What you don't know can hurt you, during a landscaping project.
Before doing your own landscape project, be sure you fully understand the work load involved, the tools and materials needed, and finally the cost of the finished product vs. hiring a professional.
Many of us DIY'ers can have a tendency to bite off more than we can chew. Doing your research can save you hassle, money, and potentially an accident leaving you, the homeowner dealing with the mess.
Sometimes what needs to be done appears so obvious, and our desire to save money, while getting what we want can blind us into believing that "we can handle" what ever
challenges we might end up facing.
Consult, receive bids and do your research first before getting a loan, or starting a project.
Recently I met with a potential client who had a successful retail store. His rent in a local mall had increased to the point that he decided to move his business to a new location. He purchased an old fueling station for a song, and went through the process of securing the loans needed for the remodeling. That was his first mistake, he never got in touch with a landscaping company or other contractors first, to find out how much exactly he would need. He did finally secure a loan, however, for $25,000 less than he actually needed. Now he continues to pay overhead on a property he is making no income on. His business is suffering, because he believed he had all of the answers. He assumed that if he involved himself in the construction project that he would save money, and make smarter decisions than the hired contractors. He has no back ground in construction, his ego cost him the ability to even get to hinder his own construction project!
Do your research on the physical and material demands of the project before assuming doing it yourself will save you money.
My business partner and I met with a homeowner for an at home estimate a few weeks ago. She and a relative had decided to mulch her driveway themselves to save money and improve the appearance of her landscape. While the initial finished project looked nice, they had only covered the ground with mulch, never considering the use of landscape fabric and staples to prevent growth of weeds, and erosion from the near record rainfall. We were called to provide an estimate to repair it. Consider that, not being professional landscapers that it took them only twice as long as a contractor (which I am certain it took them much longer), they still had to select and transport the mulch, which is a fairly physical task for the average non working person. And while assuming if she had done everything perfectly, there is a remote chance the mulch could have eroded away regardless, she left herself holding the bag when she could have hired someone willing to provide her with a warranty.
These are two relatively extreme examples from the extremely high cost to the low, but the causes and effects were the same. These two clients were too greedy and or cheap to realize hiring professionals would have saved them time, money, and frustration.
Know your limits.
I'm not saying that doing your own work is out of the question. But what I am saying, is that specialized trade work requires mentoring and experience to be done correctly.
Be honest and ask yourself these five questions:
How many times have I done something like this?
Who can I call for advice that knows about what I am attempting?
Who can I call if something goes wrong?
If I fail, how much will the repair cost me?
Am I physically capable / do I need help?
I would recommend finding at least two professional estimates regardless of what project you want done around your home. Regardless if you'd like to do the work yourself or not. It provides a good insight into what things are worth attempting and what aren't, and it can provide you with a good amount of free advice from a professional that is eager to answer your questions.
Whether you are a an experienced and skilled DIY'er, or a homeowner simply looking to save a dollar, being honest with yourself and doing your research will save you time, money, and frustration what ever the size and scope of the project.