I Am a Hardscaper

We go back to the beginning of these two walkways we completed on this project from the excavation to the final cuts and installing the polymeric sand.

Today we talk about how I lost $21,500 on this project that we started last year. We talk about all of the delays that we experienced and the frustrations that caused us to have to stay on this project for 3 more weeks than expected and $4,000 more in materials.

Playlist to see this project from start to finish:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDb_Bo8EoV6RJ5s5QZn0ZVQXoQBlVLEoc

Website: https://www.howtohardscape.com/
Podcast: https://www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/
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What does it cost to start a hardscaping business? We answer that question adding up all of the hand tools and equipment that you would need to get started with your hardscaping business.

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We go back to the beginning of this massive backyard oasis we built that includes a pool patio, walkways, gas fire feature, seat walls, retaining walls, pergola, and privacy screens.

Playlist to see this project from start to finish:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDb_Bo8EoV6RJ5s5QZn0ZVQXoQBlVLEoc

Website: https://www.howtohardscape.com/
Podcast: https://www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/
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Today we put the final touches on a 1,500 square foot side walkway, pool patio renovation, retaining walls and seat walls, privacy screens, pergola, and gas fire feature space. To finish this project we needed to glue the wall caps, level the slabs, drill holes for the safety cover anchor screws, and install the jointing compound. It was a long time coming, but we were able to finally complete this project for our client.

Playlist to see this project from start to finish:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDb_Bo8EoV6RJ5s5QZn0ZVQXoQBlVLEoc

Website: https://www.howtohardscape.com/
Podcast: https://www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtohardscape/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtohardscape/

Today we are core drilling holes in pavers to install some safety cover anchors around this pool. We use a rotary hammer drill and a diamond core bit to be able to get these perfect holes.

We cover why we use a piece of wood with a hole drilled through it to help guide our core bit into the paver to get our grooves started before continuing all the way through the paver. We also talk about cleaning off the slurry from the paver so that it does not solidify on the surface of our pavement.

Amazon Affiliate Links (We earn a small commission if you choose to proceed and purchase through these links which also helps support this channel!)

Bosch Hammer Drill:
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Wet Core Drill Bit:
https://amzn.to/3CYB30K

Core Bit Adapter:
https://amzn.to/43767WY

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Today we talk about pricing strategy for hardscape projects and why it is not a good idea to price projects by the square foot. Rather we use production rates to calculate a labor price to incorporate into our projects which also includes our overhead expenses.

Learn More About Pricing with Our FREE Pricing Landscaping Projects Course:
https://howtohardscape.com/courses/pricing-landscaping-jobs-course/?tab=tab-curriculum

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How to Hardscape Podcast
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Today we talk about geogrid, specifically biaxial and triaxial geogrid, and its use in paver base installation. We use this in every paver installation with a minimum 4" of aggregate placed on top to help stabilize our bases along with the use of a nonwoven or woven geotextile. We explain why we do this in this video.

Geogrid Experiment Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djNvrd7spz4

Geogrid Installation Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmNAdBdqGRI

Geotextile Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8cqR6nXjXs

Open Graded Base Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDi9jUQa0DE

Dense Graded Base Video:
https://youtu.be/-A9sWxyFMY4

Synthetic Base Video
https://youtu.be/Og9J8W3MYvY

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Today we talk about small hardscape projects and why they are beneficial over large hardscape projects to help with cash flow. We also talk about pricing these projects and various factors that went into pricing this specific project rather than just using a square foot price.

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Today we talk about when you should consider building a raised patio for your project. This takes into consideration the grade of your project and how you can measure that grade to see whether or not you need to build a raised patio or you can build it on the existing grade with minimal regrading.

How to Build a Raised Patio Article:
https://howtohardscape.com/building-a-raised-patio/

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Today we talk about fixing block steps, what went wrong with this project, and the steps that we are taking to ensure that it will last until the client needs it to.

I Am a Hardscaper UNCUT Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdOTf6km9Yq8YuKqtcj5OnA

Website: https://www.howtohardscape.com/
Podcast: https://www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/
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Today we talk about paver roller compactor and their pros and cons in using them in a hardscape application.

Learn More About Paver Roller Compactors:
https://howtohardscape.com/paver-roller-compactor-compacting-pavers/

I Am a Hardscaper UNCUT Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdOTf6km9Yq8YuKqtcj5OnA

Website: https://www.howtohardscape.com/
Podcast: https://www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtohardscape/
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This video is sponsored by GPS Trackit. If you want to learn more about GPS tracking for your business, visit www.gpstrackit.com/howtohardscape

Today we talk about GPS Tracking for a construction business and the 4 reasons why I use GPS tracking despite being such a small business. We cover alerts, maintenance, routing, and much more in this video as well as getting set up with GPS tracking before you get too big so that there is no push back from employees when you do decide to finally implement it in your business.

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Website: www.howtohardscape.com/
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Today we talk about adhering pool coping using a hardscape adhesive and ensuring we have a clean surface to adhere our coping to. In a previous video we cut the coping to get our smooth curves around this pool, but today we finalize this coping installation by adhering it to the concrete.

