Fireside Stone and Patio Reviews: Honest Homeowner Guide

Fireside Stone & Patio is a family-owned contractor based in Ellicott City, Maryland, that has been operating since 1976. Across verified review platforms, the company earns generally strong marks, with a 4.7/5 on Angi, a 4.0/5 aggregate on Yelp (28 reviews), an A+ BBB rating (though not BBB-accredited), and a more modest 3.0 on Houzz. The consistent theme across customer feedback is reliable service, fair pricing, and a long-standing local reputation in the Maryland market, particularly across Howard, Baltimore, Carroll, and Anne Arundel counties. If you are a homeowner in that region researching patio, hardscape, fireplace, or chimney contractors, Fireside Stone & Patio is a legitimate option worth getting a quote from, provided you clarify warranty terms in writing before signing anything.

At-a-glance verdict

Fireside Stone & Patio has been in continuous operation for roughly 50 years. That kind of longevity in a fragmented local market is not accidental. The company holds a Maryland state trade license (number 75313, issued through the MD Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation, with a platform-reported expiration of 12/31/2027). Its BBB file has been open since 2008, shows no active complaints in recent search results, and carries an A+ rating. The business is currently managed by Tom Gross, son of founders Ed and Eileen Gross. For Maryland homeowners, the bottom line is: this company is established, licensed, and well-regarded by repeat customers, but you should push for written warranty terms because the HomeAdvisor profile field for warranties reads 'No' and the company website does not publish a workmanship warranty document.

What Fireside Stone & Patio actually does

The company covers two broad categories of work: indoor hearth and fireplace services, and outdoor hardscape and stonework. That dual focus is worth understanding because it shapes the company's crew capabilities. A contractor who does both chimney work and patio installation has stone and masonry skills running through both sides of the business, which tends to produce better-integrated outdoor fireplace and fire pit projects than a pure patio contractor would.

Indoor and hearth services

• Wood-burning, gas, pellet, and electric fireplace sales and installation
• Fireplace and stove installation (new construction and retrofit)
• Fireplace and chimney inspections and servicing
• Chimney sweeping and chimney repairs

Outdoor stonework and hardscape

• Stone patios and paver patios
• Walkways and pathways
• Retaining walls and landscape walls
• Outdoor kitchens
• Grill installation and outdoor cooking setups
• Custom stonework and hardscape design

The showroom at 76 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043 (phone: 410-203-2876) is a practical advantage if you are deciding on materials. Being able to walk in and see stone samples, fireplace units, and grill configurations in person before committing to a project budget is something that purely online-focused competitors cannot offer. For broader consumer feedback on regional home and patio events, see Jacksonville home and patio show reviews. If you are comparing this company to similar hearth-and-patio shops like AES Hearth & Patio in Newville or Better Homes Hearth & Patio in Fairless Hills, the showroom experience and the in-house masonry expertise for outdoor fire features are the distinguishing factors to ask about during your visit.

Geographic coverage: where they work

Fireside Stone & Patio's documented service area covers central Maryland, specifically Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Anne Arundel County, with some surrounding counties included. Customer reviews on the company site reference locations including Ellicott City, Highland, Mount Airy, and Columbia, which tracks with the Howard County and Carroll County footprint. This is not a multi-state franchise or a national chain. It is a regional Maryland contractor, which has real implications for homeowners: the crews are local, the owner is reachable, and you are not managing a subcontractor relationship through a distant call center.

If you are outside central Maryland, this company is unlikely to serve you, and you would be better served looking at regional specialists in your own market. For homeowners in the Carolinas, for example, companies like Carolina Family Pool & Patio or Charlotte Landscape & Patio operate in a different geographic footprint and would be the relevant comparison points for your region.

How to find them and verify their license

1. Visit the showroom at 76 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043 or call (410) 203-2876 to schedule a consultation.
2. Verify their Maryland trade license (number 75313) directly through the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation (DLLR) and the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) online lookup tools.
3. Cross-check their Angi/HomeAdvisor listing and BBB profile to confirm current status and check for any recent complaints.
4. Search Howard County court records independently if you want to review the historical lien filings, which date back to 2002 and 2004 (both listed as released in available records).

