Retaining wall

[bruces]

whats wrong with the old wall ?if theres nothing really wrong with it and they just want it updated then depending on the types of construction between the two,you may get off easy by just removing the upper sections leaving the base.If the wall is cracked and crumbling [highly likely ] ,then you have a much bigger problem on your hands .

[jymie]

Lawn care business tips

The old wall was erected with slate rock. She does not like the way it looks and wants to change it out for landscape bricking into a wall. Measures about 2 ft high, with a gradual decline and curves around the front. The lawn butts up against the stones there now. Looking at about 50 feet in length.

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. http://www.lunchesruslawncare.com

[Steve]

Have you priced out the materials needed for that wall? Does the customer know what they want to use instead?

[Grass Doctor]

i am going to give a rough appraisal just by my experience so u say 50 ft x3ft high of retaining wall that's around 200 pieces of block if u use a L12x8x10 stone i will buy 350 just in case, at 3.00 for each stone will around 1150.00 in stone plus delivery + 5 yards of soil+5 yards limestone or water ever u want to call it dust rock, base material this a very simple wall it wont be holding a lot of pressure most call a decorative garden wall. after 3 feet high u will need a net for to put soil and reinforced ur wall will be around 4 ft high i will cap it and build a lot of **** around that pillars etc.
so the material a will appraised at 2255.00

now comes the fun u have to remove around 2 to 3 feet of soil in decline for back filling then dig the down to bury an entire block, so lets say if ur block is 8 inches high u have to dig around 11 to 12 in X 2 ft so u put base material to make ur bed and level the blocks, look for the lowest point to bury your first row then that's the way to go easy as that retaining walls its easy and they are big money makers. i totally love them and they love me back.

so how much for the labor i can do a 150ft X 4ft high by self and 4 days. ive done 100ft in 2 days i charge 2500.00 to 3500.00 bucks for 3 days of work and guarantied the wall for 5 years, if u know what u doing .

so ur total will be 5755.00 just for the retaining wall, there is more u can do that place needs a lift up to much darkness, color will enhance the beauty and the value of it try to sell some plants some mulch.

you can easy come with 10,000 grands or more from that place if u do your appraisal right.

i usually do 2 appraisal. What the client ask for, and i call it Landscapers choice. always say that if it was my house i will have it done my way.
this works every time.

[jymie]

thanks for that info, we are giving her 2 separate estimates, one for the wall, and one for mulch install with bush trimming. She does not plan to do the wall until probably next spring or summer. So she is looking for a price for that only for right now.

[Steve]

What did you decide to go with in your wall bid for the job? Do you feel it will be easier for you to bid on retaining walls in the future?

[jymie]

We are doing the work for the bushes and the beds, we are not going to take on the work to do the wall. After getting a closer look at the wall of slate that is there now, and seeing the mound of grass pushing against it, I doubt that I would feel comfortable trying to do this work. I told her that we never did a wall before and honestly I don't want to use her yard to learn. She seems OK with that, I then said, I could probably sublet the work out to someone that does walls, so I will see if she wants me to do that. That way at least maybe I can have my guys there to observe and learn how to do it the right way.

[dougcaskey]

Originally Posted by jymie

We are doing the work for the bushes and the beds, we are not going to take on the work to do the wall. After getting a closer look at the wall of slate that is there now, and seeing the mound of grass pushing against it, I doubt that I would feel comfortable trying to do this work. I told her that we never did a wall before and honestly I don't want to use her yard to learn. She seems OK with that, I then said, I could probably sublet the work out to someone that does walls, so I will see if she wants me to do that. That way at least maybe I can have my guys there to observe and learn how to do it the right way.

Smart move and yes thats a great way to learn on the job...

[Hedgemaster]

I find that most clients are more appreciative of an honest "that's beyond my scope", than if you try and fudge your way through something.

You win bonus points for that.

[Steve]

i usually do 2 appraisal. What the client ask for, and i call it Landscapers choice.

With your two estimates, is there a standard percentage increase you like to hit with your 'landscapers choice' bid price?

Like for instance, do you give one price of $X and the landscaper's choice is usually 20% more? Or does it all just depend on the job and what you think would be the ideal way to do it and price it?