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https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

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Today we talk about hardscape lighting design for a backyard retaining wall. This client has a backyard that needed a retaining wall in order to build them their space, so we take the opportunity to be able to add some hardscape lighting to the wall to ensure they can use their space well into the evening.

We talk about spacing, design, hot spots, but if you want to learn installation, check out this video:
https://youtu.be/8VeYhRQt5hM

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www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

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Today we talk about removing rust from pavers. Unfortunately over the winter there were some metal objects left on this patio and when removed left some large rust stains. So today we take a cleaning solution to this patio to remove the rust stains and go over some things we learned in the process.

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www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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Today we start our 2023 hardscape season! We start 2023 with working on completing a project from 2022 which included a pool backyard patio remodel including pool coping, patio, retaining wall, lighting, gas fire feature, pergola, privacy screens and side walkways.

Follow along with this playlist to see the project from start to finish.

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www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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Today we talk about 2 things you NEED to do before you begin preparing your base for pavers. This is after the excavation and before the preparation of your paver base. You need to compact your subsoil and install a geotextile. Both of these steps are crucial to the longevity of your paver project.

Learn about Dense Graded Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/-A9sWxyFMY4

Learn about Open Graded Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/HDi9jUQa0DE

Learn about Synthetic Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/Og9J8W3MYvY

Learn about Geotextile:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8cqR6nXjXs

Learn about Geogrid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmNAdBdqGRI

How to Hardscape Members Only Platform
https://members.howtohardscape.com/plans/membership/

How to Hardscape Website
www.howtohardscape.com/

How to Hardscape Podcast
www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

How to Hardscape Headquarters
https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

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Website: www.howtohardscape.com/
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Today we talk about the How to Hardscape Headquarters and how it can help hardscape business owners budget, estimate, and streamline processes in your business. Included with the software is access to our training courses that include the installation of interlocking concrete pavement, segmental retaining walls, outdoor lighting, and gas fire feature along with courses on knowing your numbers, budgeting, and estimating.

You can learn more and book a demo at:
https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

And register at:
https://members.howtohardscape.com/plans/membership/

How to Hardscape Website
www.howtohardscape.com/

How to Hardscape Podcast
www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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Today we talk about 5 ways to cut pavers easily including chiseling, guillotining, using an angle grinder, demo saw, and table saw. Each have their own pros and cons and applications.

We prefer to use a demo saw for most cuts, especially for cutting pavers in place. The table saw comes in handy for cuts that are crucial to have a perfect perpendicular cut such as walls and coping units. Chiseling and guillotining are handy for wall units that require a rock face for the corner units. And an angle grinder is helpful for those detail cuts. We also cover the difference between cutting wet and cutting dry.

How to Hardscape Website
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How to Hardscape Podcast
www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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Today we talk about paver design basics for your patio or outdoor living space! This includes talking shape, size, texture, and color of various pavers, choosing pavers, borders, inlays, and so much more. This is the starting point to designing your outdoor living space or patio to be everything that you want it to be.

How to Hardscape Website
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www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

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Today we talk about 5 paver patterns that you can use, where to use them, and the strongest pattern there is which is most suitable for a driveway. These patterns include running bond, stack bond, basket weave, herringbone, and random. We prefer different patterns for different applications. A lot of this has to do with the paver that we choose for the project.

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www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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What do you do for training?

Today we talk about reasons why concrete sucks. Ultimately we prefer pavers over concrete when it comes to the installation of beautiful outdoor living spaces. That being said there are situations where we will pour concrete, it is just not shown in the final product.

How to Hardscape Website
www.howtohardscape.com/

How to Hardscape Podcast
www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

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https://members.howtohardscape.com/plans/membership/

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https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

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Website: www.howtohardscape.com/
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Today we talk about Dense Graded Base which consists of Granular A (3/4" minus) and a bedding layer of Concrete Sand. We use this base material in the installation of projects up against a foundation, front walkways that tie into driveways using the same material, and driveways with pavers that have small joints. This base method is actually the recommended method by ICPI, but it is the least used base method for our business.

Learn about Open Graded Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/HDi9jUQa0DE

Learn about Synthetic Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/Og9J8W3MYvY

How to Hardscape Members Only Platform
https://members.howtohardscape.com/plans/membership/

How to Hardscape Website
www.howtohardscape.com/

How to Hardscape Podcast
www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

How to Hardscape Headquarters
https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

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Website: www.howtohardscape.com/
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Today we talk about Synthetic Base or Paver Base Panels and where we use them on specific projects. These specific panels are for pedestrian use only. So we will only use these for backyard patios that are built on the existing grade and side walkways. Most other applications we will use an Open Graded Base instead.

Learn about Dense Graded Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/-A9sWxyFMY4

Learn about Open Graded Base Applications:
https://youtu.be/HDi9jUQa0DE

How to Hardscape Members Only Platform
https://members.howtohardscape.com/plans/membership/

How to Hardscape Website
www.howtohardscape.com/

How to Hardscape Podcast
www.howtohardscape.com/podcast/

How to Hardscape Headquarters
https://members.howtohardscape.com/headquarters-software/

Join our email mailing list:
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Website: www.howtohardscape.com/
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