Regrading a front yard to solve standing water

[@oldnstillworkin5709]

I’ll watch everything you put out Shawn. Thanks

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@allanb9360]

Me too

[@TN-Land-Manager]

Same

[@user-ln7of9gs4s]

Next week, he makes Mac and cheese. 🎉

[@mxp2000]

These smaller gigs are interesting and informative. It mimics the types of jobs us homeowners can tackle. Great work!

[@Dave86953]

I like the small and large jobs! Nice work as always!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Dave!

[@bayareachillin]

I agree.

[@kristianjovanovic6749]

All jobs are fun to watch, smaller and complex. I like how you always try to find the simplest solution. After all, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication!

[@GCFD]

I agree. I like to keep it simple and elegant.

[@Seanpaulnz01]

I like the smaller jobs as the videos are shorter which makes it easy for me to watch during my busy day. The bigger jobs with longer videos are also good, but it's nice to have a mix of both.

[@shmackie]

I love it when a cheap customer decides not to use GCFD and then regrets it later.

[@Greg8835]

I like seeing the smaller jobs. Not all,problems need large expensive solutions, which as a new homeowner, is nice to see.

[@GCFD]

For sure! The homeowner was happy to have this simple and effective solution. 👍

[@daveanderson2865]

No job is too small to share. Everyone can relate to every project you have posted so far and gave them ideas to remedy their standing water problems around buildings and on their lawns. Keep up the good work Shawn and crew.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Dave! This was a great example of a simple effective fix.

[@muggins9389]

I like ALL your jobs, i like the big, multi video, multi part jobs, i like the big job all in an hour long video, i like the quick repair jobs in a 30 minute video, and i like the small jobs. All the videos are educational, and interesting, because not only do you do great work, and very interesting work, but you also do a great job editing, and producing the videos like no one else.

[@rodneyhammon1793]

I like all the jobs that you do. You definitely know what you’re doing and you make every job come out great. Thanks for knowledge.

[@Servant927]

Doing the right thing shows your integrity. Great job!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Servant!

[@michaelnaak]

I like all of the videos. I like that you do what is best for the customer.

[@gooby_pls]

Hi Shawn, it's unfortunate that the homeowner did not give you prior heads up that they were going to go with another person for the backyard patio work. Longtime viewer here and I am always impressed with how you interact with clients. You never sell them lies and always go in depth on your method of approach when dealing with a problem area of a property. I think it is unfortunate in general that people shop around to get the cheapest bid to do a job just to save a few hundred bucks. Usually it will work out in their favor but as I have seen, sometimes it comes to bite them in the butt four fold. Like when I see you having to rip up and fix shoddy concrete work because the presumed lowest bidder did a hastily done hack job.

[@garster]

I had that problem too. 60+ years of lawn growth and buildup and all the pathways were like canals. My son and I dug out the entire lawn by hand.

[@oermama]

I like to watch the smaller jobs as much as I do bigger ones, but like to see quick smart fixes, problems solved.

[@brianbrewer8683]

I senjoy your content long and short so just keep doing what you do!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Brian!

[@ChiliToday-HotTomale]

Big jobs, small jobs, in-between jobs - film them all and I'll watch them!! Not a huge of the long site seeing tours with the drone, but short relevant drone videos are a helpful aspect. Thanks for your dedication to the channel! So many YT providers fall away after a couple of years. I know it is a hassle to edit the footage, so thanks!

[@WildwoodSubRailfan]

Always a good day when I see a new Gate City video dropped.

[@boaz2001]

All the jobs you do I learn from. I am not a home owner but I look at friends homes and what they do and suggest ideas based on what I see you doing. Small jobs are great and may help the homeownerfigure out what can be done.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I thought this was a great example of a simple effective fix.

[@tuesboomer1623]

Short, long, I'll watch it all. In this case, as you said, it was the simple solution that was best and it's good to know in the home owning world that some problems are easily solved.

[@Mark.Watson]

Hiring someone else for the other job without telling you would make me not want to go back. I like seeing the smaller jobs as well as bigger ones.

[@Starlight_GT]

I'd definitely watch both formats . Very elegant and simple solutions are the best ones

[@watchthe1369]

I like anything you choose toproduce, your years in education show in the way you explain WHY you make your decisions. That is rare.

[@ricktieken7025]

I enjoy all of your jobs. Agreed that this customer needs to get the water away from the house in the back. Like you, I would have recommended that he lower the patio, but it is done now.

