Your channel is so good. The information is just what I need for my patio project. I’m replacing my old octagon/ stop sign pavers and making the patio twice as big. I’ve learned so much and am confident I can get a good result. I had the job estimated by a local contractor, 2 years ago but I couldn’t get him to come back and do the job. I got tired of chasing him down so I gave up and decided to do it myself.
Thanks for the great feedback! And it sounds like you got a good project on your hands. I'm glad the videos have been helpful and I wish you the best of luck with your project! ✌
Contractors that don’t come back aren’t hungry enough. They only want the big high dollar jobs. I’m finding the same issue. Had one guy I wanted to come out and do a design of the yard for his $50 fee thru our local nursery to say on the phone that if it’s not at least a $7500 project then he’s not coming out. Of course I had no idea what it would cost for the agreed upon design so I told him he’s in the wrong business and a few other things. If I wasn’t old I’d just watch these videos and do it myself.
I've been working on my yard because of you man. Just ripped out some concrete, now currently grading the dirt. After will be first layer of 3/4in gravel baby.
Nice job. If I were the customer, I would left the pathway crush stone around the stepping stones and then an edge for the mulch/ garden area. But hey, it looks great either way.. good job as always
Thank you! and I hear you on the stone. I gave an option for decorative stone around the steppers but they wanted to stick with mulch.. I think it will look more completed when the customer gets more plants / shrubs to fill in the open bed space.
Question! Did you just put soil and mulch right over the gravel base? I’m in the process of doing pavers and curious how once everything is laid and cleaning things up, should I put fabric over top the gravel base in areas where dirt or mulch will go to backfill around the paver edges? I hope this makes sense! Just curious if over time the dirt would migrate down into your gravel base and cause issues?
Hey man. Great vid again. Have you ever layed thermal finish flagstone? It’s 1 inch thick. If so can you use the same chipstone aggregate to lay it on?
Thanks man! I have not layed thermal flagstone but plenty of bluestone / granite pattern stock which is 1" - 1-1/4" thick on chip stone. You certainly can and is far better than sand or stone dust. It will keep the stone dry and is much less likely to shift / sink like sand or stone dust will. ✌
New subscriber here. Thinking about doing my backyard out here in California. Love your work and helpful tips. Thank you. Also really really like those pavers. Wondering if I can find them local. You mentioned about 20". So i'm guessing they're a little wider than that. I'm afraid to ask how much they are a piece. lol (i'm sure out of my price range haha. My luck!) Keep up the great work man!
Awesome, thanks for the support! Here is a link to the stepping stones I used 👉www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/maya?parent=9d13750b-6e6d-485c-b14b-8a9f8622ad18
Fabulous result. Love the mulch around the stones. Dirt and leaves will find their way onto crushed stone so you're never going to have it look as clean as day 1. A few questions if you have time: (1) are there any guidelines / regulations about height of the steps w/r/t the grass? (2) does the concrete move around / break up when you have extreme cold temps and snow? (3) since you put down the mulch atop the stone, will that invite the grass edge to "move in"? p.s. the wifey is very sweet. you guys make a nice team (includes Ben as well)
Thank you very much. I kept the stones at the height of the grass and kept the mulch slightly below the top of the stones. That helps prevent the stones from getting dirty. And the 3/4 clean stone underneath really helps with water drainage. That stone is also what helps prevent the concrete from heaving / cracking during the winter. That is a huge part of an install like this. And the edge of the grass will always want to move in, but with proper maintenance, no problem at all. I am very blessed to have them by my side for sure. Thanks again ✌
1/4 pitch is when the bubble just touches the line on the level you are using. Check out this video to see what I mean 👉ua-cam.com/video/Y5l7xLCZeyk/v-deo.html
Looks great! Did you lay the mulch on top of the gravel? Also, did you use another layer of fabric before laying the mulch? Would like to use this same method and would like to know if drainage would be an issue...
Thank you! We spread the mulch right over the stone. The water will drain right through the mulch and into the stone, eventually permeating into the subsoil. You will not have any water issues with this method ✌
I enjoy watching you guys. It’s great to see work done properly. However that great looking stepping stone path would be a terrible idea for older or disabled customers visitors. I would do this with a non front door destination like to our creek.
Thanks for the feedback and I understand what you mean.. but this is a more budget friendly option and sometimes that is the way it goes. These stepping stones are very deep though which is excellent for double stepping if an elderly person had to walk on them.
