In recent years there has been an increase in DIY projects by many homeowners. With friendly, helpful clerks at home improvement stores, plus hundreds of how-to videos online, just about anyone can create, design, and complete just about any project. You have to have certain skills: creativity and vision, brawn and determination, and a plan for achievement. Otherwise, you can slap something random with a beat that takes ages to finish. I remember a neighbor who planned a rock garden and loaded a bunch of rocks into her trusty wheelbarrow. She tossed and scattered them and returned to her base for load #2. She arrived and was dumped but spread with much less enthusiasm. And now, seven years later, the rock garden remains a mystery and a dream that will probably remain incomplete for a lifetime.

You, dear home improvement individual, have a plan that includes a rough but fairly specific timeline and a definite vision for completion. If you only have a weekend to get the job done, review the size of your project to decide if it’s feasible, and then plan accordingly. If you intend to completely paint your home inside and out and add new trim, you’ve already set yourself up for failure unless you have a group of friendly friends to help you get the job done. Even then, the group of too many helpers who will more often than not offer too much advice can cause your dream project to fade into a distant blur.

This weekend our family decided to put up pavers. Friday night after work the four of us pitched in to clear the areas (driveway, patio, and walkway) of the previous gravel piles that invited and actually encouraged weed growth and loved to be kicked over. left to right until you create holes and mess. replaced organized rocks. The three areas covered approximately 600 square feet. We were lucky because the gravel could be picked up and shoveled to a different area and the ground below was pretty level. Then, with a rake, shovel, and mattock, we smooth the surface and pound it into a level field. With about three hours of work, the first part of the project was completed.

Early Saturday my son drove to the home improvement store to buy pavers. For the driveway he wanted thick pavers measuring 6x12x2, thick enough to support the extra weight of a parked car. One pallet contained 180 stones, just enough for the project. He then bought larger, thinner pavers for the patio and walkway: 16x16x1. Ready to load the first pallet into his truck, he discovered that the seller couldn’t operate a forklift, so there was a long wait while a loader could be obtained. After loading a pallet, this vendor said, “Oh, since he can’t load everything [3 pallets] we’re going to have to void your sales slip and make you buy one load at a time.” Horrified, my son’s face fell, but then the non-forklift driver intervened and said of course he could come back. for more loads using the initial documentation, making up for your lack of small equipment operation skills.

Loading the #1 paver was a breeze with only the occasional re-rake needed to ensure a flat surface. Having purchased a stonecutter blade, the final task of straightening the edges took a long time, but resulted in a beautiful finished project. While this had required only about four hours, the time spent in the shop and unloading (about 6 hours total) meant that only daylight remained to retrieve and unload the second load and then return for the third. But that was okay – the front was complete and looked great and dinner tasted even better after a hard day’s work.

Day 3 led to the installation of the patio and walkway. Once again, having the surface ready increased the speed of installation. In a short time (six hours) the project was complete. The hardest part was loading each pavers one at a time (since they are quite heavy) and then hauling them around the house to the backyard. Many steps were involved. Once again, the stones required smoothing and trimming, but with the skill of pavers firmly ingrained in our brains, we hosted a lovely backyard barbecue on Sunday night to celebrate a paver project well done while my grandson drove his racing bike over and over again and relax. in exhausted bliss.

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