Landscape Costs

[Catwntrstn]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

[smarro52]

We are new in TV also We also want the pine needles GONE and rock put in
I’ll be interested to see the replies to your post

[retiredguy123]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?
Yes, you can do it yourself. One place you can buy rocks is at Home Depot, but I would shop around. I would get approval from ARC before you do anything. Most people don't want to do that type of work, and the $2,550 price sounds reasonable, depending on the size of the area. If you do hire a landscaper, get competitive quotes, and do not pay any money until they complete the work. Good luck.

[Stu from NYC]

Quite a few contractors think we are all rich and can afford to pay higher prices.

They apparently think we are also stupid.

I would also get some more quotes (see whom your neighbors use) and follow the advise of Retired Guy in dealing with contractors.

[Catwntrstn]

Appreciate the advice.

I’ve got a 68 year old husband who has Alzheimer’s. He’s as strong as an ox and we need something to do. He can help remove pine straw. He can unload bags of Home Depot stones. Someone please tell me it’s not a bad idea to do some of this stuff ourselves!

It’s not like I’m cheap (well, a little) or we can’t afford it. We’re putting a pool in the backyard…that’s where I want to splurge. That will be our (his) oasis. The front…I’m not here to impress anyone. I just want something basic and I don’t see handing over $2550 (while I sit on my rear and watch) when I can do it myself for less than half of that.

Does anyone else feel me?
😊

[JohnN]

Go to Dirt Cheap on Highway 27/441 north of highway 42. They sell most of rock around here. They'll deliver it (used to be $50 per truckload) and there are plenty of folks around who can spread it if you don't want to. Dirt Cheap used to have a lot of business cards on their register wall and they can make a suggestion.

[retiredguy123]

If you can do it, then it is a good idea. Get ARC approval before starting. If you do any digging, be careful about hitting cables. They are very shallow.

[New Englander]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

When you buy the weed blocking fabric, buy the better quality fabric. It is more effective at blocking weeds and lasts much longer.
Also there are places that will deliver the rocks you want and dump it in your driveway. Buy or rent a wheelbarrow to move the rock.
I have done what you want to do. Just take your time.

[mike1946]

Yep - Dirt Cheap on 441 is the place to go.

[thevillages2013]

Go to Dirt Cheap on Highway 27/441 north of highway 42. They sell most of rock around here. They'll deliver it (used to be $50 per truckload) and there are plenty of folks around who can spread it if you don't want to. Dirt Cheap used to have a lot of business cards on their register wall and they can make a suggestion.

Second vote for Russo’s Dirt Cheap.

[bobeaston]

Labor is usually the largest component of any renovation work. Right behind labor is the capital investment the contractors make to support their businesses (that truck and all the tools, the sales people, the people who schedule the work, and the accounting people who manage the firm's money, and the fuel to drive everything to your doorstep). It all adds up.

When you do it yourself, very rarely do you consider the cost of your own time, or the cost of your own tools, or all the rest of the capital investment costs. So, the contrast is always striking.

and...
... if you lobbied for, or supported, a $15 minimum wage, you increased your landscape costs
... if you lobbied for, or supported, shutting down oil pipelines, you increased your landscaping costs (gasoline has increased more than 40% in a mere 6 months.)

[Rwirish]

Attend a Master Gardners class in TV. The pine straw should stay and a no to the rocks.

[thevillagernie]

try doing it yourself !!!!!!!!!

[akerwin1909]

We are new in TV also We also want the pine needles GONE and rock put in
I’ll be interested to see the replies to your post

I had a quote for $8000 to remove rock and put a few plants in last year. Keep calling people.

[banjobob]

You can do it all yourself ,

[joseppe]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

Welcome to the Villages. Cost for services is very high. Similar landscaping we had done in other parts of the country were less than what we ended up paying here.

[jimkerr]

Call Son Life Lawn & Landscaping. They are very fair priced. You can find them on Facebook.

[J1ceasar]

I think you should get in touch with the other guy and trade

[Larchap49]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

You can buy the metal edging and fabric from lowes or home depot. Easy to install if you have a few basic tools. If you are removing any sod, digging it up and disposing of it is the hard part. I had the sod removed and edging and stone installed on 3 sides of a 1500 Sq ft with golf cart garage home for 1550.00. There are reasonably priced contractors out there.