[@JPaul60]

Long and short jobs are good to watch Shawn. I came up from the basement working on a touring bicycle and sat down to get a drink of water and there was a 15 minute video to watch so that worked out great. That customer didn't have enough top soil to grow grass very well. People think they are saving money when they cut corners but in the end you spend more to correct stuff that wasn't done well.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Paul! I'll be heading to Sedona, AZ soon to ride. They have some awesome bikepacking routes out there, but it's too cold this time of year.

[@lukefarrell3]

Love the smaller jobs man. I'm grounds supervisor at a university in New England, and I have many issues just like this. Love seeing how you tackle them and comparing your solutions with the ones I come up with on campus

[@GCFD]

That's awesome Luke! Keep the solutions flowing!

[@totorvdr5994]

The more simple, the best !

[@GCFD]

I agree. You can't go wrong with simple and effective. 👍

[@stt9895]

I liked this one a lot. Great job man.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@steverusie6986]

Perfect solution to the drainage issue. Finding the water meter was a big deal since it could it be a critical issue if they needed to shut the water off from the street. Like to see how you handle both the big and small jobs!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Steven! I was also blown away to find the water meter and I'm glad they didn't need it before.

[@tmurphy0919]

@@GCFD I'm a little unclear. Wasn't the white flag marking the water? Also, is it the meter or the shutoff? How does the water company get a reading if it's under 3 inches of dirt? They use the wireless type here and the worker just walks the block with a reader on a short pole.

[@leemullican2060]

Another great video GCF! Love the content!

[@InsaneTreefrog]

I love how they went back and buried the water meter.

[@AUTOMOBILZ]

Another great video and I absolutely respect your professionalism, but I don’t think I could do anymore work for that customer……….respect goes both ways!

[@dylantrinder1571]

Keep the vids coming Shawn, large projects or small they all make for interesting viewing. 👍🏻😀

[@lukelovell1055]

I like all the videos. Big or small. Long or short! You are one of the few channels that I watch every single video. Thus why I’m a patreon supporter haha.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Luke! I've got a video coming up where we go back and do more work. I mention the previous work, but that was an early video. Proceed with caution on my early stuff haha

[@lukelovell1055]

@ I like your early stuff too. I actually went back to the beginning and watched every single video last year I think. Wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything haha. I’m glad to see a couple posts in a row. I miss them when you are on hiatus haha.

[@ManBee999]

Another great video thanks from Manchester UK

[@GCFD]

Thank you! 👍

[@patdubeau9416]

We like all your videos. Simple and/or complex. Thanks

[@tinderbox218]

"Oh yeah, this is Juan. I found him on Facebook Marketplace when he said he could do the patio for $5 cheaper."

[@GCFD]

Hahah I'm sure that's exactly what happened 👍

[@MrGchernetz]

Just get what you can for the job you did. You did a great job and the homeowner will see your great deed and a job well done. That's what counts.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! 👍

[@malcolmschenot6352]

Long or short, as long as I see the water flowing well in the end, that's what I like. The advantage to the smaller ones is that it increases the frequency of your posts, which I also like.

[@GCFD]

I know Malcom. i've been getting deflated in making videos lately, which is why I haven't made many.

[@mickthefixer2010]

I'll watch whatever you upload...👍

[@26conno]

I prefer the longer videos, not to be taken the wrong way but they relax me enough to fall asleep to. I do watch it again the next day though so it'll probably be better view wise for you haha. I think I've watched every video you've put up though (the trailer builds being my favorite) so I'm down for any vidso you put out. Keep up the good work! 😊🇬🇧

[@gaynellewilliamson2954]

Please show both the large and small projects:all are helpful.

[@chrishernandez3348]

Like previously said from some of the other comments, I like all of your problem solving with standing water issues. As for myself, keep em coming

[@GCFD]

Thank you Chris! 👍

[@chipmchugh5556]

I like a mix of videos. I don't always have time to watch the long videos. I do go back and find them when I have time, but a good mix would be good. I think between 15 minutes up to whatever is a good mix.

[@Stig72]

Hi from Norway. Thank you for your great videos. It's always a good idea to have a written agreement that outlines the key points of what has been agreed upon for any job. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and can prevent any misunderstandings down the line. Makes things easier.| Thank you once again, and keep up the great content!

[@matt08015]

glad to see another one thank you for sharing

[@GCFD]

Thanks for watching and commenting Matt! - Shawn

[@AbdicateDotNet]

Shawn, I love your videos no matter the size!

