Effective Planning and Smart Budgeting Tips for Successful DIY Landscaping Projects
Landscaping is basically an initiative that revolves around the design, installation, and management of open environments that focus on aesthetic living environments that are sustainable, functional and benefits the environment. In essence a landscaping project enhances a given property’s appeal and value which is among the reason behind homeowners embarking on DIY landscaping projects.
It is important to know that although landscaping projects may present a seemingly ‘simple project outlook’- it is not always the case. More often than not landscaping projects initiated without a detailed landscape plan generally run into a plethora of problems due to the homeowner not having sufficient knowledge of site conditions and choosing to follow paths that are beyond the boundaries of available budgets.
Elements such as budget, selection of plants, choosing materials and incorporating landscaping ideas that are within budget brackets are critical to the success of landscaping projects.
Crucial Planning Steps
Landscaping projects have the potential to easily run aground without proper planning and therefore it is imperative for project owners to start with a draft landscape plan that contains essential details such as site measurements, set markers for existing features, identifying plumbing and underground cable lays, and a rough idea of how the site will look after completion.
This would provide the project owner with a rough guideline of what kind of tools will be needed such as an excavator should be obtain for hire for certain phases of the project. The draft will also provide the project owner with specifics such the size of the excavator taken for hire as the owner of the project will have a better perspective on the yard’s conditions and available space for the excavator to work within.
Generally, for landscaping projects that come under home improvement, small excavators or excavators below 2T should suffice. Rental rates for smaller excavators are also much lower compared to standard excavators and they are generally easier to operate and are much more cost effective compared to manual labour for such projects.
Budgetary Tips
In order to keep the project cost within means and low, it is recommended to use small excavators for hire from Melbourne construction equipment rental companies that offer drop off and pickup services.
Most small excavators that fall within the 2T excavator category come with hydraulic coupling link features, this feature enables the excavator to accommodate a range of hydraulic powered tools that in essence enables the excavator to do just about everything there is to do when it involves a landscaping project. From demolishing, digging, clearing, drilling, grading and even compacting earth, a 2T excavator is more than capable of doing all of the above and more.
As for material purchases, being frugal is critical towards keeping budgets low. Look for second hand material for materials such as gravel or rocks and choose easy to manage plants, use discarded would or shades for awnings, every little bit will help in the end towards keeping the cost of the project as low as possible.