Testimonials

Mike did a very nice job rebuilding our walls. He is a very pleasant person and easy to work with and reliable. I would definitely recommend him to anyone needing walls built.

Reggie Lavallee
Smithfield, RI

The beauty, craftsmanship, and New England charm of Mike’s stonewalls speaks for themselves. As a homeowner, what was most impressive about our experience with Mike was how pleasant he was to work with. He met with us several times to help us plan our landscaped pool patio area and he was reliable when it came to scheduling and getting the project completed. As a structural engineer, who finds it challenging to hire knowledgeable contractors, I was very impressed with what went into constructing the stone wall built into the side of a hill that also acts as an earth retaining wall. Detail to building concrete footings, the reinforced masonry wall behind the stonewall, and drainage system is what made his work product stand out.

David Grandpré, P.E.
East Greenwich

Working with Mike Minto was a great experience. I had a difficult, large new stone wall project in Portsmouth RI. There are a lot of grading issues combined with adding new retaining walls with drainage. I was looking for an old look for my project, and Mike nailed it, solving complex engineering issues with beautiful craftsmanship that delivered exactly what I was looking for.

Not only did Mike manage to turn a difficult project into hundreds of feet of beautiful walls, he was super easy to work with and stayed within a lean budget. I’d encourage anyone looking for high quality, old world craftsmanship to hire Mike.

Joe Tomlinson
Portsmouth, RI

Mike Minto repaired two stone retaining walls on my property. He is a true professional and completed the jobs in a timely manner. The stonework itself was very well done, and Mike made sure that the new walls matched the existing structures in place on my property. The price was reasonable, the work was very well done, and the job was done quickly and efficiently. Thank you very much Mike Minto!

Peter Dante
South Kingstown, RI

It was a pleasure hearing your thoughts on how to transform our collapsed rubble into a handsome stone tree ring. You did a splendid and speedy job- we love it!

Joannie Hinman
East Greenwich, RI

My family worked with Mike during the spring of 2016, and he built the exact stone wall and walkway we had imagined and envisioned (on time and at budget). While we had a general idea of what we were looking for, Mike was able to fill in the gaps from an aesthetic standpoint, and everything looks perfect. We were so pleased with his work, we introduced him to my brother-in-law who is building a house nearby. We would recommend Mike and his services and plan to work with him again.

Brian and Nicole Fitzgerald
Charlestown, RI

Green Circle Design has worked with Mike Minto since 2011 on various projects. Mike Minto is a skilled stonemason, technically competent and artistically talented. His design sense and knowledge of materials has resulted in beautiful work that continues to enhance our portfolio. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with him over the years.

Kate Lacouture
Owner Green Circle Designs

I really cannot recommend Rhode Island Stone Walls and Mike highly enough. I had a vision and a budget, and then found Mike, who I see as an artist who also happens to know how to gather and arrange large stones to make a beautiful picture. We spent time talking and he was patient in getting to understand me better and what I envisioned. He helped improve my initial idea and together we devised the perfect plan for my modest little lake cottage, with no surprise add-on costs, held to a timeline, and left me with not only a gorgeous addition to my yard, but a unique and sentimental structure that truly defines and completes my property. It is my favorite part of the yard and I am very grateful for his creativity, the ease of working with him, and for his hard work. If you are planning to invest in a stone wall, you found the right guy!

Lisa T.
Exeter, RI

To anyone looking to build or repair a stone wall, Mike Minto is your man. In my recent experience working with him, I found he is a well experienced, seasoned New England stone wall builder. Mike understands and realizes the important of getting the right look and wall, depending on your location, property and surroundings. Mike will match or create whatever you are looking to do. Mike is the type of guy that takes the time and effort needed to find the proper stone and materials required to build what you’re looking for. I found him easy to work with. He listens to what you have to say and he is patient with the process needed to do the job correctly. Another thing I liked about Mike is he is good at keeping you informed as to what he is doing and communicates with you daily, if needed. My experience with Mike was pleasant and enjoyable and I was very pleased in the end with the wall he built. It looks good on my property and I have had many nice compliments on my wall.

Mike
Warren, RI

Mike Minto is an artist.

His media are the iconic stone walls of Rhode Island.

With a very professional eye he is able to design, plan, repair and restore a stone wall that has fallen into disrepair. He will honestly propose and budget a plan and accommodate your ideas and requests.

It has been a pleasure to watch and work with him.

He is a true craftsman with a skill that brings back the true natural beauty of the old New England landscape dotted with stone walls.

