Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Raised Walkways, and Repairing Old Stone Patios

Driveway Repair. The couple wanted to repair a very sloped gravel driveway on a steep embankment, so I installed railroad ties, braced with Rebar, and loaded down with number 5 gravel. Parking is now allowed!
AFTER

BEFORE





A nice couple in Shelby called me to give new life to an old stepping stone walkway, and to repair 2 old, uneven flagstone patios on the side and back of the house. It was a large job, but very doable. We used most of the original 12" stones for the patio refurbishment, and they chose to buy new 16" concrete pavers for the raised walkway. Check out before and after:














Thursday, May 27, 2010

Shrubbery Removal

A customer in upper Cleveland County consulted with me regarding his 15 foot by 20 foot plot of overgrown Azaleas and grapevines. We dug in with the rake, mattic and trimmers to pull everything out. Now the ground is ready to be tilled and replanted with all new! Check out the before and after pics.


Man Versus Nature. Man wins (after several difficult hours)



BEFORE --huge mess



AFTER-- all clear



Saturday, May 22, 2010

NEW! I'm now doing Pressure Washing: Vinyl, Brick, Concret and Wood

After a few years, your new home or walkway collects rain and grime, which chemically and mechanically bonds with surfaces. Pressure washing is a simple, safe way to remove the unsightly stains and give you years of a "new look" again.
Here is a satisfied customer in Shelby. We did his entire driveway, carport and all the cement walkways around the house.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Spring 2010: Painting Building Overhangs

Painting the eaves and overhangs is a simple and economical way to preserve a storage building. This customer simply wanted to catch some aging wood before it became a much bigger problem.

See the before, during, and after pics:












Spring 2010: Bush/Shrubbery Removal

A Shelby couple wanted 18 to 20 bushes, shrubs and many small trees removed from around their house. Some of the Azaleas were about 50 years old. They simply wanted a place to start afresh, so I dug up all the plants and lightly mulched to make room for whatever new additions they want to come up with.
You can see a big difference after the old bushes were removed:











Spring 2010

Barn Painting and Storage Building Overhangs.


A customer in rural Cleveland County wanted a large barn (about 2200 square feet) painted to preserve the structural integrity and weatherization of his investment. We laid out a plan, then brush and roller met the old boards and the rest is history. One coat of oil based Barn and Fence paint, and the customer was very pleased with the outcome.

Take a look at the before and after pics:











Sunday, August 16, 2009

Cactus Removal

A customer in Shelby's historic uptown wanted 3 large cactii removed. He doubted I could do it without equipment. 5 hours later, all the cactus were dug up by hand and shovel, hauled off, and a layer of new mulch was put down. Where there's a will, there's a way. Call me to save you hundreds of dollars on a job like this.





Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Summer 2009 - - - Mulching and Weeding


Another Pleased Customer in Kings Mountain! The rains of early Summer set the stage for pesky weeds and grasses in the flower beds. Call me to get rid of the weeds, and to top off the mulch in the beds.



Thursday, February 12, 2009

Fall 2008

Tree Re-Mulching

Fall is the best time to take care of the wiregrass that might have crept into your mulch beds. I've re-mulched many mulch beds, simply by hand and shovel. Here's a tip: The black plastic used to keep down weeds is completely useless. In very little time, the grass will encroach and still intrude your mulch beds unless you remain diligent and spray for unwanted grass/weeds often.
If you find that you've been overtaken with unwanted grass in your beds, call me to do the dirty work.

Fall 2008

Old Fashioned Brick Painting In Historic Uptown Shelby



A previous client wanted to paint her old front stoop, and chose barnyard red for the bricks. I also scraped the old rust from her iron handrailing and painted it black... A classy touch!
This is a very inexpensive way to preserve your older brick pavers, concrete and walkways, and make your guests feel warmly welcomed.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Slate Stone Patio

A raised stone patio makes a normally unused space, more versatile and functional. Here, a large patio is formed with gravel on bottom, then a layer of sand and stone. Click image for before and after.


Friday, July 4, 2008

Apartment Painting And Remodeling

Another satisfied client in Spindale, NC. The landlord consulted me to touch up her investment property. I made custom screens for all the tenant's windows, front and back, removed the old shutters and installed new ones, and painted the doors and trim to match. A small price-tag for big returns. Call me for rapid turn-around on your maintenance needs. I offer quality workmanship at substantial savings over the "other" guys. Click to enlarge photos



Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Summer 2008...Mulching, Painting and Creating

With the warm and sunny weather, I recently built some bannisters and painted several outdoor items for a customer in Shelby.
Have your cement planters and benches repainted to prevent chipping!


A small covered well or mini gazebo is the perfect old fashioned touch. I can build it in no time, and you can place almost living thing into it.
During dry periods, like we're currently having, it's the perfect time to have all your flower beds mulched. A customer in Shelby recently had several large flower beds topped off with mulch, which is the best way to keep down weeds and retain precious water. Check out the before and after pics.







Sunday, March 30, 2008

Drive Way Repair

If your driveway is cracking and falling to pieces, the simple repair is to fill in with gravel. It looks decent and is very cost-effective. Here's a prime example I completed for a customer in the Moss Lake area. I can also "top off" your gravel driveway. Call for an extremely competitive quote.


If your driveway is cracking and falling to pieces, the simple repair is to fill in with gravel. It looks decent and is very cost-effective. Here's a prime example I completed for a customer in the Moss Lake area.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Mulch Beds...Another Satisfied Customer In Earl

Although this was done during a blistering heat wave in August (and during a severe drought), anytime is the right time to add mulch around your plants. You should mulch 'good n plenty' around young plants, as this will help retain precious water. This client in Earl, NC wanted to spruce up her rental property with the double-chopped hardwood mulch around here newly planted Crepe Myrtles and Wintergreen Boxwood bushes.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Patios

The patio is a commons area where you and your friends can just relax in the great outdoors. Here is a simple design for some apartments in Shelby...4 plants (mums), a couple of ornaments like birdbaths, feeders, etc...all frosted with white rocks.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Stone Paths And Walkways

Another satisfied customer in the Riverbend Community of Shelby. Click for Before and After Pics...(Autumn 2008)




Stone pathways are a favorite among my customers because they can usually be done in one day and are the simplest way to improve a property's appearance. You have many choices including river rocks, pebbles, gravel and solid stones. Once again, your imigination is the only limit as to what goes where. Be creative! (click on picture to enlarge)


Retaining Walls

Seeing my clients happy with their finished product is what makes my job so rewarding. Whether its building a retaining wall or digging a fish pond, my aim is to give the customer the most enjoyment for their investment. (click on picture to enlarge) This was another satisfied customer in Patterson Springs.
Seeing my clients happy with their finished product is what makes my job so rewarding. Whether its building a retaining wall or digging a fish pond, my aim is to give the customer the most enjoyment for their investment. (click on picture to enlarge)

Fish Ponds and Fountains

Fish ponds always add a tranquil touch to the yard. What is more relaxing than watching Goldfish or Koi enjoy their new habitat. I draw up the design on my computer, or follow your drawings, and simply hand dig the pond, lay in the liner, and soon you're ready for your new friends. It can be topped off with a cascading waterfall or inner fountain. The possibilities are endless. Here is a fishpond I did recently. (click to enlarg