[R&J in NJ]

Hello,
You will need ARC approval through The Villages before work is approved.
Labor costs are high which justified your quote. It's back breaking work.
Good luck.

[KRMACK55]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?
You are right ! The impression here is everyone is rich and naive. You need Preen barrier cloth stakes and YES you can do it yourself. Wait until November. They charge these prices, drag the job out and they pay the illegals cheap wages!

It’s this way about everything.The more you can learn on your own the better it will be. I’ve been gouged so much I’ve given up. I’m selling my house and moving to maint free!

[KRMACK55]

Appreciate the advice.

I’ve got a 68 year old husband who has Alzheimer’s. He’s as strong as an ox and we need something to do. He can help remove pine straw. He can unload bags of Home Depot stones. Someone please tell me it’s not a bad idea to do some of this stuff ourselves!

It’s not like I’m cheap (well, a little) or we can’t afford it. We’re putting a pool in the backyard…that’s where I want to splurge. That will be our (his) oasis. The front…I’m not here to impress anyone. I just want something basic and I don’t see handing over $2550 (while I sit on my rear and watch) when I can do it myself for less than half of that.

Does anyone else feel me?
😊
You are 100.% right ! Besides you’re going to get nickel and dimed on the pool as you probably are having T&D do it!

[G.R.I.T.S.]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

Labor rates. BTW, why replace natural mulch with gravel? You’re not “eliminating” weeds. They will most likely increase in number and density on top of the “weed mat.” Pine straw helps prevent many weeds from germinating.

[La lamy]

I've read on TOTV about many people who regretted doing stone in their yard. They still get weeds and they're much harder to get rid of from the stones. I'd stick with pine mulch which I hear is the best. But if you end up wanting to do it still, get hubby and yourself to put in the elbow grease for sure!

[aldeana]

It's a BIG mistake to put rocks down in landscaping. The desert look belongs in Arizona, not FL. Rocks will increase your ambient temperatures (do we need that?) and I guarantee you, it will not keep weeds out. Weeding is much more difficult around rocks (if you want to remove weed roots). If anything, use pine bark instead. It's a good idea to put an under layer of weed cloth, but you really don't need to remove the pine straw. It will disintegrate eventually. Just put the weed cloth over it, then the pine bark. Lots cheaper solution and environmentally sound. And consult with a master gardener about landscaping with FL friendly plants. You can do a Zoom consultation. Sumter County Master Gardeners - The Villages (https://thevillages.fnpschapters.org/resources/sumter-county-master-gardeners/)

[Toymeister]

We did it ourselves. Six tons of rock hauled ourselves from Russo's over a few months. At first we used five gallon buckets to haul the rock, later a wheelbarrow.

While it wasn't pleasant it is a point of pride. Thousands saved with no downside, hard work is good for the soul. But, remember in The Villages, virtually no one wants to work. So few will understand why you chose the DIY option.

[drbmd03]

The matting is a waste of time......weeds will eventually grow on top of it anyway......

[MikeandAnn]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

Just about all the subs here are high on price. They think you are rich and that you can’t do it. First off if you think you need that much rock don’t buy it in bags from Home Depot. That is way to expensive. That is why the landscaper has a trailer. Buy it from a rock yard by the cubic yard. I live here in the Villages and do little jobs here and there. Licensed and insured. If you want to do most of it I can haul away the straw and bring the gravel. I can do as much as you want me to and I do not price gouge.

[PaulUnderwood]

We replaced all of our pine straw with river rock and weed block plus curbing for far less give Morgans whole 9 yards for a quote
352-203-8410

[diva1]

Have you ever shoveled rock into the wheelbarrow and then rolled it around to where you need the rock...like hundreds of times? It is back breaking work. That rock is heavy. Good luck and have the Motrin ready because you will need it.