Linda and Carol
South Kingstown, RI

We live on a 200-year-old farm surrounded by amazing stonewalls. Some more formal, topped with beautiful capstones, others simply thrown. During a severe storm, a large limb fell and damaged a section of wall adjacent to our home. That was the beginning of a long quest to find someone with the skill and sensitivity to make the repairs. We talked and met with multiple “drywallers” but could not find someone we felt confident could deliver what we were looking for. Admittedly we are really passionate about stonewalls. When I found Rhode Island Stonewalls I thought it was a group that might have some recommendations. Mike promptly returned my call and within a few minutes, I felt I had just met an old friend. He got it!!! No need to explain how important it was to match the surrounding stone. It was an absolute joy to talk “stone” with someone who is sensitive and passionate about their work. Mike exceeded our expectations and it was a delight to work with him.

Cathy W.
Smithfield,RI

To see Mike at work is to simultaneously go back in time when  artisans understood how to balance each rock for sturdiness and beauty, and to look forward to the future when our newly restored stone walls will once again define the landscape for decades to come. Witness for yourself how impressive the walls are at Historic New England’s Casey Farm in Saunderstown and try to find Mike’s repaired areas in among the stones placed centuries ago.

Jane H.
Site Manager at Historic New England Casey Farm | Saunderstown, RI

Mike was so easy to work with! Our stone wall was damaged by a tree and he made it look better than ever! He’s very professional and is very good at his craft. I highly recommend him.

Emily C.
Wakefield, RI

Five stars! Mike did outstanding work in the reassembly of our stone wall. Highly Skilled!

Brian M.
Kingston, RI

Our driveway entrance stone wall recently collapsed (approx. 20 ft long section) after years of slowly shifting in place. We saw Mike’s website and were impressed with the wide variety of stone wall work he has completed, along with excellent testimonials. Mike responded to our inquiry promptly and both started and completed the total rebuild-job very quickly (much faster than we expected).

The completed wall is fantastic and maintains the same consistent look as the rest of the wall, and looks even better than when it was originally built. He did an outstanding job fitting the stonework together in a tight natural pattern.

Great work and we highly recommend Mike for any stone wall project!

Rick and Anne Dunne
Narragansett, RI

When we found the Rhode Island Stone Walls website, we knew we had to have Mike Minto build our wall. He listened to our vision and far surpassed anything we could imagine. His expertise, professionalism, and artistic ability, as well as his work ethic  set him apart as a true master of his trade. Mike is honest, personable and a pleasure to work with. He is a true gentleman and we highly recommend him.

Jan Brosnan
Greene, RI

Mike Minto did two sections on my stonewall. He did a wonderful job!

He was very professional and meticulous in doing his art. I was fortunate and delighted to have found his website.

Janet O'Connor
Seekonk, MA

I’m thrilled to share our experience with RI Stone Walls, who repaired our historical stone wall. Mike’s meticulous craftsmanship, attention to detail, and dedication to preserving the wall’s historic integrity exceeded our expectations. The result is a beautifully restored structure that stands as a testament to his skill and passion for the craft. We are truly grateful for his expertise and highly recommend his/their services to anyone in need of top-notch stone masonry work.

Abigail Ducharme
East Greenwich, RI
Mike Minto is kind of a super hero.

He swooped in and saved a marriage, a friendship with neighbors, and a stone wall.

My husband decided that rebuilding our falling down stone wall would be a fun “summer” project. That summer started in May and finally (thanks to Mike) ended in late October.

We knocked the wall down (onto the neighbor’s lawn) then felt sheer panic and paralyzing overwhelm. (Or…I did anyway) My husband, myself, and the kids spent several hours hoisting boulders onto the wall and it wasn’t looking any more stable than the one that was falling down. My husband was determined, (that’s what he calls it….what I call it is frustrated and irritable) the neighbors lawn had boulders and dirt strewn across it, and the kids looked at me like, “Please save us from this insanity”

My husband had to travel for work and as soon as those back tires left the driveway I googled! And Laaaaaaa… the photo of Mike Minto(RI Stone Walls) was in front of me. All that was missing was a cape. This man hoisting a boulder (effortlessly it appeared) into place on a wall was going to save us all! And he did.

Trying to not make it completely awkward…I didn’t tell Mike my husband had no idea this was happening. But my neighbor would go over now and then and check things out and mentioned one day, “you know, I don’t think her husband knows about this.” So I had to fess up.

I would check progress everyday when I got home from work. Because I had a bit of understanding of the time and effort it took to move those stones, I was in awe. It was literally incredible how fast Mike put the wall back together. And it was looking like it would never fall apart again. Mike also found beautiful enormous rocks to use as steps. Which was something we hadn’t considered. They fit into the landscape naturally and perfectly. He also repaired a few loose steps on our patio. He did all of this in less than a month; we had a few very rainy days that halted progress a bit.

If you don’t have a stone wall, have Mike build one for you. They’re so pretty and if Mike builds it, you will have it forever. Or if you have a falling down one that needs some love, call Mike. He loves what he does. He’s excited to talk to you about his plan, keeps you updated on progress or any changes that need to be made, and is open to questions and input.

We are all so happy with our new stone wall. It’s beautiful! And the stone steps are my favorite.

MARIA B.
North Kingstown, RI
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