Thanks for all the comments. The LA is DC based. I am near Harrisburg, outside of his normal service area (CL ad ran in Baltimore and was picked up as a "nearby" area to us). He has a guy who is Baltimore based who might be interested in the work, but his interest will be higher if we do more of the project at once rather than phased since that would be a ride for him too. That doesn't perfectly match my fund from cash reserves approach, but the HELOC rate is real low and my employment is stable. The LA would help administer the project, but I believe only if we contract him to do the construction documents vs the concept doc's. Which is a % for the construction docs, plus hourly for the administration (where he might not be local to supervise easily). We re-did the basement in the old house and we juggled contractors which wasn't a ton of fun. I guess I did it for cost savings, but it was certainly work. We (my wife in particular) are organized and capable, but there is always the knowledge gap to deal with. I don't think we'd do it for a neighbor though. The cash benefit is nice, but we'd need the future dividends of the work done right and the improvements being ours, at least for our period of ownership. I prefer the materials LA is proposing. A part of me wonders if it over improves the property to the neighborhood, if the neighbors are all using pavers or blocks. We hope to be in the house ten more years, but it won't be our last place. I expect to take a financial loss on these improvements. But I do expect the improvements to make our place sell faster. The people my wife knows in the expensive neighborhood would definitely let us see their yards. I just don't if the people she knows have done anything. I can find out. I'll ask the LA if he cares if I post the design concept on the net if anyone wants to see what we are working towards.

Hi - I've been using something called Vigoro Tall Fescue with RTF (a self-repairing feature). Click here to see info about it: http://www.vigoro.com/ProductCategories/GrassSeed/TallFescue/ I'm not sure whether or not this type of grass is suited for FL use -- someone else may want to comment on this. I planted my first section last fall, and it's fantastic - although you can faintly see the outline of the pavers, the grass came in great. This spring I finished planting the rest of the paved area, and the grass is already about 2 to 3 inches tall. I give it lots and lots of water. What I do when I plant grass is I thoroughly mix about 80 pounds of top soil, 40 pounds of humus manure (not too strong a manure mix), one 12 oz cup of seed, and about 10 oz of "starter fertilizer". After I spread out this mixture, I cover with something called Emerge. (here's the link to Emerge: http://www.shopping.com/xPC-Mgc_Emerge_for_lawns) This is a miracle process -- my grass always looks wonderful. I used about 100 40 pound bags of top soil and humus/manure so far this year, and I'm quite pleased with the result. Of course, my back is sore, but what the hey? Good luck -- and you probably need to use the "right" grass for central FL.

I have several questions - does anyone have any suggestions on what I can plant around the perimiter of our new paver basketball court? It is in a sunny location most of the day. I'd like something that can withstand possible foot traffic and basketballs. The plantings will be on a gradual slope, 4 feet wide, around 2/3 of the court, which extends into the yard. Should I put mulch, groundcover, shrubs? If I do mulch, will it blow all onto the court and yard or can I "hold" it into place on a gradual hillside? Thanks for your help!

Well, sadly our Jayhawks have reached the end of their March. Villinova shot the lights out of their 3s tonight...so congratulations to their fine team. Sister Jean and her Loyola team met their match also by Michigan....so Villanova and Michigan teams march on to Monday. The finals for the women’s tournament Mississippi State will be playing Norte Dame Sunday...may the best teams win...it has been a great tournament of upsets and surprises for sure!