2008 Landscape Projects

[GMC Driver]

I thought it might be a neat idea to show each other some of the things we do in the "off-season". Truth be told, our spring/summer/fall can prove to be extremely crazy, and it's started already. For example, it's beautiful out today, yet I'm inside working on quotes for new landscape projects. I have a hard time not getting side-tracked. But I thought it might be a nice way to show others different ideas, skills, etc. We all share info about our snow operations, so why not a bit about some of the various landscapes we work on.

I'll start off with a few pics of a project we installed late last year. Maybe this will get the ball rolling. And if you striclty do maintenance - why not a pic of one of your sites? I always enjoy seeing what others do and how they do it.

Our company provides both landscape installation and property maintenance services. But for the purpose of getting the thread started, I'll start with a landscape project we did last fall. The customer wanted to create access from the driveway to a walkout basement, where they wanted a patio area for entertaining and a hot tub. We integrated the walkway, steps, and retaining walls to provide them with a purposeful and aesthetically pleasing landscape.

A few beginning pictures to illustrate the grade differential:

[William B.]

Nice idea for a thread. I always like seeing the different ideas people come up with for their yards.

[GMC Driver]

A few more of the step and walkway construction, including raised planter beds:

[GMC Driver]

Final few - near completion. I never did get a photo of it 100% complete, but we finished with restoring lawn areas with sod, and filling gardens with triple mix. The customer wanted to do their own plantings.

[hlntoiz]

Dave, Nice. Love the accenting with the boulders!

[snowjoker]

Nice work Dave. I can weld and fabricate, but cant do that kinda work ! I like the brick patio. Very nice..... :D

[nick13]

yea i alreday started with a couple of my jobs putting bushes in and mulch rock gardens ect. i dont have any pics but it is comeing along this season

[Chuck Smith]

Final few - near completion. I never did get a photo of it 100% complete, but we finished with restoring lawn areas with sod, and filling gardens with triple mix. The customer wanted to do their own plantings.

Dave, what did you use for handrails? Just curious.

Here in some areas you can get by with no rail and two steps, but three = handrail.

~Chuck

[GMC Driver]

Well Chuck - truth be told, we never installed hand rails. Here the code is four steps - and the other loophole is tread width. If you exceed the code width of 14", then it's considered a wide enough landing. The steps in the photos have a 16" tread width - so we're okay according to the code.

It's a loophole, I know - but to be fair a handrail just wouldn't look right.

[AL Inc]

Very nice work, Dave. I like the way you incorporated the boulders in. The random pattern in the patio is nice, too, that is very popular here as well. What brand of brick and block did you use?
I will try to post some of my stuff when I can, we don't do a lot of hardscaping, usually more planting and maintenance.

[Snowboy]

I've been looking after this property for 4 years now. When I 1st got it the weeds were 3' tall in all the beds in the backyard. 2nd year I sold him on Cedar mulch something stupid like 30 or 40yards $$$$.

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[Snowboy]

I did a lil topdressing/seeding and drainage install. 30yards of tripplemix. Synner (thanks Matt) from the forum here did the initial Install of the landscape and patio/walkway areas.

Mainly do lawn maint but have done a few decent sized sod jobs and small patio 's. I'd like to get into more landscape installs and sodding. The grass cutting just isn't cutting it anymore too many lowballers, but im sure landscaping has its fair share as well.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/thegrassmn/Land_Lawn/th_027.jpg (http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/thegrassmn/Land_Lawn/027.jpg)
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[Snowboy]

Nice interlock work Dave. I like the case loader as well.

I like the tumbled stones from Perma or Permacon. I'd like to redo my parents driveway with that type of stone one of these days. I'm tired of the stone they got down now. 1 day I'll get it done for em.

Dave.

[GMC Driver]

Nice places Dave - big lots!

In the pics we used Celtik Wall and Trafalgar pavers by Permacon. www.permacon.ca

This was/is a Quebec based company that last year was bought up by Old Castle out of the US. These products are sold under the Belgard www.belgard.biz banner south of the border. It hasn't resulted in much change to the products, accept that demand had increased, and there have been supply issues. We barely scrounged up enough pavers to get that job complete - mind you it was November. Apparently Old Castle has built some US plants now so that they can manufacture stone for the US market in the US.

I agree Dave - Perma and Permacon make some nice stone. We use alot of Permacon product because the quality has been fantastic. We also have used Perma, Unilock, and Oaks - with Oaks quickly becoming our 2nd choice.

I look forward to seeing what others have done.

[GMC Driver]

No takers? Or everyone else is out there installing, and has no extra time. It seems like another busy season here as well.

How about a few more - some driveway and patio pics:

[GMC Driver]

Some others:

[GMC Driver]

Some pergolas, trellis work:

[GMC Driver]

Some more interlock stone work, retaining walls:

[GMC Driver]

Here's a product introduced to the market here two seasons ago. There has been growing demand for this product as it starts to catch on - Arbel paver. It emulates the look of flagstone, while proving to be an economical alternative to natural stone.

