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Landscape Costs
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? |
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 |
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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. |
Thanks
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? 😊 |
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.
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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.
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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. |
Yep - Dirt Cheap on 441 is the place to go.
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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.) |
Attend a Master Gardners class in TV. The pine straw should stay and a no to the rocks.
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try doing it yourself !!!!!!!!!
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Landscape
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You can do it all yourself ,
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Call Son Life Lawn & Landscaping. They are very fair priced. You can find them on Facebook.
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I think you should get in touch with the other guy and trade
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Landscape
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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. |
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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! |
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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!
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Landscaping
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
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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. |
The matting is a waste of time......weeds will eventually grow on top of it anyway......
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Welcome to The Villages
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Landscape work
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 |
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.
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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.
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Rock
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. |
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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.
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That's one of the reasons I wanted to start reading TOTV way before we move, learning before spending! Thanks, all |
I've got a guy! RMR Landscaping. Excellent work, great price!
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.
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RE: low maintenance Choice of plants is important as well as the proper plant in the right place. |
Source for rocks
Dirt cheap on 441 Summerfield. They also deliver.
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