[MandoMan]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

Pardon my laughter. Three tons is 6,000 pounds. Have you ever shoveled 6,000 pounds of gravel? That’s like shoveling two SUVs or four or five golf carts. Do you own a big, sturdy wheelbarrow? A little one won’t do it. Can you push it and dump it? Can you do all this in Florida in July? I’ve shoveled tons of gravel and tons of soil mix. It is a LOT of work. I would pay a lot to never have to do that again. Sorry. I know the bill hurts. Get competitive bids if you like. Would you like to use only documented workers, or are you okay with workers who are afraid of being deported and willing to work for less money. I have friends who hire undocumented Guatemalans at a gas station, drive them to their house, pay them each $15 an hour and a rotisserie chicken for lunch. But they don’t have their own tools—you provide them. And they may not know how to do the landscaping the way you want it.

[merrymini]

No need to remove the pine straw. Just add the other stuff on top. The pine straw breaks down as it is organic matter. You can get anything delivered in bulk to your door, just look on line. I love the pine straw. My house is surrounded with wildlife and many birds because my yard is filled with flowers and is nature friendly. I don't understand this fascination with rocks.

[Ptmckiou]

Just please be aware that every professional landscape designer I’ve talked with says rock is a huge “no-no”. It’s too hot for plants. Also, to change from pine needles to rock, you will need to get approval first from the architectural board, because it’s a major change in your front yard.

However, to answer your question. Most definitely you can do the work yourself.

[mambeg]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?
It cost a lot of money to run a legitimate business. They should be fully insured, vehicle and payroll expenses not to mention taxes. Then they hope there is a profit at the end of the Job. It ain't cheep to be in business these days.

[Ski Bum]

I've been in landscaping for 40+ years. Easy, quick number check. For $3 a square foot, you get bare minimum work, $5 gets you some nice grading and mulch or rock. Remember, these laborers are people, not machines. Some of these posts are really inconsiderate and others downright mean toward the people that do our work for us. I'll leave it at that.

[Seamus6]

Just please be aware that every professional landscape designer I’ve talked with says rock is a huge “no-no”. It’s too hot for plants. Also, to change from pine needles to rock, you will need to get approval first from the architectural board, because it’s a major change in your front yard.

However, to answer your question. Most definitely you can do the work yourself.

hmmm...something for us to think about. We were considering rock in the garden when we eventually buy in TV for looks and lower maintenance. I see a lot of negative comments on it though. We were kinda hoping to get away from buying and spreading 10-15 yards of mulch a year for our current gardens once we retire. But if it doesn't do as well keeping weeds out and is bad for the plants, not sure it's worth it.

That's one of the reasons I wanted to start reading TOTV way before we move, learning before spending!
Thanks, all

[lstevenson1470]

RMR Landscaping, Cliff Robertson. 352-901-1985, cliff126767@gmail.com. He spread three yards of stone, put down landscaper-quality fabric barrier, and took all the old wood chips away. He is a hard worker and doesn't stop for anything! Great price compared to other estimates we received. Pleasant to have around too.

[DAVES]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

HUH? Of course you can do it yourself. Garden matting? Weed block fabric? Only 3 tons of gravel? That is 6,000 pounds. Endless debate pine straw vs landscape fabric and gravel. No matter what you do you will have weeds. With gravel you need to weed or pay someone to do it by hand. Tools will damage the landscape fabric.

[DAVES]

hmmm...something for us to think about. We were considering rock in the garden when we eventually buy in TV for looks and lower maintenance. I see a lot of negative comments on it though. We were kinda hoping to get away from buying and spreading 10-15 yards of mulch a year for our current gardens once we retire. But if it doesn't do as well keeping weeds out and is bad for the plants, not sure it's worth it.

That's one of the reasons I wanted to start reading TOTV way before we move, learning before spending!
Thanks, all

REALITY-no matter what you do you will have weeds. We have pine straw. You will notice that in public areas the maintenance contractor uses pine straw. With pine straw you can use tools to weed. With gravel tools will damage the landscape fabric. Weeds are stubborn the will find every hole even come up between sheets of landscape fabric. Ten to fifteen yards of mulch our home is 2600 sq foot with beds all around? Reminder you are replacing what has turned to compost-rotted away. We use roughly 6 bales of pine straw every year cost is about 3-$4 a bale.

RE: low maintenance
Choice of plants is important as well as the proper plant in the right place.

[anpo532]

Dirt cheap on 441 Summerfield. They also deliver.