@@christopherodonnell well the mulch is on top of the gravel.. I would have went with slate chips on the paver bed surrounding the pavers and cut a edge and had the mulch just inside if the planting bed .. that's a pretty steep drop off.. the excavation will help the most in how they installed the first 6 steps..that's what is going to keep it from all washing out now that I think of it
@@Danthomas829 I would think the rain would go right through the mulch and to the gravel before it could pool…unless there was a downspout or some other kind of flow of water pushing the mulch. I just finished my own step stone walkway with gravel and now I’m considering topping it with mulch. The contrast looks great.
@christopherodonnell The rain will most certainly drain through the mulch and into the stone. That is exactly why we prepared the base that way. I did offer the idea of decorative stone around the steppers but the customer wanted mulch. I think what takes away from it is all the open space in the mulch bed.... But the customer will be filling in all those areas with plants / shrubs. ✌
I would have preferred just a simple smooth sloping concrete walkway without having to use steps. Older people and the handicapped would appreciate that more. But to each his own.
Your channel is so good. The information is just what I need for my patio project. I’m replacing my old octagon/ stop sign pavers and making the patio twice as big. I’ve learned so much and am confident I can get a good result. I had the job estimated by a local contractor, 2 years ago but I couldn’t get him to come back and do the job. I got tired of chasing him down so I gave up and decided to do it myself.
Thanks for the great feedback! And it sounds like you got a good project on your hands. I'm glad the videos have been helpful and I wish you the best of luck with your project! ✌
Contractors that don’t come back aren’t hungry enough. They only want the big high dollar jobs. I’m finding the same issue. Had one guy I wanted to come out and do a design of the yard for his $50 fee thru our local nursery to say on the phone that if it’s not at least a $7500 project then he’s not coming out. Of course I had no idea what it would cost for the agreed upon design so I told him he’s in the wrong business and a few other things. If I wasn’t old I’d just watch these videos and do it myself.
love the story telling w walking on the steps the lil shot w the go pro of yur feet. those lil broll is what sets ppl apart on yt. good job bro
Thanks brother, I totally agree that the B roll is very important. I hope all is well with you man ✌
I've been working on my yard because of you man. Just ripped out some concrete, now currently grading the dirt. After will be first layer of 3/4in gravel baby.
That's awesome brother! It is very fun work and will be rewarding at the end. Good luck and enjoy the process! ✌
This looks so good. You guys did wonderful work.
Thank you very much, we try! ✌
terrific job love the design and materials used
Thank you! ✌
Absolutely gorgeous as always! Been watching your videos for awhile and your work is always top notch.....
Thank you very much, I appreciate the feedback! It is very motivating ✌
I thought I was watching Zoolander at first and there was going to be a walk-off. Looks awesome with the contrasting light stone and mulch.
🤣 Thanks, I liked how it came out as well ✌
Nice job. If I were the customer, I would left the pathway crush stone around the stepping stones and then an edge for the mulch/ garden area. But hey, it looks great either way.. good job as always
Thank you! and I hear you on the stone. I gave an option for decorative stone around the steppers but they wanted to stick with mulch.. I think it will look more completed when the customer gets more plants / shrubs to fill in the open bed space.
Nice work fellas from one craftsman to another 👍🏿
Thank you ✌
Turning out great brother.👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
✌
gorgeous!
Thanks! ✌
Two thumbs up... 👍👍
✌
Looks great man 👍🏻
Thanks 👍
Wouldn't have thought to mulch it all and incorporate the walkway into the bed, but I actually like it better this way.....very nice!
It is a little out of the ordinary, I like how it came out as well! ✌
amazing!
Thanks!
Well done🎉🎉🎉
Question! Did you just put soil and mulch right over the gravel base? I’m in the process of doing pavers and curious how once everything is laid and cleaning things up, should I put fabric over top the gravel base in areas where dirt or mulch will go to backfill around the paver edges? I hope this makes sense! Just curious if over time the dirt would migrate down into your gravel base and cause issues?
Nice n clean work🎯💯
Thank you ✌
How many stepping stones can 1 bag of mortar complete?
About 1/2 - 2/3 a bag of mortar per stepping stone
Question instead of mulch can I put 3/8 white stone in between the stepping stones
Absolutely ✌
Hey man. Great vid again. Have you ever layed thermal finish flagstone? It’s 1 inch thick. If so can you use the same chipstone aggregate to lay it on?
