HARDSCAPE HERO | May 2025 | Ricky Simmons | Simmons Lawn and Landscaping

From Cutting Grass to Crafted Spaces:
HARDSCAPE HERO, Ricky Simmons

For Ricky Simmons, owner of Simmons Lawn & Landscaping, the road to becoming a HARDSCAPE HERO started behind a mower and led to full-scale outdoor living design and installation. Powered by vision, passion and a commitment to do the job right, Ricky has built a company that withstands the test of time.

In the ’90s, a homeowner (and VP at a commercial construction firm) encouraged Ricky to partner with him, providing hardscaping design and installation for new construction projects. After securing his Virginia contractor’s license and taking product education and installation courses, he quickly became a “go-to” hardscaper in his area.

Evolving Designs

Ricky thrives in active construction environments where plans often evolve on site. During this project, he worked with the builder and homeowner to update the pool size and shift the angle to fit the backyard slope and better integrate with the house.

“The pool placement was changed because of the topography. If you’re looking at the back of the house, the yard sloped on the right-hand side, and adding a bigger retaining wall would have increased the budget.”

This type of hands-on adjustment is crucial to his process and building trust with his clients. Rather than just relying on 3D designs, Ricky applied white paint to the ground to help homeowners visualize the new layout placement.

Drainage. Drainage. Drainage.

Ask Ricky about the project’s biggest challenge, and he’ll say, “Water is the enemy. The drainage was a real challenge. The hot tub was tucked into the corner, and we had to keep water from flowing back into the pool. And of course, we had to keep the water from sitting up against the house foundation and collecting underneath the deck.”

Ricky also had to manage the downspouts to make sure the water was channeled away from the new paver patio. Ricky explains, “We had to also think about the condensation on the roof that occurs in the winter months. Once it thaws out, we had to make sure that we didn’t have slick spots on the patio, so people who were coming around the corner in the shady spots didn’t slip and fall.”

Pushing Palettes

Ricky’s design palette is diverse, and he credits Belgard’s innovation and variety of products as key factors in his success over the years. “I always try to incorporate different designs into each project. Every project is supposed to be unique and not look like the neighbors.”

When asked about Belgard products that he’s recently incorporated into projects, three favorites come to mind.

“Brooklyn has become a product that I’m using quite a bit. I really like the texture and the roundness of the paver. I also really like the Papyrus 18X20 because it’s really unique and has a great texture. The Belgian Cobble has also become a favorite of mine for adding distinctiveness to walkways.”

Made with Integrity

If you were to sum up Simmons Lawn & Landscaping into one word, it would certainly be: integrity.

He believes that what the customer ultimately says about his company and craftsmanship is of the utmost importance. As a truly hands-on business owner, Ricky takes great pride in his work and in creating trusting relationships with homeowners.

“Do what you say. I’d rather lose money than deliver a bad job. Your name is on the work. It’s a part of your character.”

That concrete ethical standard builds confidence in his construction partners, fuels referrals and, of course, earns him HARDSCAPE HERO recognition. Ricky, expands, “It’s important if you want to be in business for a long time.”

Rewarding Results

For Ricky, the ultimate payoff of being a hardscape is seeing the end result of his hard work. “You work from bare ground and now have this amazing project that the homeowner will enjoy for years. I like seeing the expression on their faces. And a lot of times, I get invited to events and get to hear stories about how they’ve been enjoying it.”

Paver Pride

Although Ricky admits his goal at the end of the day isn’t to win awards, he takes great pride in receiving recognition and access to the HARDSCAPE HERO community of professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region.

“It’s a lot of pride. To be recognized when you go to the event in Richmond and getting to talk to other winners, your peers, it’s really exciting. If it weren’t for the HARDSCAPE HERO program, we wouldn’t always get those opportunities.”

For Ricky, the relationships he has formed with his sales representative and local distributor have been crucial to his success. With many manufacturers and products to choose from, he has developed trusting partnerships over the years that he can always depend on.

“There are so many other products out there, but I’m very loyal to Belgard. I try to continue to push customers to use their products. Both Belgard and my dealer, Yorktown Materials, want us contractors to succeed. They give us the tools and the support.”

At Belgard Hardscapes, we cherish the passion, dedication and loyalty of talented contractors like Ricky Simmons, and are continually amazed by the creative ways he and his team use our pavers. With decades of installing beautiful projects in new and existing homes and a multitude of happy homeowners that he often calls friends, Ricky truly represents the character and craftsmanship of a Belgard HARDSCAPE HERO.

The following Belgard Hardscapes products were used in this project: