42 minutes ago
Sunday, September 22, 2013
So...
Neither Odysseus nor I have the time, energy, or knowledge of how to do more than take the deck apart. Do we call a contractor or a landscaper to do everything we need for the yard (deck torn out, fence extended from the corner of the deck to the corner of the house--about 10'--and repaired in other places, and a patio of paver stones laid down)?
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If you know what you want to build, hire a contractor. Their expertise is for the nuts and bolts of construction. After it's built, you can hire a landscaper for the plantings. Their expertise is towards available area, what survives well in the environment of your yard and the maintenance required for the plants you choose.
ReplyDeleteIf you need someone to take care of the entire project - including plantings - a contractor is still best. They'll hire a landscaper for consultation and the final construction. They'll manage the entire project and charge accordingly.
Thanks. We know exactly what we need done, and it shouldn't be too terribly expensive.
DeleteI do everything myself here. There arent' any contractors that wouldn't have to come from a long way away (and charge me for it), and so I have had to learn by hit and miss over the years. That's why I am constantly having to do repair work here, I keep the place up myself. If you have the money, a contractor is great. Provided he's honest.
ReplyDeleteMy other half and I both work (and I bring work home), and he's got classes to keep up with as well as work. We also have the kids to keep an eye on, and that takes at least one of us out of the working on repairs equation. I'd rather not spend the money, but we don't have the time or energy to do what we could do ourselves, and have no idea how to fix the gaps in the fence where the posts have sagged. Nor how to put in extra fencing in the gap between the corner of the deck and the corner of the house, after we take the deck out.
DeleteIf time is the main issue, go with a contractor. I do as much as I can with our house, but I do it with the understanding that what would take a professional a day or two will take weeks of evenings and weekends. I'm lucky that Girlie Bear can help us by watching Boo, so we can both work at the same time. Your situation is different, so if you have the money, a contractor is probably a good idea.
ReplyDeleteWe probably will--next spring. I noticed yesterday evening that we need some minor repairs done on the outside of the house, first.
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