[Seamus6]

REALITY-no matter what you do you will have weeds. We have pine straw. You will notice that in public areas the maintenance contractor uses pine straw. With pine straw you can use tools to weed. With gravel tools will damage the landscape fabric. Weeds are stubborn the will find every hole even come up between sheets of landscape fabric. Ten to fifteen yards of mulch our home is 2600 sq foot with beds all around? Reminder you are replacing what has turned to compost-rotted away. We use roughly 6 bales of pine straw every year cost is about 3-$4 a bale.

RE: low maintenance
Choice of plants is important as well as the proper plant in the right place.

What the the contractor for the public areas uses is very telling. Thanks for all the info.
BTW, I see I left out an important factor with our current garden set up. We put out 10 to 15 CUBIC yards of mulch most years....didn't buy any this season because of dealing with other major issues like fixing our deck and 5 cubic yards of fill dirt to replace some lost due to erosion. it never stops.

[davem4616]

We've hired landscapers twice now since moving to TV...

All my life I did the landscaping myself, it was a nice escape from the corporate world where it's sometimes hard to immediately see the impact that you're having

I've been impressed with the upfront sales talk , but lukewarm with the results from the two landscapers that we've used....but I'm beyond playing in the dirt at this
stage in my life

Are they overpriced...yes, but perhaps not for the stonework

Best advice I can give you is to hire a small operator that will actually be on site working with the crew

[PugMom]

If you can do it, then it is a good idea. Get ARC approval before starting. If you do any digging, be careful about hitting cables. They are very shallow.

agreed-you will need the utility companies to come mark your property with those little flags

[DAVES]

Appreciate the advice.

I’ve got a 68 year old husband who has Alzheimer’s. He’s as strong as an ox and we need something to do. He can help remove pine straw. He can unload bags of Home Depot stones. Someone please tell me it’s not a bad idea to do some of this stuff ourselves!

It’s not like I’m cheap (well, a little) or we can’t afford it. We’re putting a pool in the backyard…that’s where I want to splurge. That will be our (his) oasis. The front…I’m not here to impress anyone. I just want something basic and I don’t see handing over $2550 (while I sit on my rear and watch) when I can do it myself for less than half of that.

Does anyone else feel me?
😊

People first of all are replying to your original post. As I said no matter what you will deal with weeds. Truth, I am posting as I am procrastinating. With all this rain I need to do my weeding. I have not done it in weeks. Perhaps, I am lucky. My wife will complain but she will help me.

Do it yourself or pay someone. I do it myself. My wife helps me. Not only do I not pay myself, I do not pay her either.

When you hire someone they will do it all at once. When you do it yourself, you can choose to work for a hour or so and do more later or the next day or???????????

[mark100]

Call "Dirt Cheep" for your rock. They deliver. Dump it on your driveway with a tarp you can by from Home Depot or Lowes. Do the job yourself. Hire a handy man to remove the old Pine straw and haul away.

[larcha]

We have used Dirt Cheap (on 441 north of TV) for years and DIY. They are very reasonable. Ask neighbors for handyman suggestions. The result will be much more to your liking.

[llaran]

We are new in TV also We also want the pine needles GONE and rock put in
I’ll be interested to see the replies to your post

We changed to stone and I'm sorry we did. it does make weeding easier but also keeps the heat and cooks the roots of plants.

[DAVES]

What the the contractor for the public areas uses is very telling. Thanks for all the info.
BTW, I see I left out an important factor with our current garden set up. We put out 10 to 15 CUBIC yards of mulch most years....didn't buy any this season because of dealing with other major issues like fixing our deck and 5 cubic yards of fill dirt to replace some lost due to erosion. it never stops.

As stated, I buy it by the bail. I think there are at least two different sized bales sold and different qualities as well. The stuff sold by Lowes, Home depo kind of places is I think 2 cubic yards. The quality is variable. As far as it never stops, very old debate do you own your stuff or does your stuff own you?

[shov100]

If you are able to purchase the rock yourself, we have purchased through Dirt Cheap on 441. The rock is not in bags, so you'll need something to put the rocks in.