Verified customer ratings: what the numbers show

The aggregate picture across platforms is positive but not uniform. On Angi, where the company is listed as 'Approved' and carries its trade license on file, the summary rating of 4. Angi's local listing for Fireside Stone & Patio shows a 4.7/5 summary rating Fireside Stone & Patio — 4.7/5 on Angi. 7/5 is strong. On Yelp (aggregated through MapQuest with 28 reviews), the 4.0/5 score reflects a broader range of experiences, which is normal for a company with five decades of customer interactions. The Houzz score of approximately 3.0 is lower, but Houzz reviews for fireplace and masonry contractors are often sparse and can be skewed by a single dissatisfied reviewer in a small sample. The BBB A+ rating with no active complaints in current search results is meaningful, particularly for a company that has been operating since 1976 and has been in the BBB file since 2008.

One data point worth flagging: Howard County court records contain historical federal tax lien entries referencing the company from 2002 and 2004, both listed as released. Liens from over 20 years ago that have been satisfied are not a current red flag, but they are public record, and I mention them here because transparent research means sharing what the record actually shows, not just the positive summary. There is no current Maryland Attorney General enforcement action or consumer complaint record found in recent searches.

What real customers are saying

The customer voices across platforms share a few recurring themes: long-term relationships, consistent service quality, and specific praise for the team's professionalism. Here are representative excerpts drawn from the company's testimonials page and third-party platform aggregations.

From the company's testimonials page (dated, with locations)

• "The pricing was fair, the timeline was spot-on, and there were no surprises." — Kristos K., January 2026, Highland, MD
• "I have been a Fireside customer for 28 years!" — Doris E., May 2026, Ellicott City, MD
• Jennifer L. (July 2025) referenced an installation project in the Maryland service area with positive feedback on the crew's work.

From third-party platforms (via MapQuest / Yelp aggregation)

• "I've been doing business with Tom Gross of Fireside Stone & Patio for years. I've never been disappointed..." — Dave M., May 29, 2022
• "Just had the Fireside Team out to clean out my chimney... Great customer service." — Kevin S., December 13, 2024

Note that the testimonials published on the company's own website are curated by the business and should be read with that in mind. The third-party excerpts from Yelp, visible through MapQuest's aggregation, carry more independent weight. MapQuest listing (Yelp snippets), review excerpts include comments such as "I've been doing business with Tom Gross of Fireside Stone & Patio for years. I've never been disappointed..." (Dave M., 5/29/2022) and "Just had the Fireside Team out to clean out my chimney... Great customer service" (Kevin S., 12/13/2024) MapQuest listing (Yelp snippets) — review excerpts. The fact that both sets of reviews echo similar themes (fair pricing, reliable timelines, friendly team, and long-term loyalty) does give the positive pattern more credibility.

What customers consistently praise

• Long-term relationship continuity: multiple reviewers mention returning over many years or decades, which is a strong signal of consistent quality
• Transparent pricing: customers specifically note that quotes matched final invoices with no unexpected additions
• Project timelines: reviewers highlight that the work was completed on schedule
• Professional and courteous crew: both chimney service and outdoor installation customers reference the team's conduct positively
• Knowledgeable staff at the showroom: helpful for homeowners choosing materials or fireplace units
• Locally owned and operated: customers appreciate dealing directly with the Gross family rather than a franchise middleman
• Dual expertise in hearth and hardscape: particularly valuable for outdoor fireplace and fire pit projects that require both masonry and chimney knowledge

Where customers have raised concerns

The review record is generally positive, but there are a few areas where due diligence is warranted. These are not deal-breakers, but they are worth addressing directly with the company before you sign a contract.

• Warranty documentation: the HomeAdvisor profile field for warranties reads 'No, Fireside Stone & Patio does not offer warranties.' The company website does not publish a workmanship warranty document. This does not mean no warranty exists, but it means you need to ask explicitly and get the answer in writing before work begins.
• Houzz rating: the approximately 3.0 score on Houzz is lower than other platforms. The sample size is small, but it is worth reviewing those specific reviews to understand what drove lower scores.
• Limited geographic reach: if you are outside central Maryland, this company does not serve you, and the strong reputation does not transfer to a different region or crew.
• Historical tax liens: the 2002 and 2004 federal tax lien filings (now released) are public record. For context, both were resolved over two decades ago, but any homeowner doing thorough due diligence should be aware they exist.
• Self-published testimonials: the company's own testimonials page is curated and should not be treated as an independent review source.

Pricing ranges by project type

Fireside Stone & Patio does not publish a price list, which is standard for custom masonry and hardscape work where costs vary significantly by material choice, site conditions, and project complexity. The ranges below reflect typical Maryland-market pricing for the services this company offers, based on industry data for mid-Atlantic residential projects. Use these as a starting point for evaluating quotes, not as a guarantee of what Fireside will charge.

