Deck vs patio - can't decide?
Dman
3 years ago
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3onthetree
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoGN Builders L.L.C
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Honestly, I can't decide what's wrong with this tree
Comments (39)MrClint, Same deal with citrus and peach trees everywhere here in Fresno. I usually just go knock on the doors of the folks who have huge trees in their front yards, with fruit I like, and ask them if they are "done" harvesting for the year. So far nobody has ever minded me clearing it off. I usually save a bag for them, take as much as my family can eat, and then give the rest to local food closet/church charity places. sklett: really, don't sweat losing the tree. I've lost some myself and I still struggle trying to experiment with my citrus in different locations around my yard. I almost lost a few more this last summer trying to test if container trees could ever acclimate to full southern exposure without shade (nope). Just during the last two weeks I had them in my patio without light, hoping they'd do fine all winter. But I already saw leaves dropping so I had to back-pedal that plan. There is a fine balance between soil temperatures and light they receive and I was too lazy to attempt figuring it out for my micro-climate. It's possible your tree dried out. It's *very* easy to do when you bare root and put it in a new mix that has so much peat in it. I've done it, but caught the problem quick enough. So now when I build a mix with lots of peat, I have to keep misting as I go. Otherwise, you could literally pour 100 gallons of water into a bucket of peat and if it drains out the bottom, only half of your mix is wet. The inside is still bone dry. Either you have to submerge the entire container the first time or make sure the bark was well soaked so that moisture transfers into the peat. Just find some GreenAll bark, open the bag and get it wet, then set it aside somewhere until next spring. You can get a fresh beautiful citrus again when spring arrives. hopefully the bad memories will be forgotten by then and you'll be excited again. Chris...See MoreCan't decide to owner/build or not...
Comments (19)There are several companys that help individuals build their own homes. We are looking at working with Built Green. You pay them a fee and they help you with all the steps of building. We are in the process of working with one of their architects. From there they help you get through the process of bids. They have many different contractors and suppliers that you can work with or you can go out and find your own or do the work yourself. Supposedly because they have so many people using their services they have special deals with many suppliers that can help you save money. We have not reached that stage so I don't know if that is really true. We have talked to several people that have used them and the majority have had positive comments. A few said they felt like it cost them more and would never do it again. I think it depends on how much you are willing to do and the finishes you choose. We have also talked to several people that have built on their own and have struggled with finding good contractors. We have been told that when you are only building one house that the framers, etc. don't consider you a priority since they won't be getting more work from you. If you use a company like Built Green or UBuildIt they have to do a good job or the companys won't keep them on their list. Like I said, we are not to that point so I'm going by what others have told me. I loved your post and it made me laugh and cry. I have been at D for awhile and my husband has pulled me to C kicking and screaming (still clutching my check book). We will be building in a small town outside of Houston, Texas. We are retired and have time to spend all day at the job site. My husband is planning on doing all the electrical and plumbing and then paying someone to check the work and sign off on it since he is not licensed. We will also do the painting and floors. He would like to build the cabinets but you have to have that done to close. So we will probably do what has to be done and then finish later. It is my understanding that you can get a construction loan but you have to convert it to a mortgage in 12 months. So if you can get it finished on your own in that time frame it shouldn't be a problem. Again, we are not there and I am repeating what we have been told. I have also been told that it is difficult to get a construction loan in Texas if you are an individual. One of our new neighbors told us that he created a construction company to get his construction loan. He then became his own GC. He has had a lot of problems finding subs to do a good job. I also agree with what someone else said. You can save money if you don't keep upgrading. We meet someone that build in Houston through Built Green and it cost them $87 per sq. ft. The house was nice but they used cabinets from IKEA and the upstairs floors were sanded and stained deck boards. It is cheaper to build a 2 story. We meet another couple that also built with Built Green. They built a one story very large home with a lot of upgrades. The wife had found some really great bargains on light fixtures and appliances that saved a lot of money. They had sight built cabinets that were painted not stained. Big difference in price. They also had a whole home generator. Their home was $105 per sq. ft. Both of these were finished in 2013. The $ per sq. ft. price does not include the lot but does include wells and septic if needed. Hope this helps. We still have a lot of questions and I will be posting plans soon to ask for help since there are so many talented designers here. One more thing - Built Green offers free classes on the process of building. We missed the first class. The other classes cover site work and foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, finishes, etc. It has been very informative. Since we have not gone through the process I am not recommending Built Green. I just wanted to answer your question....See MoreDeck vs Patio
Comments (11)You can DIY a patio - I did. As Lily Spider said, it is manual labor. Mine took an entire season, primarily weekends - approximately 750 sq. ft. My suggestion is to visit and speak with a local landscape supply lot or a local brick yard. They can advise you on the depth of and correct base installation for your local soil conditions. Yes, they will offer to install but will gladly sell and deliver materials. Personally, I do not believe home centers offer credible guidance for this type of project. Basically you'll need to remove sod and top soil to a necessary depth for your patio. Compact your base in 2-3 inch increments using a plate compactor (rental centers have), install weed block plus a 1" layer of sand atop the compacted base, lay the pavers, sweep sand into the spaces between pavers. How to get started: Draw a detailed plan - include desired features. Consider sun/shade for their placement. I installed the pavers with a grade away from and crowned toward the sides the house. Plotted my slope at 1/4" per foot (in both directions), drove stakes at 3 foot increments and marked the respective elevation for base/sand/patio surface using a transit. Before installing the gravel base, I trenched below my excavation and installed PVC as pathway for electricity and natural gas. Dug holes for and poured concrete footings for a pergola and egress porch. Ours also has a French drainage system to carry rainwater away from the patio as the lot grading does not naturally carry water away. I mention these because NO patio installer will think beyond base/sand/pavers. The long-term stability of the patio is only as good as its base - water and freezing/thawing are the biggest issues to address. Don't skimp on the base - I suggest 4-6 inches for your patio and about 10" for a hot tub but local conditions might cause a variation. Cost - I did ours in 1998. Estimates at that time were in the range of $13-$15 per square foot installed - so 10-12 thousand dollars. Don't remember my total investment but believe it was probably less than 5 thousand plus my labor and includes all of the improvements mentioned above - I know the pergola lumber ran $1,000. After the patio was complete, I engaged a nursery to design the adjacent gardens which I built in subsequent years. If you're still up to the task, get started. I'll share my experience and answer questions but am often away from internet (summer/Corvette/travel) so responses may be delayed. We have one of the most welcoming back lawns in the community and I have long ago forgotten the effort necessary to make it happen. Hope this helps. Good luck....See MoreBuilding Our First Home - Can't Decide on Builder or Floor Plan
Comments (56)Have you looked at other Wedding venues and tried to pick their brains on all the issues you need to be aware of in setting this plan in motion? Have you considered building with a Bed and Breakfast Inn and make your living quarters part of a house and eventual complex. This is what I am talking about developing a Master Plan. Actually, a Business Plan as well. Get educated on local codes, zoning etc. because there might be areas that simply won’t let you do what you want to do. This is another reason to sit down with an architect and s/he can outline potential issues. Then weave in your personal short term objectives. Start with the end in mind. You may be jumping into the pool at the deep end to start to learn how to swim. It can be done, but you can drown too. Any home should have every bedroom with ensuite bathroom. At some point, you might want a separate home and then this house would be readily converted to a B&B for guests of wedding party members etc. it is an exciting venture but get informed. Meet with people who understand and can help you gain knowledge before you go much further. Hoping to help you avoid costly mistakes. This is not a small endeavor....See MoreEmbothrium
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