Want to add a little flair to your backyard? Marathon a few outdoor improvement shows on HGTV, and you’re probably itching to install a koi pond or tear down the porch and build a new multi-level deck. There are a few small backyard projects you can set aside a Saturday afternoon to take care of: replacing a broken patio paver or two, planting new perennials in the side garden, or weeding the lawn. We all enjoy that sense of accomplishment at fixing something with your own two hands and ticking another item off the “to-do” list. Still, larger projects are best left in the hands of professionals in most cases. Here’s why:
Time
Tackling a project on the weekends is all well and good, until it comes time for summer yard parties, weekends at the cottage, and fishing trips. Suddenly it’s September and the shovel hasn’t even broken ground. Even if you are able to set aside time on the weekends to work on the project, it’s all too easy to underestimate the amount of time it will take. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to finish within the planned time frame due to factors outside of your control, like weather. When you hire a pro, you can spend your free time on the weekends relaxing and recharging, not stressing about your DIY project and making endless round trips to Home Depot.
Tools & Equipment
As a homeowner you likely have a shovel and rake, hammer and screwdriver, but do you have access to specialized tools like an excavator or rototiller? Do you have access to a pickup truck or trailer to haul soil, river rock, or interlock pavers from the home improvement store to your backyard? Either you’ll have to do it by hand (which could take ten times as long), lean on the goodness of a friend with the necessary equipment, pay rental fees, or invest in expensive equipment and tools you may only need once. A professional, on the other hand, has full access to a wide range of tools and equipment to get the job done with precision in a timely manner.
Training & Expertise
Think of it this way: when it comes to tax season, it’s no trouble to do your own taxes if all you have is a T4 slip. But if you own a business, hold many investments, or have to worry about capital gains, you’re going to want to hire a pro. Why? Because they have the expertise, they have the training, and most importantly they will help you take advantage of every deduction possible. The same logic applies with landscape design and build. While you have training and expertise in your profession, landscape companies have experienced staff with training, certifications in landscape design and construction, among other specializations.
Removal & Cleanup
You may love to cook – but do you like doing the dishes afterward? You can hide the dishes away in the sink while guests enjoy your tasty creations, but you can’t hide backyard debris in quite the same way. Cleaning up the site and removing tree stumps, soil, yard waste, and construction debris is the final stage of the project, and it can’t be overlooked. Pros will safely remove waste and debris so your renovated backyard looks finished.
When it comes time to build your dream yard, you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on the expertise and professionalism of a landscape construction and design firm and watch the magic.