Hardscapes: DIY or Hire a Professional?

In landscape design, hardscapes can include most features that are not organic. While your lawn, flowers, trees and other landscape elements are all organic plant life, other aspects such as retaining walls, patios, waterfalls and other features often fall under the hardscape category. Many homeowners enjoy a DIY challenge, helping them save money while giving them a sense of accomplishment when the job is finished. But when it comes to hardscapes, when should you leave the task to the professionals?

Many hardscapes are fairly simple structures, making them seem like an easy project for the DIY homeowner. However, even those that only require a few elements like stone, pavers, a shovel and effort can turn out to be much more complicated than they initially seem. Here are a few hardscapes that may be best left to a professional landscaper:

• Retaining walls. Many retaining walls can be created without mortar; just stones, brick or pavers are needed, along with some serious elbow grease. But keep in mind that if you are using a retaining wall for erosion control, you need to build them to exact specifications.
• Koi ponds. Easy enough, right? Buy a DIY kit, dig a hole, install a liner and fill it up with water – or at least that is what you may think. Koi ponds are one of the most common DIY hardscape projects that go wrong.
• Creating a beautiful waterfall in your backyard is more difficult than it looks. Don’t waste time and money trying to do this one yourself. Spend the little extra money to have it done right the first time.

When it comes to hardscapes in landscape design, those that involve earth-moving, water or exact proportions will be best accomplished by a landscaper offering hardscape design. Save yourself frustration, time and even money by hiring a professional.

Posted on behalf of:
Lane Landscaping
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 609-4510