[@Gman2930]

Hey Shawn, the smaller jobs are great, too. FYI, I thought the customer was a little crass bringing another guy in to do the patio before he discussed it with you. Mainly because he asked you to bid it. I guess you hafta take the good with the bad when dealing with certain customers in that you still get part of the job to make money. Thanks Shawn. Enjoy as always. Keep em comin, small or long!!

[@aprev039]

Quick and efficient work. What was quicker? The actual job or editing this video?😂

[@johnmcc1977]

I like this video as I like all GCD videos. Simple solutions are the best and the cheapest !!

[@adamluke1289]

Love the smaller jobs too!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Adam!

[@TomGriffith-l8f]

Nice work!

[@musicalchairs56]

Nice work. Easy solution looked good to me.

[@vindictivetiger]

I like the smaller gigs, too... your videos are always so informative. I learn so!mething from every one of them. Have a great holiday season!

[@Matlockization]

I like all the jobs you do. It's an educational experience.

[@jdanderson9727]

Your bigger more complicated projects are way more interesting.

[@drb996]

I bet he'll be calling you back once that patio is done 😂 dude didn't look like he knew up from down.

[@GCFD]

Haha I agree but I had no input with the patio...

[@jdw2150]

I would say both types of jobs are great. I appreciate either, as you always have great content regardless. Sometimes you may need small jobs to fill voids in your schedule or to fulfill YT requirements maybe. And, small jobs are things we, as homeowners, like to see as they are often common to our needs. I run a small one man business and most often do little things others may not want to do, so I love seeing these as well. And, as is displayed in THIS episode, small jobs, can affect big or effective changes. Be well Shawn!

[@NZ255]

For some constructive feedback; I prefer bigger jobs, but you’ve got a good sense for what to film. This being a good example of a simple solution. I also hang out for an after rain “proof” shot. I think the videos could be edited shorter though. I often find myself skipping or fast forwarding the more repetitive parts e.g. shifting bucket after bucket of dirt, I thought this video was good in that regard. Keep that water flowing! 😊

[@GCFD]

Thanks for your feedback! I really do try to not have too much redundancy in these videos. I don't look at how long they are, but how much detail to include so you get a feel for the job. 👍

[@anton4video]

The jobs jobs that you think are obvious may be the ones we learn the most from just because the solution is simpler. Is also nice with a mix of long and short video clips.

[@StuartWoodwardJP]

Always educational.

[@Shinjin-g7b]

Good job

[@chrishelms1967]

Good on you not gauging the customer

[@bricktop7803]

You think the front yard was a DIY disaster? No professional groundworks guys would cover a water meter. The guy probably thought he could just get a delivery of top soil and spread it out and seed it. There are homeowners who think they can do jobs themselves, but its a Destroy It Yourself disaster. These smaller jobs should be included, as your Subs watch every vid you create. Jamie is an excellent camera operator as well.

[@VocaEvolved]

funny how the homeowner filled the watermeter again after exposing it. ^^ looks like he dont like the look of the watermeter. great quick job agiin

[@RHEC1776]

I love allllll your video. 💪💪💪

[@dadabetic]

couple of questions, LOL 1. does this experience change your process at all, inasmuch as maybe scouting out the location of the water meter before starting a grading job? 2. do you still allow customers, wanting to save money, to seed/straw themselves, given that this example ultimately failed and leaves a bad look on what is still one of your jobs? always enjoy the videos! Thank you for taking the time to record and share this one with us!!!

[@MrMatteNWk]

People who see drones by state: NJ - (freak out) NC - "It must be another Shawn job"

[@AlexeiTetenov]

Thanks for sharing!

[@semptexico]

As always nice video.... The video must be recorded months ago. It looks like high summer.

[@bluewave2352]

In my yard, the sidewalk and driveway have sunken over the 30 years since they were installed so they are now below the level of the surrounding ground. Did you consider lowering the ground on this project an additional inch or so to allow for possible future settling ?

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

Yeah the front was pretty easy. I would have been pissed if you got to do the front and he wants to do the back when you get there. Somebody else is doing it. Like you said I would have dropped that porch down. I knew you'd be back just by the way it was done. Either way you do good videos long or short. It doesn't matter but yeah I wouldn't have been happy on that job. 👍👍🙂🇨🇦

[@GCFD]

I felt the same way after I realized what happened. I decided to continue with the job and try to keep a good attitude. The homeowner was great to work with.

[@AntoniEmanuel7328]

Great work small or big and love your videos. Beautiful houses but why do US houses have no fences or boundaries ?

