Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It won't be for too long...spring starts next month!
Do you think this contractor is going to do the job right now, before spring? Only if he's desperate for money. You could use that same money, and build yourself a nice-lookin' outdoor kitchen. Just my .02.
It won't be for too long...spring starts next month!
Do you think this contractor is going to do the job right now, before spring? Only if he's desperate for money. You could use that same money, and build yourself a nice-lookin' outdoor kitchen. Just my .02.
Then I need to get myself a second wife....won't i? OHH!
Nothing you posted gives a good idea as to whether you should add the patio or how much you should spend. I'd look at it as what % of the total house value does this expenditure represent, how much use you're getting out of it and whether it's beneficial to resale. You may have entirely different criteria.
If the lack of patio and outdoor space is the major shortfall of your property in it's current condition, perhaps that is a good value. On the other hand if it's just another project the house doesn't really need, it makes no difference what anyone else thinks. It's like asking someone whether you should have steak or chicken for dinner.
I had the same worry about the tree perhaps not getting the water, air, etc., it needs, and the roots buckling up the pavers.
Would it look too weird to put a raised deck around the tree? Even if the deck was just off the ground a foot or so? You could use that nice decking material that is made out of vinyl/plastic so it won't need to be fussed with constantly or splinter anyone, and they make really nice stuff now that looks like wood.
Here's a site with some photos of decks around trees:
Nothing you posted gives a good idea as to whether you should add the patio or how much you should spend. I'd look at it as what % of the total house value does this expenditure represent, how much use you're getting out of it and whether it's beneficial to resale. You may have entirely different criteria.
If the lack of patio and outdoor space is the major shortfall of your property in it's current condition, perhaps that is a good value. On the other hand if it's just another project the house doesn't really need, it makes no difference what anyone else thinks. It's like asking someone whether you should have steak or chicken for dinner.
Yes, you're right for the most part. i understand.
the house is about 550k. we currently don't use the area as often as we should due to it being 'ugly' a bit....and we're worried about snakes, etc. with our kids.....also, it's a b*&CH to clean the leaves from there...the firepit is also looking bad since it was made with flagstone and it's cracked due to heat. anyway, maybe we just haven't maintained the 1500 job someone did for us 3-4 years ago on the area.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by harry chickpea
Other than being a hiding spot for rodents and insects, that could certainly work.
oh boy. you're right....i hadn't thought about that....lol
$550K? That would be extreme fixer territory in my area. You probably need to replace the heating, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, siding, drainage, insulation and perhaps shore up the foundation a bit before putting any money into something fancy like a patio.
$550K? That would be extreme fixer territory in my area. You probably need to replace the heating, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, siding, drainage, insulation and perhaps shore up the foundation a bit before putting any money into something fancy like a patio.
You know nothing, and seem to be full of assumptions.
Did it occur to you that maybe i don't live 'in your area'?
You know nothing, and seem to be full of assumptions.
Did it occur to you that maybe i don't live 'in your area'?
What else do I have to go on? You could have at least included some pictures of the area or diagrams of the work, some discussion of materials or comparison of contractor proposals for site grading and such. How could anyone guess whether it's a good price? You make it sound like your going to either smother a tree or set it on fire one night, lol.
No! You'll either kill the tree, or you'll be cussin' the contractor because the pavers keep getting uneven (not he's fault)because of the tree roots. And adding additional base for pavers is just smothering the roots- making the tree die faster!
Spend the money on an outdoor kitchen(?)
For 11 grand, I think you should be able to get a patio AND a kitchen. Plus they're using pavers and sand? Those are cheap.
I'd definitely agree that you need to not damage the tree. Get more quotes. Unless you are using some really expensive and nice non-local stone, you can probably get a better price.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
