Your New Patio or Retaining Wall: DIY or Hire a Pro?

Whenever embarking on a new home remodeling project, homeowners here in the Hudson Valley are often faced with the decision of whether to tackle the work themselves or to hire a professional. After all, there are many projects that don't require a whole heck of a lot of machinery, tools, experience, or expertise, and going the DIY patio route could mean saving a ton of money. 

The installation of a new patio or a retaining wall is somehow deceiving for homeowners. While these projects should be put in the same bucket as the 'do-not-touch-electrical-stystem upgrades,' homeowners sometimes give it a whirl. Unfortunately, I cannot remember a time when this courage paid off with great reward. For the DIYers we work with each season, I suggest something a little less involved like planting the plants or staining the existing deck. Here's a few things to consider before you dive in head first to landscape construction. 

1. The various materials needed are very heavy

Patio and retaining wall projects are construction projects—no doubt about it. Whether built from natural stone or concrete pavers, these materials are heavy, large, and difficult to handle. And thats just the pavers! Because we live in a freeze/thaw climate in Dutchess County, there is a lot more crushed stone and sand that needs to be installed underneath the pavers. 

2. The heavy equipment needed is really expensive and not easy to use

Unless you plan on excavating the earth, moving pallets of stone that weigh 3k pounds or more, and shoveling gravel all by hand, you are going to need some equipment. Most of what you need is rentable for a daily fee, but you will need to know how to operate things like excavators, skid steers, plate compactors, an large demo cutting saws. A patio installation project requires a lot of machinery including a dump truck to haul all your material around. 

3. There are many tips and tricks that you only know if you do it all day. 

Landscape construction is a niche skill. There are a large number of tricks that come from doing patio, walkway, and retaining wall designs and installations all day, everyday. And while many of these aren't 100% necessary for a DIY patio project, many of them are necessary for a professional looking end product. There are literally hundreds of paver patterns alone! There's nothing worse than spending a huge amount of time and money on a home remodeling project only to be unsatisfied with the results. 

4. Redos and repairs are very expensive

If you choose to go the DIY route for your new patio or landscape project and for some reason it doesn't result in a success, it is not easy to fix. Choosing the wrong paint color for your master bedroom is really terrible. But it is easily fixed. Incorrectly installing a patio, retaining wall, or paver walkway is not. Often times when we are brought in to repair a project it is considerably more expensive than if we started from scratch.  Many times there is stone or paver material that is unsalvageable. Sometimes there is water damage as a result of an  incorrectly pitched patio. Whatever the case may be, just know that mistakes can be costly to repair. 

Proper installation of concrete pavers for your patios and walkways

Like many things in life, it's what's under the surface that counts. And when it comes to landscape design and construction, patios, pool decks, and walkways are no different. 

Most of the truly important techniques that result in a long-lasting patio that your family can enjoy for generations are executed during the phase of installation known as "base preparation." As boring and technical as this phase of patio installation may be—especially when compared with the fun of choosing the sizes, shapes, textures, and colors of the pavers themselves— it is truly critical.  In fact, it's a great idea to ask a landscape contractor that you are thinking of hiring to walk you through how they will excavate and install the base for your project. Many of the times in which pricing estimates for an outdoor living project vary greatly between landscape contractors, the plan varying plans for this phase of the project is the cause. 

There's only one right way to install a patio

Here in Dutchess County, we experience the beauty of 4 seasons throughout the year. But with those beautiful seasons also comes what is known as "freeze/thaw."  As the ground cools down in autumn and eventually freezes in winter, extra stress and pressure is put on patios, walkways, and foundations. This is the reason you often see cracked and shifting poured concrete walkways. 

Because of this freezing and thawing of the ground that occurs each year, choosing interlocking concrete pavers is a very smart choice for our Northeast climate. When installed properly, pavers are part of a flexible system that is able to "move" ever so slightly during freeze/thaw. This system is made up of a few main components. 

1. Geotextile Underlayment

After excavation of the native ground to allow for the different layers of the base system—usually 8"-10"—a layer of synthetic fabric referred to as geotextile underlayment is installed. This barrier stabilizes the ground during our Hudson Valley freeze/thaw cycles and prevents the next layer of gravel from migrating into the soil. It is a very cheap investment for the huge return it provides. 

