Before & after natural stone steps, block foundations, and decorative masonry projects across NW Metro Minneapolis — built to handle Minnesota winters.
From natural fieldstone steps to concrete block foundations, Tim Hanson has been placing stone and block throughout Hennepin and Sherburne County for 30 years. Stone and block work done right doesn't just look good — it lasts. Frost depths in the NW Metro reach 40+ inches, so proper base preparation and material selection make the difference between a project that holds for decades and one that heaves and cracks every spring.
An Elk River homeowner had crumbling concrete front entry steps that were a safety hazard. They wanted natural stone to match the fieldstone foundation of their 1940s farmhouse. Tim sourced local Minnesota limestone flags, excavated to below frost depth (42 inches), installed a compacted gravel base, and set four broad treads in a mortar bed. The result looks like it's been there as long as the house, and the extra-wide treads make the entry feel welcoming and safe year-round.
A Ramsey home built in the 1950s had its original concrete block foundation showing significant deterioration — several blocks had cracked through and the mortar joints had washed out in the exposed sections. Tim replaced the cracked blocks with matching CMU units, repointed all deteriorated joints on the above-grade section, and applied two coats of masonry waterproofer to the entire exterior foundation to address the moisture infiltration that had been causing basement dampness.
A Rogers homeowner wanted to add two flanking stone planter walls at their front entry — a classic curb-appeal upgrade that also eliminated the mowing challenge of an irregular slope near the front door. Tim built two 18-inch-tall dry-stacked limestone planter walls using hand-selected stones for consistent face appearance. The walls were backfilled with clean drainage gravel and topsoil so the planters are self-draining and won't heave from water accumulation.
Three large limestone slabs on a Maple Grove home's back patio entry had heaved 2–3 inches over several freeze-thaw cycles, creating a trip hazard. The original installation had no aggregate base — the slabs were set directly on soil. Tim lifted all three slabs, excavated 12 inches of base material, installed compacted class-5 aggregate, and reset the slabs in a mortar bed with proper slope for drainage. No more heaving issues.
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