KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

hows the condition of the fence? you may want to paint/refinish the fence first..

sporting

I've actually pressure washed the whole back yard fence about 6 months ago, it was crazy dirty then. But yea I will stain it in the future.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i only say do it now before you get the shrubs in there... i had to work on my fence after i planted all my privacy trees and it was a pain...

sporting

I hear ya. I actually would enjoy this more if $ were not a factor.

chill_dog

^LOL, I bet. I love the new patio.

sporting

^ Thanks Chill_Dog. I love it too! Time for outdoor patio furniture so I can chill with my dog, no pun intended!

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

home depot... i got a cheap set last year...

hornyleprechaun

Got my dining set from HD last year too. 6 chairs & rectangular table for $400-$500.

sporting

Nice, I'll have to take a look then.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

agree $$$ is what is holding me back on the kitchen reno... appliances are expensive!!!!

i think i caught a sale and got mine for $300... i could have sworn there was a thread on here...

stogie1020

As an alternative to asphalt to the future shed, you could go grass and just run two paths of sunken pavers to drive on. Might look more homogenous than grass, concrete and asphalt all together.

sporting

^ Good idea, one reason for the asphalt was I was thinking in the future if I am working on "stuff" like buy bark or soil I can just dump it on the asphalt and its easy to cleanup. But you have a great idea though! Thanks.

stogie1020

Keep the updates coming!

sporting

^Of course. Sometimes I wish I didn't have such a big yard... Too much to do and too much $$$ to spend.

chill_dog

But you'll have to edge/trim the grass along the pavers = more work = bad. Trust me on that.

Pave as much as you can...especially if you aren't charged for storm water based on impervious areas.


A big yard? Really? Just from looking at your pictures, I'll be happy to trade you. I used to think my yard (0.37 acres) was small until I had to deal with it. Granted, I'm on a corner with planting strips, but even discounting that, it's a lot of time. Now I know why my parents spent a nice chunk naturalizing a large portion of their yard.

sporting

^ I guess 12k lot is big to me, at least being in the city. Yours is about ~17k lot?

chill_dog

Just over 16k, overall. I have a lot of non-maintenance areas (house, garage, sidewalks, driveway, patio, bushes/trees), but it's still more than I want. The lot's big for my neighborhood (most are ~0.25 acres), but small compared to what I grew up with as "normal". I'm at the point where if it can't be cut, edged, trimmed, and blown in less than an hour, it's too much/too big. The less you have to deal with on a regular basis, the better. It's cool at first when it's your first place, but it gets old really fast...the things you learn . I guess it's from my mindset/hindsight that I say pave back to your future shed...it won't look as nice as the pavers, but it will be easier to maintain .

Street Spirit

Don't pave. It'll look nasty.

sporting

Asphalt doesn't look too shabby? A random pic.

Street Spirit

But that flows. Having 3 different materials all next to each other "just because it's less maintenance" doesn't make it the best for asthetics. The picture above obviously shows forethought and purpose.

sporting

You are not helping me save $$ here.

Street Spirit

Doesn't mean you need to fix your yard up 100% all within a one month span. Do the necessities first and then prioritize over the next few years.

I mean, I could pave my entire front and back yard and that would cost me zero time and maintenance, but that would obviously :thumbsdow
Think of a nice yard and landscape that you can enjoy, that won't mean 5 hours a week in maintenance, but that'll also look nice. You want to be able to sit back there and have friends back there and (no offense) probably not want to stare at grey concrete and black asphalt the whole time. Plus, when it comes time for re-sale, families with kids or people with dogs won't want so much artificial (paved) space...they'll probably want a little bit of pretty yard, and a little bit of paved area...both serve their purposes.

Just my opinion though...

chill_dog

The cheapest solution is to just leave it as grass. You can have mulch dumped in your driveway.

sporting

To be continued...

stogie1020

No need to edge around the pavers if you go that route. Actually, let them get "grown around" and they will blend in nicely, but still be there if you want the support for something to drive back that way. Once every couple of months, take ten minutes and a flat blade shovel and clear any dirt/grass off them.

Something like this without the little grass dividers (or with):

sporting

Just bought a Stihl FS 90 R Trimmer.



It was expensive, but it sounds great and feels smooth. Anyone have one and what is your opinion on it?

sporting

OK well I guess no one uses weed trimmers on azine... On to the next product.

Oh by the way, that Stihl FS 90R kicks butt!



How about this, I am looking to purchase an attic fan and my research has pointed me at this company, Attic Breeze Link as far as a quality product and lifetime warranty is concerned...

But I really don't want to spend $500+ for a fan. Any other recommendation if you have used this or another brand, hopefully a cheaper but somewhat decent product?

1StGenCL

Love my echo trimmer but i hear stihl makes a quality product

sporting

I was looking at the echo too, but in the end I picked the stihl since it has the solid shaft, which they say should be sturdier.

1StGenCL

Damn, I just looked through this whole thread, nice effing work, place looks amazing! Keep it up

Stogie's right, grass and pavers can look great and make it look a bit less bland

pmptx

Stihl Kombi unit-it is a fantastic motor.

Smooth. Had it for 6 years and it rocks.

sporting

^ Still easy to start after 6 years? I think easy starts is a big selling point for weed trimmers.

sporting

Little update. Finally was able to pull the hundreds of nails off of the old deck wood. (Plus I cut the rotted part off so I can use the wood for my new shed.)


Little Gadget I got today for the roof. $$$


Here is all the front yard stuff I had done, it's been roughly a year since the driveway was poured. And by this weekend, the house will look a little different. Pictures when done.
Before:

After:

stogie1020

Looks good! Nice carport.

How much money will it take to bribe your neighbor to paint his house anything but sherbert green?

sporting

^ He's a cool guy, but his girlfriend is the owner... I will be painting my home in the near future. But the change this weekend will be great I think.

Carport was the way to go for me, hence I did not want/have to deal with permitting/city. It is pretty sturdy, I bolt it to the concrete!

rkan121

very nice, i am in the midest of a upgraded driveway myself. except I am in DIY mode, which requires hard labor........arggg. the hard part is done now...ie bobcat, soil removal, limestone. costed me $1000 so far. the next step is 2x4s postes and alot of cement.......i am excited

sporting

GL rkan... I can tell you it is LABORsome! That is why I paid someone else to do it. How big is your driveway?

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Looks great

rkan121

The main pad is 70x 11: plus little walkway and another pad under my deck. Ill get picks up soon. My yard was ripped part by the bobcat. I have alot of raking and grass seed ahead as well. + mulch and in 90 + degree heat...ouch

rkan121