[GMC Driver]

An example of a front entrance to a new home - and how to dress up a front porch, instead of the builder's concrete. Raised patio in the backyard.

[GMC Driver]

Finally, another Arbel project.


I think that's enough for a bit - I've got plenty more! I'd love to see what others have done.

[Mark Oomkes]

Nice work Dave, you want to drive over and give me a hand?

[jbutch83]

I wish I could do work like that, just don't have the time or experience yet though. I will be working on some projects around my house this year, got a boat load of evergreens that need to go, and rebuild some walls for a sunken patio that was with the house when we bought it. I also plan on redoing both front and back yards this year, I got more weeds than grass. When I get around to it, I will take some before pictures, and see if any of you have any good suggestions.

Dave,

That is some great work that you do, wish I could get to that point someday, but I got another 12 years at the PD before I can think about doing the other full time.

[hlntoiz]

Dave you are making us look bad. These can't all be this year? If so Kudo's

[Big Dog D]

Dave you are making us look bad. These can't all be this year? If so Kudo's

I would doubt it's this year. There is a whole lotta green in those pics to be Ontario in early April.

[GMC Driver]

All but two of those were done in '07. The other project was late '06.

Still have others from '07 - including a pool reno we did, plus the one job we did up in cottage country, 200 miles north of here. Alot of other smaller things.

We were busy in '07.

[hlntoiz]

We were busy in '07.

This year not so much. Have to really fight and prod to get people to spend money.

[hlntoiz]

Alright Dave, Finally got a chance to add some pics of last seasons work.

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[hlntoiz]

Few more

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[hlntoiz]

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[hlntoiz]

As you can see I enjoy walls a little more. They are usually more complicated and for some reason I love the challanges.

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[Pickering Snow]

Just read this thread for the first time man thats awesome work Dave Matt yours as well.....

How about a road trip to Midland just hardscape my whole place no need to mow then,,:D

Keep up the good work i enjoy looking at the before and afters..

[Landgreen]

Nice work guys. That is something we look forward to doing in the future.

I don't have any projects to post for this year. I suppose I could post some pics of $3K worth of bark mulch that blew out of the beds during a windy day last week. :rolleyes: At least it was some unexpected revenue for cleaning it all up.

[GMC Driver]

Nice work Matt! Love the walls, and nice job on the entrance!

Do you work with the same product all the time? From the pics, it's nothing I recognize right away. For alot of the taller walls we're using Versalok - it doesn't look too bad when you use the tumbled.

Fred - we've travelled before. Just a little tough getting over with tools. That's a big don't!

[hlntoiz]

Thanks for the complements guys. Fred.....at this point I will go where ever the work takes us. :haha

I use mostly techo-bloc (http://www.techo-bloc.com/). They are out of canada. I really like their product. It is very versital and easy to work with. I can get pretty creative. and also Unilock. I do use Versa-lok when the customer wants a cheep wall or it is commercial. I actually just bid a 1200 sq ft one. I am really hoping to get it. It is about 3 weeks of work. (insert praying smiley here)

We just finished another staircase today. I will post before and after pics tomorrow.

[Jerre Heyer]

Matt, you need to show the before and after of that pool and awesome staircase you showed me.

Think that you and Dave might have to show up for an extended stay for the next plows:wink Think the installs might take a week. Dave don't worry about the tools....What Matt doesn't have we'll find for you:D Even try to get you a carry paper to take em back with your REFURBISHED plow.:D:D

Looks awesome guys. It's great to see such craftsmanship. J

[hlntoiz]

Matt, you need to show the before and after of that pool and awesome staircase you showed me.

Think that you and Dave might have to show up for an extended stay for the next plows:wink Think the installs might take a week. Dave don't worry about the tools....What Matt doesn't have we'll find for you:D Even try to get you a carry paper to take em back with your REFURBISHED plow.:D:D

Looks awesome guys. It's great to see such craftsmanship. J

I don't have ones of that job completed. I am hoping this spring to get some. As for coming up there. I have everything we need in my cargo trailer. We will just need a excavator and a dump truck! Lets rock. I would love to do a project with Dave! I will have to come up to get the LP I am trading Dino Erie modded in the fall.

[hlntoiz]

Here is the one we did this week. Pretty simple staircase.

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[GMC Driver]

Going through some pics on the camera, found a few of some projects this summer.

A armour rock wall we installed in preperation of an inground pool:

[GMC Driver]

The end result:

[GMC Driver]

Here's a few of a 'cottage' we did on Lake Erie. Too bad I don't have any before pics, it was a dramtic change.

[GMC Driver]

A few more:

[GMC Driver]

We also did alot of builder work this year. This was a block of model homes, where we had to install all the hardscapes, softscapes, and sprinkler systems. We also have been doing this work for any of the new homes being constructed in this development.

Beginning:

[hlntoiz]

Nice Dave. How much does the "armor rock" weigh? That cottage is really nice. Makes you want to work a little harder to have one some day.