[Bellavita]

3 tons of rock isn't cheap, try to pick them up in your car? You are hiring someone to do labor. If you don't like the price do it yourself. Landscapers have to pay to get "rid of pine straw" they have to pay people to do it, they have to have workman's comp. It gets pricey. Some jobs we can do ourselves, if you are in great shape and can labor in this heat. Do it. Most people think $2500 is worth it. get another quote, these companies can't find people who want to work.

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?

[SERENITY52]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?
A place for stones is on 301, south of 466 on the west side.

[dyendell]

Had the same problem so I pulled all the hay out myself and replaced with cypress mulch which I prefer having lived in South Florida for over 20 years. Total cost about $100. No weed
Block needed as long as you put the mulch on at least 3” thick. Easy to freshen up as needed and doesn’t require a border.

[Velvet]

We had straw and the wind blew it away to expose the landscape cloth under it. I had it replaced with beautifully colored rocks not touching my plants. There are weeds but it depends on the depth of the rock mulch. If the rock mulch is deep - no weeds. And the wind has not blown them away. The landscaper was a bit sloppy and I chose to redo the work myself. Including replacing the cloth with staples (under a low bush too - that was not fun, getting scratched from the branches). Hubby cleaned the rocks one by one, they are about golf to tennis ball size. I put them back. It took days as we did only as much as we wanted to each day. Now it really is “our” garden.

[mjpuleo]

it may seem easy to do it yourself, but once you get started you will soon say "I should have called someone to do it, it is well worth it." Senior citizens should not undertake such a job.

[Velvet]

it may seem easy to do it yourself, but once you get started you will soon say "I should have called someone to do it, it is well worth it." Senior citizens should not undertake such a job.

They can play pickle ball but not garden? Are you kidding?

[Jawskid6044]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?
If your complaining about the cost do it yourself. Good exercise. Remember they are not installing at cost. They also need to make a living.

[DaleDivine]

If you hire someone to do it or help,
NEVER EVER EVER EVER PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT.
:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:
Too many SCAMMERS working around here.
Good luck.
:):)

[FUSSY LADY]

I have had a young lady weeding for me for a couple of years now, originally it was $40.00 to weed, then she went to $40.00/hr. okay, I went along with that, now she texted me and went up to $50.00/hr, just for weeding! I must have stupid printed on my forehead, who would pay that. To me she is slowly putting herself out of business, what do you all think, would you all pay that much?

[KsJayhawkers]

We purchased our rock at Southern Aggregates on U301. Three tons of 1.5 inch rock delivered was $605, 100 yds of fabric block was $40, and edging block was $430. We had 690sf of landscape area. It took my wife and I one hour to remove the pine straw and five hours to do the landscaping. We were quoted $2500 for the job. When we broke it down, we each earned $118.75 an hour.

[Marge K]

Check with Dirt Cheap on 441 north of 42 on the right. My husband has bought rocks there.

[worcester]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?
If this is really a small area you will not need more than a yard or 2 of stone. The stone we purchased from Dirt cheap was $110. per yard and $50 or $60 to deliver. Rake up your pine straw, bag it and put out the trash. Put down the material from Lowes (get heavy duty roll) and do the rocks yourself. It won't cost you > $300

[Haallred02@aol.com]

Seems high. Had ours done with three raised beds, two robelini palms and one Queen along with flowers Seminole rocks and walls for $3500

[joelfmi]

I got a quote for a very small area in my front yard. Some items listed: removing pine straw - $250. Place matting down - $150. I just don’t get it, really? I can buy a roll of garden matting at Lowe’s for $12.99. I only need 3 tons of gravel. Is there a place where a resident can purchase a load of rocks? I’m not doing this for a showcase, I just want some very basic, minimal work done. Total quote $2550.
I’m new to TV, this seems outrageous to me. What am I missing?
Can I do some or all of this myself?What your missing the contractors have to pay compensation, Contractor liability, truck insurance, repair, office workers, laborers telephone service, accountants, rent, of course it's going to cost a lot that why contractors stay away from homeowner as much as they can. I can believe that you cannot understand why they charge what they need to make a decent profit to male a living.

[Velvet]

What your missing the contractors have to pay compensation, Contractor liability, truck insurance, repair, office workers, laborers telephone service, accountants, rent, of course it's going to cost a lot that why contractors stay away from homeowner as much as they can. I can believe that you cannot understand why they charge what they need to make a decent profit to male a living.

