagstone and natural stone — built with clean lines, structural integrity and the kind of craftsmanship you can see in the joints.
HARDSCAPING & PATIOS · ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
A patio is only as good as what's under it.
The surface gets the compliments. The preparation gets the years. Riverside builds patios, walkways and steps with proper excavation, base preparation and drainage planned in from the start — because a patio that settles, heaves or holds water in Maryland's freeze-thaw winters wasn't built right. We combine that preparation with clean layout lines and careful finishing, so the result looks designed and stays that way.
What we build
Paver patios
Interlocking pavers in patterns and borders that suit the architecture of your home.
Flagstone and natural stone patios
Irregular or cut natural stone for a softer, landscape-driven look. See one we built: Flagstone Patio, River Rock Dry Well & Plantings in Davidsonville, MD.
Walkways and entry paths
Front walks and garden paths that improve curb appeal and safe footing.
Concrete pads and installations
Clean, correctly formed concrete pads for patios, equipment and hot tubs.
Gravel driveways and drives
Properly graded, drained gravel drives and parking areas.
Built from the ground up.
Site walk and layout
We assess slope, drainage, access and how you'll use the space, then mark out the footprint with you on site.
Excavation and base
The area is excavated and the base is built for the soil and load.
Set, cut, finish
Pavers or stone are laid to pattern with consistent joints, cut clean at borders and finished with jointing material.
Walkthrough
We walk the finished work with you. We warranty most of our project-based work; ask about the specific warranty for your project.
Patio and walkway timelines depend on size, materials, weather and site conditions, and your estimate includes a timeline for your project.
Materials & options
Concrete pavers
Wide range of colors and textures; strong, repairable, flexible with freeze-thaw.
Flagstone & natural stone
Natural variation, premium look, ideal for informal and garden-integrated spaces.
Poured concrete
Right for pads, equipment and utility areas where a paver finish isn't needed.
We'll recommend options for your home and budget at the estimate, and explain why.
Pair it with…
Where we build patios
Patios and hardscape for homes in Annapolis, Edgewater, Davidsonville, Severna Park, Arnold, Crofton, Crownsville and Odenton. Prefer poured concrete? See our concrete patios and pads.
Choosing your patio surface: pavers, natural stone or porcelain.
Each material has its own character, durability and upkeep, and the right one depends on your house, your site and how you'll use the space. Here is how we talk it through at an estimate.
Concrete pavers
The most versatile option: a wide range of colors, textures and shapes, in patterns and borders that suit your architecture. Interlocking pavers sit over a compacted aggregate base and a screeded bedding-sand layer with edge restraints, which lets them move with freeze-thaw cycles, and individual units can be lifted and reset if the ground shifts. Industry guidance for interlocking concrete pavements
Natural stone
Flagstone, bluestone and other cut or irregular stone give every patio a one-of-a-kind finish. Color and thickness vary from piece to piece, so the layout is fitted by hand, and the look suits gardens, older homes and landscape-driven spaces. Surface texture, sealing and upkeep vary by stone, so we'll go through them with you.
Porcelain pavers
Porcelain offers a crisp, contemporary look, including stone- and wood-look finishes. Manufacturers describe it as low-absorption, frost-resistant and resistant to stains, moss and de-icing salts. It is laid more like a tile or slab than an interlocking paver: there is no interlock between pieces, the base is compacted but the porcelain itself is not, and it needs set spacing, wet-cut edges and, in some designs, a pedestal or concrete support. Belgard: Installing outdoor porcelain pavers · Porcelain installation guide
Details that set a high-end patio apart
Borders and banding, inlays, wide steps and landings, integrated seating walls, matching coping, hidden drainage and landscape lighting planned into steps and walls. These details are decided during design, not added at the end, and they carry through to the outdoor kitchens, fire pits and fireplaces, pergolas and lighting we design and build. See Outdoor Living.
Anne Arundel County considerations
- Permits and grading. The County's permit guide says a patio doesn't need a building permit, but a Standard Grading Plan may apply depending on the size and disturbed area. Anne Arundel County: Do I need a permit? · Standard Grading Plan
- Critical Area. Within 1,000 feet of tidal water, lot coverage is limited and disturbing the 100-foot Buffer generally needs approval. Anne Arundel County: Critical Area
- Covered structures. Pergolas need a County permit and hot tubs require one, so structures over a new patio should be planned together with it. Anne Arundel County: Do I need a permit?
- Drainage. A patio should shed water away from the house, so grade and drainage are settled before any stone is set.
What our clients say
“Riverside Landscaping did a fantastic job transforming our yard! They were professional, efficient, and paid close attention to detail. The team listened to our ideas and made great suggestions that brought everything together perfectly. Highly recommend their services!”
— Brandon M., Google review
Rated 5.0 on Google by our customers. Read our reviews, or leave us a review.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a paver patio and a concrete patio?
Pavers are individual interlocking units set over a prepared base, so they handle ground movement and freeze-thaw cycles well and can be repaired by lifting and resetting individual units. Poured concrete is a single slab that is cost-effective for pads and utility areas but can crack. We'll recommend the right option for your site and goals at the estimate.
How long does a patio installation take?
Larger construction projects such as patios and walkways take longer than smaller jobs, depending on scope, materials, weather and site conditions. We give you a clear timeline with your estimate, before any work begins.
Do hardscaping projects come with a warranty?
We warranty most of our project-based work; ask about the specific warranty for your project.
Do you offer free estimates for patios?
Yes. We provide a free on-site assessment, evaluate your property and goals, and follow with a clear written proposal.
Do I need a permit for a patio?
Requirements depend on the size and location of the project, how close it is to the water or wetlands, and whether you are in the City of Annapolis, a community with an HOA, or elsewhere in the county. The County's permit guide says a patio doesn't need a building permit, but a Standard Grading Plan may apply depending on size and disturbed area; see the County permit guide.
How do I choose between pavers, natural stone and porcelain for a patio?
Think about the look, the site and the upkeep. Concrete pavers are versatile and repairable, natural stone gives a one-of-a-kind, landscape-driven finish, and porcelain gives a clean contemporary look with very low absorption. Your home's style, your drainage and how you use the space decide it. We'll bring options to your free on-site estimate.
Are porcelain pavers suitable for Maryland winters?
Manufacturers describe quality porcelain pavers as frost-resistant and unaffected by de-icing salts, but results depend on a properly prepared base, correct bedding and spacing, and the right installation method for your site. We'll recommend the method that fits your soil and drainage. See Belgard's installation guidance.
Will a patio count toward Critical Area lot coverage?
It can. Critical Area rules limit lot coverage, which generally means hard surfaces, and how a patio, walkway or permeable paving is counted is something to confirm with the County before design. We'll help you identify what to check. See the County Critical Area page.
Riverside Landscaping is licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland (MHIC #160581).
Ready for a patio that's built right?
Book a free on-site estimate. We'll walk the property, talk through options, and send a clear written proposal. Call 443-333-3136 or request your estimate online.