Note: there other things more interesting to me than escrow/real estate issues, so hope this topic does not tread on other contributors expertise.
It is Spring (believe it or not) and the Everett Home Show just wrapped up over the weekend. This is the time of year where home improvement projects start to come to the forefront. One of the larger projects last Spring was to remove our 30+ year old drab, cracked walkway and driveway apron in front of the garage. We obtained bids to install either a stone/paver walkway (Hardscape) or new poured concrete. For our budget, time constraints, and do-it-yourself experience, we ended up going with a stamped concrete walkway.
I rented a jackhammer and broke up the entire walkway and driveway apron. It was tough work. We liked the stamped concrete patterns that we observed visiting new home developments, home shows and doing research online. After sifting through all the information, we took quite a while to make a decision on the color and blend we envisioned. It is nerve-racking because if we were unhappy with the patterns and color after the concrete pour, we were going to have to live with it.
A significant amount of prep work had to take place because there is a lot of water run-off from the road adjacent to our home and the topography slopes towards the house. You can also see remnants of the perimeter drainage system I installed and connected to an existing drain system.
Project cost: about $6,000.00 including my expense in removing the old walkway & driveway apron myself. Drain system and retaining walls (Stacked Wall supplied by Pacific Stone Company in Everett) were a separate expense, but we did do it ourselves.
Hope this project provides inspiration and ideas for people thinking about their outside projects!
This year’s Spring (I hope) project entails a new asphalt driveway from the street to the apron & walkway. I’ve also been informed that I need to remodel the guest bathroom. One project at a time.
Tim,
Outstanding job. Envisioning you on the end of a jackhammer toiling on your old driveway is indeed an inspiration. After wathcing everyone argue all week over “predictions” I would have helped you for free just to clear my head.
I like how the your new driveway/walk looks. Hope you enjoy it for years!
WOW! That looks fabulous! I painted my walkway pales by comparison 🙂
Greg,
LOL.
I’m predicting I have lots of things to do and that if you help me, you’ll be rewarded handsomely! I’m thinking of having a PI, RCG & Bubblehead party at my place this Summer where everyone can all snicker at me while I toil in my never ending and unfinished projects.
I can see it now:
Bubbleheads: look at how much he’s spending, he’ll never make a profit. Poor homeowner. He’s going to lose his shirt. HA! He’s never going to pay off that HELOC! After seeing all this, I’d never buy his house!
RCG & PI agents: Why in world did Tim & Lynlee choose that color or product?
Mack: I shoulda’ gone to the M’s game.
LOL. It would be a great time!
Serve wine, we will come.
And, I like your stamped concrete by the way!
Tim–that is GORGEOUS!
did you have fun with the jackhammer? We tore out our walkway earlier in the spring and I think that was my husbands favorite part of the job–running the jackhammer.
I second Leanne’s sentiment, although I’m more of a beer drinker. Pacifico with lime, just so’s ya know.
“RCG & PI agents: Why in world did Tim & Lynlee choose that color or product?”
In between reviewing an inspection report, answering emails and commenting here, I’m up on a ladder today painting my office sherbert green 🙂 I’m sticking with green and turquoise, so I don’t think I get to turn my nose up at your color choices 🙂
Loved that banner in your office, BTW. It was fabulous!
Wow, wouldn’t that be somthin’.
Party at Tim’s!
Leanne- You bet. Thanks.
Sandy- I’ll keep that in mind! Jackhammer fun? Um, not really. I was sore for quite a while.
Ardell- Grazie!
Greg wrote: “Wow, wouldn’t that be somthin’.”
I wonder if there’s a place for mud wrestling? 😉
Wow Tim, that looks nice enough to eat off of!
Translation: You won’t need to rent picnic tables.
Wow! Looks terrific, Tim.
Thanks for sharing that info. We’ve got a concrete patio in fairly poor shape that I’d like to replace sooner or later–looks like it’s roughly the same size as your driveway apron. It’s very helpful to have a ballpark figure in mind as we plan to redo it.
If you haven’t gotten all that jackhammering out of your system, you can come over and break up our patio, too! I’ll buy you another latte to sweeten the deal. 😉
Thanks Angie. Best wishes on your project.
That driveway looks great! How is the traction on that shiny surface? I don’t know why more people don’t go with dyed/contoured concrete. Even if the pattern get slightly out of style, it still looks better than an old stained gray slab 10 years out.
Nice choice. It really adds character to the front yard.