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Posted by Mark and Kim Smith on February 7, 2007, 3:06 pm
Jake wrote:
>So is a good compromise to hire a contractor to do the digging (since
>I dont have anything to do with all that dirt). The rest I could
>potentially do myself and not screw anything up?
>
>
Sure! There really isn't anything to mess up as long as you calculate
the right amount of materials, double check your measurements and levels
and take your time. Look around online. There are a few tutorials
(pavetech.com??, hometime) and some places will send you free info.
http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/patios.htm
http://www.pavetech.com/guides/complete.htm
>
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>
>>Jake wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I am going to make an attempt to install pavers in my back yard. I
>>>want to make a fairly large patio - (the length of my home and at
>>>least twelve feet out) + a walkway in the side yard. I would like
>>>some advice from someone who has taken on a project like this. I have
>>>heard it is fairly simple, but backbreaking. Here are a few of the
>>>things I would like to find out more about:
>>>
>>>
>>>1) Is this REALLY a do-it-yourself project or is this the sort of
>>>thing thats better left to a pro?
>>>
>>>
>>I just did this: http://www.bunchobikes.com/pond166.jpg
http://www.bunchobikes.com/pond167.jpg
>>
>>I have a 13' x 60' area planned by the end of summer. All done by me.
>>The kids didn't even help!! Pick, shovel, wheel barrel and a pair of
>>gloves.
>>
>>
>>
>>>2) For such a large space, and limited amount of time (weekends),
>>>would I (and 1 other person) be able to complete this in a few
>>>weekends or is this the sort of project you have to finish right
>>>away.
>>>
>>>
>>Take your time. The only rush I had was to get the rental compactor
>>back to the store.
>>
>>
>>
>>>3) Is it cost effective to do it myself? I plan on getting quotes
>>>eventually, but am I going to end up saving a lot of money by doing it
>>>myself or is it only marginally more expensive to hire a contractor to
>>>do it.
>>>
>>>
>>I think that I estimated that doing cement myself would have been
>>cheaper, but that was too back breaking and I had no one to help. So
>>the slightly extra cost of the pavers was worth it.
>>
>>My procedure, less the cement work, was to dig down 7". Lay 4" of Class
>>II base. Compact. Screed a layer of paver sand ( high.) Set pavers.
>>Compact. Cover pavers with sand. Compact. Sweep off sand. Enjoy look
>>of new paver driveway!
>>
>>
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