A simple one day walkway. Huge difference on curb appeal

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[GMC Driver]

Installing beds, plantings, and mulch:

[GMC Driver]

Final product:

[hlntoiz]

A restacked stone wall:

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Of course the bigger ones I never tood after pics of. I have to do that in the spring. There are 2 I have to finish plant the grass so I didn't take any pics yet

[GMC Driver]

Matt the rock varies, but averages about a ton per piece. That particular project we had the stone delivered on site from Orillia - about 120 miles north of us. It cost a bit more to do it that way, but this was a affleunt subdivision, and we wanted to minimize the mess and traffic disturbance on the street.

Matt - I love the one or two day stuff. It's usually simple, high impact, and can be extremely profitable. While I like bigger projects, the many variables can lead to losing profitability very quickly. For us this past season, it was the constant fight against the weather - on the larger projects, the rain killed us.

That's all I've got for now. I'll put others up if you want to see more - but I can't seem to find pics for alot of the stuff we did this summer. I guess I was too busy to bother taking pictures of everything - that's not such a bad thing. It's always nice to look back at them though.

[hlntoiz]

Dave, Getting into the developements are nice. Never had a big opportunity. All the builders around here want Cheep and I won't give them that. All the Landscape guys who spent their summers working for these guys are hurting for work now. They would spend half the summer trying to make one guy happy and pissing other customers off. Now that there isn't any building going on they don't have a customer base.

Here are the pics that project Jerre was talking about:

Some before

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[hlntoiz]

A few on progress

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[hlntoiz]

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I actually don't have any pics of the totally completed job:eek: I have to get over there this spring and get some.

[GMC Driver]

Beautiful work Matt! Very nicely done.

What products were installed there? Looks similar to what we use.

[hlntoiz]

Beautiful work Matt! Very nicely done.

What products were installed there? Looks similar to what we use.

Thanks, The Wall was Mini Creta From Techo-bloc and The pavers where Camelot from Unilock. The mini creta is awesome to work with. I can get pretty fancy with the curving. Customers are always happy with the outcome.

I am so supprised you don't use Techo-bloc (http://www.techo-bloc.com/) being from Canada.

[chtucker]

Matt, when are you going to vacation in Colorado...

I have a bunch of projects awaiting you.....

[hlntoiz]

Matt, when are you going to vacation in Colorado...

I have a bunch of projects awaiting you.....

Any chance I get. I would come back out there. Actually the guy who help me build the thal project lives in CO now and I would love to work with him again. We did that project 2 f us 5 weeks to do the whole thing. When there are 2 guys who know what they are doing things go very well.

I have to look up the numbers but there was about 110 tons of brick/pavers. nevermind what is behind/underneath it all. I think about another 150 tons of material (stone, process, stone dust etc.)......I have to actually look up the numbers I would be curious to know.

It is so gradifying to see it finished and say "I did that" I probably should haved been roman!:D:wink

Let me know. It won't be the first time I drove 35+ hours.......

[chtucker]

Any chance I get. I would come back out there. Actually the guy who help me build the thal project lives in CO now and I would love to work with him again. We did that project 2 f us 5 weeks to do the whole thing. When there are 2 guys who know what they are doing things go very well.

I have to look up the numbers but there was about 110 tons of brick/pavers. nevermind what is behind/underneath it all. I think about another 150 tons of material (stone, process, stone dust etc.)......I have to actually look up the numbers I would be curious to know.

It is so gradifying to see it finished and say "I did that" I probably should haved been roman!:D:wink

Let me know. It won't be the first time I drove 35+ hours.......

its only 29 hours;)

[hlntoiz]

its only 29 hours;)

Not pulling 10k:wink

[GMC Driver]

We started using some Techo-Bloc this year. They are starting to make some inroads into our market - they are also a Quebec based company that likes to compete against Permacon - a company with whose products we are very familiar.

[hlntoiz]

I do about 80% of my work with Techo. They are a very high quality and quality control is there. That is very important espeically with the wall block.

[snocrete]

You guys have posted some REALLY nice pics........I dont do pavers/blocks, but have 2 good friends in the landsape industry(each self employed) and have helped them on some walls and patios........in fact 1 of the projects was at my own home, we did a 110ft versaloc wall that goes from 1 block out to 3ft high in the first 40ft then maintains that height for the remainder ....It is really neat work...alot different than doing a concrete wall or stamped patio...................I'll check n see, but i think i may have a few pics of stuff i did this past year..............

[CraftyBigDog]

I have alot more Ill have to resize alot of photos.

[CraftyBigDog]

More!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CraftyBigDog]

Last ones for now!

[hlntoiz]

Nice Crafty, I hate lawn installs, As of this year I am no longer doing lawn installs. Any issues I have ever had where because you plant a lawn the customer doesn't take care of it, dont' water it, it doesn't grow and it is your fault. The finished product is beyond the contractors control so no more for me. Never had issues with any drainage, walls or patios because I could control the finished product.

All the lawn installation equipment got sold. It just isn't worth the headache anymore.