Get in touch with us

Four things get you a long way: what your budget is, how much space you have, how you actually picture using the space, and what the upkeep will look like once it is built. That last one catches people out, so it is worth asking whether a surface can simply be hosed down, whether higher-end appliances need annual servicing, and how often a patio will want re-sealing.

We are licensed for both hardscaping and as a General Contractor. That covers hardscape design, outdoor living spaces, paver patios, firepits, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and grill islands, retaining walls, walkways, driveways, pool decks, stone veneer, wood decks and three-season rooms. We include a 2-D sketch at no charge; for more complex designs we will refer you to a registered landscape designer.

We assist with HOA approval as a matter of course. That usually means COVIS providing a sketch, showing the layout on a plot plan and setting out the materials to be used. Collecting neighbour signatures and anything else the association requires from you stays with the homeowner.

It depends on the work. Pavers, flat work and wood-burning features traditionally do not need one. If gas, plumbing or electricity has to be run to a grill island or fire feature, a permit is required, and any structure needs both permits and inspections along the way. Where they are needed, COVIS acquires the permits and schedules the inspections.

Very often, yes. Where a yard is not level we build retaining walls to establish proper grade and deal with drainage. Our rule of thumb is that flat work should not exceed an eighth of an inch of fall per foot, which is the point at which you stop noticing it under furniture. In severe cases we tier the yard with more than one wall.

We do our best to. Most homes built in the last 20 years carry manufactured stone, and we try to identify the brand and style, though plenty of those companies no longer exist. Natural stone is far easier to match. Pavers can be matched with the same caveat, and bear in mind anything sitting in sunlight will fade over time. You sign off a selection sheet for every material before work starts.

We oversee the installation of electrical appliances but we are not electricians, so plumbing, gas and electrical work is subcontracted to the relevant trade. What COVIS does install is low-voltage lighting, which needs only a transformer plugged into an existing socket and does a lot for a finished space. Where it saves you money, we will suggest you buy your own fixtures.

Manufactured stone veneer, natural stone in veneer and flagstone form, patterned and irregular flagstone, travertine, porcelain pavers and concrete pavers. We do not install concrete patios, driveways or sidewalks, though we have industry partners we can subcontract that to as part of a project.

No. Interior work is common for us, particularly stone around an indoor fireplace, accent walls and kitchen backsplashes.

Yes. Where we are replacing or updating something, COVIS handles the demo and takes the material away.

Fencing is not a service we offer, but we work with industry partners and can subcontract it as part of a project. The same applies to larger grading work that needs heavy equipment to move dirt or flatten a big area. Both are decided case by case and discussed at your consultation.

It varies with size, design and materials. On average, homeowners in this area spend somewhere between $4,000 and $12,000. The only way to get a real number is a consultation, which is free.

Installed properly, paver patios and walkways last 25 to 50 years with minimal maintenance. Sweeping, rinsing and re-sealing every few years is essentially the whole job.

Hardscaping is the non-living part of your yard, the stone, pavers, concrete and timber. Landscaping is the planting. COVIS builds the hardscape, and it is designed to sit alongside your planting rather than replace it.

They are among the highest-return outdoor projects, often recouping over 70% of their cost in added home value. In this part of North Carolina they get used most of the year, which is a large part of why.

We try to, for repeat customers, veterans and first responders among others. We do not advertise them and handle it case by case. We also run seasonal specials from time to time, so it is worth asking when you get in touch.

Send us a note through the form on this page, or call the office. Someone will get back to you to set up a free consultation on site, where we take measurements and talk through the layout, materials and schedule.