The cost drivers most likely to push a project toward the higher end of any range are natural stone selection over concrete pavers, complex site grading or drainage requirements, integrated gas lines for outdoor kitchens or fire features, and permit fees. In Howard County and surrounding Maryland counties, outdoor structures above a certain size or those that include gas connections typically require a permit. Ask Fireside Stone & Patio specifically which permits they will pull, who pays the permit fees, and whether permit costs are included in your quoted price or billed separately. That question alone will tell you a lot about how organized and transparent their estimating process is.

Permits, timelines, and warranty: what to ask before you hire

This is where I always tell homeowners to slow down, even when a company has a strong reputation. Getting a good review for a chimney sweep is not the same as getting a good review for a $40,000 custom hardscape. The stakes are different, and the paperwork matters more.

1. Ask whether a permit is required for your specific project and confirm who pulls it. In Maryland, home improvement contractors are required to be licensed through the MHIC; verify license 75313 is current before work starts.
2. Request a written workmanship warranty. The HomeAdvisor profile lists 'No' in the warranty field. Ask the company directly: 'Do you provide a written workmanship warranty, and for how long?' Get the answer in writing.
3. Ask about manufacturer warranties on any products installed (fireplaces, grills, paver systems). These are separate from workmanship warranties and should be documented in your contract.
4. Get a detailed written estimate that itemizes labor, materials, permit fees, and any contingency provisions for unforeseen site conditions.
5. Ask for a project timeline in writing, including start date, estimated completion, and what happens if materials are delayed.
6. Request two or three references from projects similar to yours (outdoor patio or fire feature) completed in the last 12 months, not just chimney service customers.

How Fireside Stone & Patio compares to similar companies

Direct apples-to-apples comparisons are difficult because most of these companies serve different geographic markets. But if you are researching the category of family-owned, hearth-and-patio specialists with showrooms and dual indoor/outdoor expertise, it helps to know how the profile of Fireside Stone & Patio stacks up against others in the same category. For readers comparing regional providers, consult local resources such as charlotte landscape and patio reviews to see how similar services are rated in different markets.

The clearest differentiator for Fireside Stone & Patio is its 50-year operating history and its specific dual competency in chimney/fireplace work alongside outdoor hardscape. Companies like Sheridan's Home & Patio or Soulliere Landscaping Patio & Garden Center may offer broader landscaping services, while Fireside's strength is in masonry and stonework specifically. If your project centers on an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, or stone patio where you also want the option of interior fireplace service from the same trusted contractor, Fireside's profile is a stronger fit than a landscaping generalist. A similar showroom-focused option in northeastern Pennsylvania is Better Homes Hearth and Patio Fairless Hills, which likewise showcases hearth and patio products for in-person selection.

Red flags to watch for and a hiring checklist

No contractor review is complete without a practical checklist. These apply to Fireside Stone & Patio and to any contractor you are evaluating in this category. For comparison shopping and local perspective, see Soulliere Landscaping Patio & Garden Center reviews to compare customer experiences and service offerings.

• Confirm the MHIC license (75313) is current via the Maryland DLLR lookup tool before signing
• Ask explicitly for a written workmanship warranty and do not accept a verbal answer
• Get a fully itemized written estimate, not a ballpark number on a business card
• Verify who is responsible for pulling permits and whether permit fees are included in the quote
• Ask for references from projects in the last 12 months that match your project type
• Check the Yelp reviews (28 available) directly, not just the company testimonials page
• Read the Houzz reviews individually to understand what drove the lower scores
• Confirm the project timeline and get a start date in writing
• Ask how the company handles change orders if unexpected site conditions arise
• Do not make a final payment until the project passes any required inspections

Next steps for homeowners

1. Visit the showroom at 76 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043, or call (410) 203-2876 to set up an in-home consultation and quote.
2. Before the appointment, verify license 75313 on the Maryland DLLR and MHIC websites.
3. Review the 28 Yelp reviews and the Angi listing independently; read the negative reviews carefully for patterns.
4. At the consultation, bring your project scope, a rough size estimate, and the questions from the checklist above.
5. Get at least two other quotes from licensed Maryland contractors to establish a price baseline. Even if Fireside earns the job, comparing quotes protects you from overpaying.
6. Once you have quotes, compare them line by line: labor, materials, permits, timeline, and warranty terms. The lowest price is not automatically the best value.
7. If you choose Fireside, confirm everything discussed verbally is reflected in the written contract before you sign.