2. Aggregate Base

For everyday pedestrian traffic, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute recommends 4"-6" of compacted aggregate base material underneath pavers for elements like patios and walkways. This layer is installed on top of the geotextile underlayment and is compacted in increments of every 2" of so. 

3. Bedding Sand

Next up is a layer of bedding sand. Directly underneath the pavers is a layer of course sand that is 1" or less in thickness. This sand layer is screeded out and is not compacted prior to paver installation. 

4. Pavers

It's time for the part that is most exciting and rewarding for most homeowners—the actual pavers! With the many manufacturers of concrete pavers out there today, the choices here are extremely vast. It's important to select a concrete paver from a manufacturer that offers a lifetime warranty and that stands behind the products they produce.

At Harmony Hill Landscaping, we are certified installers for many manufacturers including Unilock, Cambridge, and Techo-Bloc. We are also certified installers through the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.  

Learn more about hiring the right landscape contractor for your Hudson Valley project here. 

Bringing new life to existing outdoor kitchen in Hopewell Junction, NY

Outdoor living spaces are no different than the living spaces on the inside of your home. As your family grows, sometimes what you need from your living spaces changes. As so was the case with this outdoor kitchen design in Hopewell Junction, NY.

The Harmony Hill team was brought in to expand the existing grill island, bringing a more complete functionality to the space. Working to ensure that the new materials mingle with the old cohesively, the team designed a new "U"-shaped outdoor kitchen to accommodate the new features these Dutchess County homeowners were after.

This remodel includes the addition of two new "legs", one on each side of the existing central grill island. The new design includes an outdoor sink, pull-out stainless drawers and trash can, and low voltage landscape lighting. In addition to all of the design and construction, the electric work is also being handled by Harmony Hill Landscaping.

To pull the entire outdoor kitchen project together, a new overhead pergola will sit atop the space, offering shade and style for the grillmaster and guests. 

We can't wait to see this one come together! Stay tuned. 

Plan Ahead for Your New Hudson Valley Pool and Landscape Projects

Now that the colder weather is working it's way into Dutchess County, NY and the greater Hudson Valley region, it's a great time to think about your fall and beginning of winter planning. 

The Harmony Hill crew is still busy—and will be right up through Christmas—building beautiful landscapes and poolscapes like the one featured here, working closely with Fishkill Pools for the pool installations. The fall season projects usually involve working with many client's looking to get a jump start on next year's outdoor living season. And this type of planning ahead can be a huge plus for being able to enjoy new outdoor living spaces more quickly. 

Instead of waiting until spring to begin design landscape plans, pulling any necessary permits, and working through construction, much of this work can be done while most of your time is spent inside the home anyway. Just imagine come the warm weather here in the Hudson Valley, you and the family will be enjoying your poolscape right away—not beginning design and construction for the following year's enjoyment.

We'd love to chat with you about how we can help move your project along during the fall and winter months. Give us a ring!

3 Easy Backyard Ideas for Improving Your Landscaping in Dutchess County, NY

Sometimes when life's too busy or the budget's not quite there, it helps too look at easy ways to add big style to your outdoor living spaces. Even if a new patio with an outdoor kitchen isn't on deck (pun intended) in the near future, there are a lot of great ideas that can be "quick wins" for improving your backyard landscaping. Here's 3 to get your creative juices flowing!

1. Large Outdoor Garden Planters 

Interesting, oversized, colorful planters add big 'POP' in a jiffy. While these stylish pots can get expensive quickly, look for left over stock come October or use unconventional vessels like old baskets and water pails. 

Add a blast of style to your Hudson Valley Landscaping with large potters-Photo courtesy www.my-gardenroom.co.uk

Fire pits bring your backyard ideas to life, as well as your family!- Photo courtesy of Home Depot

2. Add a Fire Pit

There are many affordable pre-made fire pits on the market today that will serve you well until your ready to invest in that stunning stone fireplace you've been eyeing. For less than a $100, you can gather the family up for roasting s'mores and hanging out by the fire. 

3. Create an Intimate Outdoor Seating Area

It's tough to really settle in and enjoy your backyard landscaping without a place to hang out and relax. Buying large fancy outdoor furniture may not be the best bet because your not sure exactly what you'll need when you develop your more permanent backyard ideas. For this one, think painted pallets stacked up to a low height and topped off with some big comfy cushions. Even better, create an 'L" shaped setup to increase conversations. 

Intimate seating is easy for your Dutchess County Landscaping -image courtesy of 101palletideas.com