Hardscape Projects You Should & Should Not DIY

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, hardscaping is not simple! A good hardscape contractor will have years of training and experience. We can’t tell you how many times we end up in someones’ backyard after a botched attempted at a DIY project. To save you time and money, we made a list of 10 projects we believe you should and shouldn’t DIY. If you ever have any questions, we’d love to chat. Outdoor living spaces are our passion, and we want to make sure your job gets done right the first time. Click here to get a free estimate from one of our designers.

 1). Annual Blooms

Annual flower beds are a great DIY project for most homeowners. If you enjoy this kind of work, you should go for it! Flowers are easily purchased at your nearest hardware store. If you’re trying to save a few bucks, you can totally tackle this project on your own.

2). Flagstone Paths

Let’s be clear! We’re not talking about a flagstone patio or pathway that is secured with concrete. If you’re looking for an affordable pathway, laying down some flagstone looks beautiful and is very functional. Use caution while picking these up! They can be a lot heavier than they look.

3). River Rock Beds

If you’re looking for a low maintenance option for your landscaping, river rock beds are awesome. River rock can be purchased at your local hardware store. These bags are usually very heavy so make sure you ask a friend for help!

 4). Yard Fertilization & Upkeep

Maintaining a beautiful lawn is a lot of hard work! There’s more to it than just mowing. Keeping a lawn trim, watered and fertilized is very time consuming. If you enjoy this sort of work, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go for it.

5). Gardening

Who wouldn’t love having their very own garden? Growing herbs and vegetables is a great way to get your family excited to eat healthy food. You can also easily DIY the garden environment. Click here for a tutorial on this cedar raise garden bed.

1). Covered Structures

Covered structures are highly complex and require extensive knowledge and experience. These projects will also need a permit in order to get started. If you skip this step, you could be facing major problems when it comes time to sell your home.

2). Paver Patios & Pathways

We’ve all seen a paver job gone bad. Pavers can easily shift and crack if they are not installed correctly. If you’re going to put the time, money and energy in something, we don’t suggest attempting a paver patio installation.

3). Drainage Solutions

Ahh! The devil of hardscapes. Drainage is the number one reason why most DIY hardscape projects fail. If your patio isn’t installed properly to accommodate a proper drainage plan, you’ll be tearing the sucker up in no time.

4). Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are often attempted as DIY projects. Want to know a secret? We contract an ARCHITECT on our retaining wall projects! There’s no shame in asking for help to get the job done right. Hiring a contractor will likely extend the lifespan of your retaining wall and will ensure that the project is safe and functional.

5). Pools

This one’s pretty obvious, but there are people who actually attempt a pool job on their own! Pools are an expensive project and there really isn’t a way around that. When you’re spending money, you want your project to last. Trust us on this one and do it right the first time.

 Conclusion

We understand that some people prefer to tackle their hardscape projects on their own — and that’s fine! However, if  you’re looking for an expert, we’d love to help you out. We’ve been in business for over 10 years. We serve Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Feel free to contact us for a FREE, no obligation, bid from one of our designers. We look forward to working with you!

Kansas City, Hardscape, Lee’s Summit, Patio, Paver Patio, Stamped Concrete Patio, Hardscaping, Overland Park, Missouri, Kansas, Fire Pit, Pool, DIY,