Hardscapes in Alpharetta and north metro Atlanta

What we build

Oscar Cruz Construction is an Alpharetta hardscape crew, and this is the core of what we do. Most hardscape jobs are a mix of a few things. A new patio often needs a short wall to hold the slope behind it. A driveway job often ends with a new front walk. Because the same crew does all of it, you get one estimate and one schedule instead of three contractors.

• Paver and concrete patios: large-format pavers, brick pavers, stamped concrete and plain broom-finished concrete.
• Retaining walls: segmental block walls along driveways, under decks and around patios.
• Driveways and walkways: new concrete driveways, aprons and repairs, front walks, stamped walks and flagstone paths.
• Flagstone: side entries, paths and pool decks, including repairs around skimmers and drains.
• Brick edging and borders for beds and walks.
• Pool deck work: forming and pouring decks and laying paver walkways beside pools.

What makes hardscape last

Almost every hardscape failure starts below the surface. Pavers sink, concrete cracks and walls lean when the ground underneath was not prepared or the water was not given somewhere to go. That is why the photos from our jobs show so much dirt, gravel and form boards: the part you never see is the part that decides how long it lasts.

• Digging out the soft ground. Topsoil and roots come out so the base sits on firm soil.
• A compacted gravel base. Gravel is spread and packed down so the surface has an even, solid bed.
• Forms and edges. Concrete is poured inside staked forms, and pavers are held in by an edge so they cannot creep.
• Drainage. Slope, drain lines and drain boxes go in before the surface, so water runs away from the house.

Much of north metro Atlanta sits on clay soil, which holds water and shifts as it wets and dries, so this prep matters even more here than in sandy ground.

Pavers, concrete or stone?

There is no single right answer. We can do all three and will tell you honestly what fits your yard and budget.

• Pavers come in many shapes and colors, and a damaged one can be lifted and replaced.
• Stamped concrete gives a patterned look, like the medallion walks in our photos, in one continuous slab.
• Plain concrete is usually the most budget-friendly way to cover a large area such as a driveway or a big slab.
• Flagstone gives a natural stone look for paths, side entries and pool decks.

Questions people ask

Other work we do

• Paver and concrete patios
• Retaining walls
• Driveways and walkways
• Construction, remodeling and repairs

See every photo and video on the projects page, or check the service area.