General contractor (and landscaper?)

[cos]

My house needs some masonry and stonework redone on the top part of the foundation in one corner, and new stairs into the basement at that same corner, and a new deck and back stairs on top of that (since the existing deck and back stairs all rest on that portion of the foundation and would have to be torn out). I've never had this kind of work done and don't know much about it. Got any recommendations for general contractors in the vicinity of Cambridge, MA who you like? Any tips on things I might want to read or learn about before I call them, so I can have informed conversations and understand what work they're going to do and how to pick the right one?

Separately, an inspector suggested grading the earth around our house to make it slope outward, since, he said, it's currently directing water towards the foundation (not obviously enough that I would've noticed, but probably true). Nobody's been taking much care of the plants along the side of the house and in the backyard, which has gotten overgrown, so maybe this is a good excuse to get a landscaper?

Comments

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend researching the topic on the This Old House website, which has lovely articles and videos that give you an idea of what the basic concerns and options are and how a job should be done.

The contractor who's working on my bathroom is...okay. She needs close supervision and has kinda poor communication skills, but on the other hand, she works like hell for $30/hour.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

Oh, and another piece of advice: start right away if you want this done before the snow comes. The good contractors are booked weeks or months in advance.

[cos]

So much stuff on that web site about foundations & water! But nothing about other kinds of work on existing foundations, that I can find.