Build It Right

Download the Build It Right™ Project Guide

Every great outdoor project follows the same simple system.
Build It Right helps you plan your patio, veneer, or landscape project step by step so it lasts longer, looks better, and comes together with confidence.

Build It Right.™
Build It Beautiful.

The Secret Behind Every Great Project

Some patios last for decades. Others crack, shift, or feel unfinished. The difference isn’t luck. It’s the system behind the project.
At American Stone, we’ve helped thousands of contractors, landscapers, and homeowners build projects that last. Over time we realized something important:
Every successful project follows the same four stages. That’s where Build It Right comes from. Our stone experts help guide you through the process so you can plan your project the same way professionals do.

Every Project Follows Four Simple Stages

Every project follows the same system. This is what separates a yard that works from one that doesn’t.

Stage 1 : Base

This is what makes your project last

The base is what everything else depends on. Compaction, drainage, and proper base materials prevent shifting, sinking, and long-term maintenance problems.

The Gnome knows: "Stone doesn’t fail. Prep does."

Learn more about Base Materials

Stage 2 : Surface

Surface is the main material of your project

This is the part everyone sees first. Patio slabs, pavers, decorative rock, or stone veneer, the right material brings your vision to life. But choosing the right surface also depends on how the project will be used.

Think about traffic and durability, your climate and grade, and the style and feel of your space.

Explore Surface Materials

Stage 3 : Features

Features bring life to your space

This is where your project becomes something special. Features turn a patio into a gathering space and a yard into a destination. Think adding the focal point(s) to your space: firepits, fountains, seating, outdoor kitchens, vertical stone walls.

Features add personality, function, and long-term enjoyment.

See Feature Ideas

Stage 4 : Finish

What makes it feel intentional

The finishing touches are what separate a basic project from a truly beautiful one. Finish materials help soften transitions, define spaces, and create professional-level results. Your space is going to feel intentional once you’ve considered boulder and rubble accents, natural strip and wall rock for borders and edges, monolith and large stone groupings, and sealers. This is where we also look at how plants or other environmental additions come to play and is where projects feel complete.

Explore Finish Options

Don’t Forget the Tools

Even the best materials need the right tools to install them properly. Compaction equipment, masonry tools, adhesives, sealers, and installation supplies all play a role in making sure your project performs the way it should.

Whether you're preparing base materials, installing stone veneer, setting patio slabs, or finishing edges with rubble and boulders, using the right tools makes the work easier and the results better.

At American Stone, we carry the tools and installation products professionals rely on every day. Our team can help you choose the right tools and materials for each stage of your project so everything comes together smoothly.

Because when you Build It Right, the install matters just as much as the materials.

Plan Your Project Like a Pro

We created a simple tool to help you walk through the Build It Right system for your own project.

The Build It Right™ Project Guide helps you:

Map out each stage of your project
Estimate base materials
Plan surfaces and features
Think through finishing touches
Organize your materials list

Whether you're a contractor or a DIY homeowner, this planner helps you avoid costly mistakes and build with confidence.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

Every day we work with contractors, landscapers, builders, architects and homeowners. We know what works, what lasts, and what problems to avoid. From quarry to finished project, we understand stone on a level most builders never need to think about.

If you ever get stuck, our team is here to help. Because when you build it right… You build it beautiful.

Let's Get Started

Build It Right.™ Build It Beautiful.