Thanks man! I have not layed thermal flagstone but plenty of bluestone / granite pattern stock which is 1" - 1-1/4" thick on chip stone. You certainly can and is far better than sand or stone dust. It will keep the stone dry and is much less likely to shift / sink like sand or stone dust will. ✌
Where do I find stepping stones like this without buying in bulk?
New subscriber here. Thinking about doing my backyard out here in California. Love your work and helpful tips. Thank you. Also really really like those pavers. Wondering if I can find them local. You mentioned about 20". So i'm guessing they're a little wider than that. I'm afraid to ask how much they are a piece. lol (i'm sure out of my price range haha. My luck!) Keep up the great work man!
Awesome, thanks for the support!
Here is a link to the stepping stones I used 👉www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/maya?parent=9d13750b-6e6d-485c-b14b-8a9f8622ad18
I think it's easier to level them.
We do that at where I work for large stones and pavers. 👍
A1 job
Edging looks awesome.
It certainly does, great technique. Thank you ✌
Fabulous result. Love the mulch around the stones. Dirt and leaves will find their way onto crushed stone so you're never going to have it look as clean as day 1. A few questions if you have time:
(1) are there any guidelines / regulations about height of the steps w/r/t the grass?
(2) does the concrete move around / break up when you have extreme cold temps and snow?
(3) since you put down the mulch atop the stone, will that invite the grass edge to "move in"?
p.s. the wifey is very sweet. you guys make a nice team (includes Ben as well)
Thank you very much. I kept the stones at the height of the grass and kept the mulch slightly below the top of the stones. That helps prevent the stones from getting dirty. And the 3/4 clean stone underneath really helps with water drainage. That stone is also what helps prevent the concrete from heaving / cracking during the winter. That is a huge part of an install like this. And the edge of the grass will always want to move in, but with proper maintenance, no problem at all.
I am very blessed to have them by my side for sure. Thanks again ✌
When you say, “ 1/4 pitch” do you mean 1/4 of the bubble?
1/4 pitch is when the bubble just touches the line on the level you are using. Check out this video to see what I mean 👉ua-cam.com/video/Y5l7xLCZeyk/v-deo.html
@@TheChristianHardscaper Thank you!
Looks great! Did you lay the mulch on top of the gravel? Also, did you use another layer of fabric before laying the mulch? Would like to use this same method and would like to know if drainage would be an issue...
Thank you! We spread the mulch right over the stone. The water will drain right through the mulch and into the stone, eventually permeating into the subsoil. You will not have any water issues with this method ✌
I enjoy watching you guys. It’s great to see work done properly. However that great looking stepping stone path would be a terrible idea for older or disabled customers visitors.
I would do this with a non front door destination like to our creek.
Thanks for the feedback and I understand what you mean.. but this is a more budget friendly option and sometimes that is the way it goes. These stepping stones are very deep though which is excellent for double stepping if an elderly person had to walk on them.
The front walk is inside a mulch bed .....that's different
Exactly what I said because that mulch can wash away
Wouldn't the gravel underneath prevent that though?
@@christopherodonnell well the mulch is on top of the gravel.. I would have went with slate chips on the paver bed surrounding the pavers and cut a edge and had the mulch just inside if the planting bed .. that's a pretty steep drop off.. the excavation will help the most in how they installed the first 6 steps..that's what is going to keep it from all washing out now that I think of it
@@Danthomas829 I would think the rain would go right through the mulch and to the gravel before it could pool…unless there was a downspout or some other kind of flow of water pushing the mulch. I just finished my own step stone walkway with gravel and now I’m considering topping it with mulch. The contrast looks great.
@christopherodonnell The rain will most certainly drain through the mulch and into the stone. That is exactly why we prepared the base that way. I did offer the idea of decorative stone around the steppers but the customer wanted mulch. I think what takes away from it is all the open space in the mulch bed.... But the customer will be filling in all those areas with plants / shrubs. ✌
IT `S similar to what i do
🔥
I would have preferred just a simple smooth sloping concrete walkway without having to use steps. Older people and the handicapped would appreciate that more. But to each his own.
I hear you, but these steppers are big enough for an older person to double step on. They are close to 20 inches deep. ✌
👍
The final result made me more depressed than Benny
🤣 sorry to hear that! ✌