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.

Stone vs pine
 

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.

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?

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.

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.

A place for stones is on 301, south of 466 on the west side.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.
:):)

Weeding
 

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?

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.

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