Small landscaping job?? cost?
Question:My husband and I were considering getting a tiny bit of landscaping done to our front yard. We need someone to weed out, re mulch, and plant flowers in our 12 ft by 3 ft flower beds (2) and then put a decorative ring around our tree and mulch that as well. Also 3 small hedges trimmed/shaped up. I found a woman on craigslist who said she loves doing it for friends and family, and I'm her first paying customer. She said she'd charge $100 for labor and materials. Is this a fair price?? I really have NO clue what it should cost. And I'd do it myself but I have no idea how! Thanks :D
Answers:
It really depends on how many weeds there are, how much mulch and what type she will be buying. But it sounds in the neighborhood. As for doing it yourself, it is an easy thing to do and maybe you and your husband could spend a couple of hours together doing this. Just pull up the weeds from the roots. If the ground is dry try wetting it first the roots will come up easier. Plant the flowers. Spread out your mulch and that part is done. Now for the decorative ring. Dig up all the grass in that area, make sure and get all the roots, lay down the decorative ring and then mulch. Buy some trimmers and trim up your hedges. Okay so buy: plants, mulch, decorative ring, trimmers, band-aids and ointment. About $100. You know what, never mind about those few hours spent in the yard with your husband. Hire the lady off of craigslist and go have a nice diner.
$100 for labor and materials to fill a 12x3 patch? With what? Are they annuals? Perennials? Doesn't sound right to me.
Look, in a patch you need to hold back the weeds. You probably need to get weed fabric. Then mulch. Maybe two bags of 2 cu ft. Then there's the plants! OK, Wal-Mart sells impatiens for very cheap but if you want a permanent thing that you don't have to worry about who you hire to do next year, your best bet is to go with perennials. Choosing natives for your area is the most reasonable choice.
You know, half the fun is doing it yourself. Visit your local nursery for ideas. Go to Lowe's and Home Depot websites. Lowe's has a free garden planning tool that it is fun to play with. Do it yourself! That good lady is looking to harvest the blessings of gardening all by herself. I just warn you that gardening is so therapeutic and rewarding, you'll get addicted!
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