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Again, we asked three companies to quote on the job. This
time, our expectations were more realistic and we budgeted
more money. We also focused on companies that had demonstrated
strengths in construction, rather than landscaping. We even
visited some of the homeowners listed as references to get
a good idea of what the finished job would look like. In the
end, we selected a small, local firm that operates one crew
at a time under the direction of the owner-foreman.
 |
| The
new patio doors and deck. |
|
|
| The
final stage of the backyard renovation – installing
patio flagstone. |
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The
first day of watching their miniature backhoe dig out the
remains of my garden to create a gravel base for the steps
and flagstone was traumatic. But the workers were courteous,
good-natured and cleaned up after themselves, and we really
appreciated getting the whole job done in one week.
Although our garden renovation took several years, lots of
hard-earned cash and grueling labor, it has all been worth
it. Now we have the backyard of our dreams — an ideal place
to relax and entertain.
Rebecca Last
Master Gardener
Photos
by Suzanne Juneau and Rebecca Last
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