Landscaping Estimates

[House on the Prairie]

Our 1/2 acre lot is in need of some major love, so I'm in the process of consulting with my Angie's List account for potential contractors. After receiving a bid of $60,000-$80,000 (!!!!!), I've realized I need to scale back my project and my expectations. So now, I'm just focusing on our front patio. I find it hard to really hone in on what I want and still be open to professional suggestions and feedback. I guess I make a decision, get my heart set on it, and then find out it can't happen because I haven't thought of details like sunlight and dirt displacement and, oh yeah, that I haven't won the lottery recently.

What gets me is that I'm perfectly willing to get my hands dirty and help, but since I have zero experience, I just don't feel comfortable doing a project like this on my own. Don't you hate it when you know you COULD do something if only someone could just teach you how?

That's my vent for the day. Thanks for listening.

[flippinout]

Listening is what we are here for and also to help when and if we can.

The prices you were quoted are really steep and for those kinds of prices, I would expect them to be back every week to care for the plants etc until you move.

But, on the other hand, if you know what you want to do, and have sat down and made a drawing of what you want, theres no reason you couldnt do it yourself.

You have us to rely on, plus the whole internet to check and make sure what and which plants require sun, shade, or whatever.

Landscaping seems like a big rough job, but if you break it down into sections, its much easier to deal with and wont be quite as intimidating as trying to do the whole thing at once.

[flip_it_fast]

There is no doubt that you could save a ton of money by doing the work yourself.

Like Flippinout said, look at it in small sections and do that one at a time. You have us here for guidance and the world at your fingertips with google too.

I have faith in that you can do this and make it just as you have dreamed.

[House on the Prairie]

So I think I can green up the place without a problem, but the hardscaping...hmmmm... How hard is it to put up a retaining wall? What should I look for? When should I hand it over to the professionals?

On the outset, it doesn't seem that difficult to cut back some dirt and stack bricks, especially if I can find a way to brace the dirt, etc. I don't mind getting my hands dirty; quite the contrary, if given a choice, I'd be up to my armpits in the stuff (as it is, I'm up to my armpits in babies, so they get priority). I guess I just need to get out there and do some research, and then start doing price comparisons in my local market for the actual supplies.