I completely agree. When one does their own gardening they don’t have these costs. So it is not fair to compare it to how much a landscaper needs to charge to make it worth their while to do our garden. I just evaluate how much the work is worth for me to pay for, and if they charge more than I want to pay then I find an alternate solution.

[su2009]

I have had a young lady weeding for me for a couple of years now, originally it was $40.00 to weed, then she went to $40.00/hr. okay, I went along with that, now she texted me and went up to $50.00/hr, just for weeding! I must have stupid printed on my forehead, who would pay that. To me she is slowly putting herself out of business, what do you all think, would you all pay that much?
Yep, I pay $110 for an hour for two guys whenever I can’t do it myself (us. because of a medical issue, travel, elderly mom in hospital, etc.). It’s dirty, boring work that hurts my back and knees, and in this heat it’s just awful to be out crawling around plants pulling weeds. And the weeders usually have to drive twenty or thirty minutes each way from someplace north or south to get here. Yep, it’s expensive, but you are not likely to find anyone willing to do it cheaply, especially given the heat and the rain.

[LateBoomer]

costly apparently but really varies. however seems like people complain about being scammed by rather bad landscape jobs.

[Happydaz]

It's a BIG mistake to put rocks down in landscaping. The desert look belongs in Arizona, not FL. Rocks will increase your ambient temperatures (do we need that?) and I guarantee you, it will not keep weeds out. Weeding is much more difficult around rocks (if you want to remove weed roots). If anything, use pine bark instead. It's a good idea to put an under layer of weed cloth, but you really don't need to remove the pine straw. It will disintegrate eventually. Just put the weed cloth over it, then the pine bark. Lots cheaper solution and environmentally sound. And consult with a master gardener about landscaping with FL friendly plants. You can do a Zoom consultation. Sumter County Master Gardeners - The Villages (https://thevillages.fnpschapters.org/resources/sumter-county-master-gardeners/)

I agree that rock mulches are more for the Southwest USA and Mexico where cacti and succulents thrive in the hot, alkaline rocks. If you choose to use a natural mulch then large pine bark nuggets can work well. The large size nuggets shade the surface so few weeds can germinate. Don’t install a weed mat under the bark as you will not benefit the plants and soil organisms that thrive when the mulch breaks down and improves the soil. You also don’t want a weed mat or rocks as they interfere with any gardening or planting of seasonal flowers. I have been using bark nuggets for over seven years and I have few weeds and the plants and trees are thriving. The bark mulch has a low ph and lowers our high ph soil that exists around many parts of the Villages. The ph around here can come in at 8 which is too high for most plants and trees we plant in our yards. Rocks are usually high ph and add to the alkalinity of our soils. Rocks get too hot and can stress many plants in our hot summers. I know Villagers come in high in the conformity scale but why copy a landscape that looks more like New Mexico than Florida? Yes, you have to add more bark nuggets over time but you are continually improving your soil and your plants will thrive. Rocks on top of landscape fabric seals your poor native soil in and no improvement in the soil occurs with decomposition of organic materials. No worms and few soil organisms produce a poor growing medium for plants. Sure new landscape looks good the first few years when rocks and fabric are spread around but in time the plants decline and stop thriving. Then the weeds sprout in the rocks and out comes the Roundup. We live in Florida. Look around outside the Villages, most divisions use bark mulch. It’s dark, natural color gives a classic look to any landscape.

[graciegirl]

Appreciate the advice.

I’ve got a 68 year old husband who has Alzheimer’s. He’s as strong as an ox and we need something to do. He can help remove pine straw. He can unload bags of Home Depot stones. Someone please tell me it’s not a bad idea to do some of this stuff ourselves!

It’s not like I’m cheap (well, a little) or we can’t afford it. We’re putting a pool in the backyard…that’s where I want to splurge. That will be our (his) oasis. The front…I’m not here to impress anyone. I just want something basic and I don’t see handing over $2550 (while I sit on my rear and watch) when I can do it myself for less than half of that.

Does anyone else feel me?
😊

Get at least three quotes. You can do ANYTHING yourselves...with permission from the Architectural Review Committee. Talk to your neighbors. People are overcharged a lot if they don't do their homework. But not just here....everywhere.