[@williamlloyd3769]

Eight months and homeowner can’t grow a new front lawn? Now that’s talent! PS - small jobs are ok

[@GCFD]

Thanks William! I have a few large jobs but they are hundreds of video clips....

[@NoelyBob]

Small jobs big jobs ,I like them all.

[@mikemoab]

Love both

[@GCFD]

Thank you Mike!

[@AdamBoehme]

Another great video, Shawn! I love a mix of the smaller and bigger jobs. I'm sure these are easier to edit. I like pausing all your videos at the beginning and trying to figure out your solution before you start talking about it. I nailed it on this one down to the homeowner originally wanting a channel drain lol. I'm also wondering if they've experienced problems with their gutters emptying right into the flower beds in the front.

[@number40Fan]

Time to invest into a sod cutter. Remove the grass, pull some dirt, put the grass back and done!

[@jasonbare3472]

=browngrass

[@GCFD]

For sure! This customer was mostly interested in cost. So we did the minimum and he was happy!

[@number40Fan]

@@GCFD I really think a sod cutter would work great in a lot of your work.

[@starryknightJAK]

I like all the jobs! Looks like this homeowner is on the cheap. 8 months and his lawn still looks like that?

[@AStanton1966]

Sounds like the home owner never heard the adage: Buy once, cry once.

[@nickb.237]

Did you spray that concrete off before leaving the home? I would feather out around the patio with dirt and bury PVC drain lines for the gutters. Must be awesome to have a huge fall in the backyard to run drain pipes too. I’m in south Louisiana and everything’s flat.

[@_TheDinoMaster]

Nice Video! I bet they are kicking themselves for not having you do that patio! :p

[@upperdeane]

Any job of any size please Shawn. Thanks

[@Kriss_L]

Simple is usually best. But this was probably cheaper than installing drains, a sump, and sump pump.

[@GCFD]

It was way cheaper and better than installing some crazy drainage system. 👍

[@Johnmonty85]

small gigs are good

[@Losttoanyreason]

A job's a job. 👍

[@TeeJay10664]

Great video Shawn...don't really pay attention to the length, short or long. All good. I really dislike customers like this with the bait and switch. Try and get a better price on the initial job with promises of the bigger job. Old game but still works. Business lesson here Shawn.

[@douglaspierce8480]

Occam's razor aways works.

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

1:00 WTF happened to the truck?

[@mikel9567]

The front yard I think I would have done it a little differently. It's hard to do accurate fine grading with a bucket. I would have probably used a landplane and harley rake to regrade. But if it worked, then it worked. I've done lots of grading with a bucket so I know how difficult it can be. As for the back yard, that is a pretty steep slope coming off the patio. If it were me I'd extend the slope out so it's not so steep. I'd put a drain in for the gutters so they daylight out past the block wall. Remove all that water. Only thing I wasn't to fond of was you driving your skid steer on the driveway. There really wasn't a need for you to be on the concrete to begin with.

[@tmurphy0919]

Was mudjacking the sidewalk not an option? Or would that be more expensive?

[@Rusty_Gold85]

I had 2 houses where there Internet and Phone lines were out . Trouble was one householder piled about 2m of dirt on top of the Pit from the yard . I've got photos where it looks like i'm in a hole to China I had to dig down to so I could repair both of them at once

[@timberhitchllc]

I would not be going back to that job for future work. All jobs are post worthy!

[@cheezst8ke]

with in the next year that homeowner will be calling you back to fix the issue with the patio in theback. And realizing he should have stuck with you for the patio job.

[@GCFD]

I have a feeling that's exactly what will happen. I didn't really talk about how the contractor prepped the area for the concrete, but I shared the pictures with all my friends.

[@endall6783]

I like longer post. As far as doing more work for them I'd pass. They didn't tell you that you did not get the patio job till the day you got there ready to start on the front the day of . They had all ready been working on it. If they would have said something when they knew that they could save $5 ( like someone said in the comments ) which they knew days/weeks before. That could have been different but that's me.

[@GCFD]

Honestly, I talked with Jeremy about not even doing the grading after I found out about that...

[@mmiller1188]

When's the Ford going to get a new hood 😁😁

[@Pippy626]

Why higher multiple contractors? I never understood people who have one guy do the concrete driveway the someone else do the patio and someone else do the sidewalk it’s stupid. You can get a better deal if you have one person do it all in the end negotiations go a long way. Great video as always. Keep up the good work.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Pippy! I'm sure the other concrete guy was cheaper and the overall job showed why. No grading what so ever.

[@Pippy626]

⁠@@GCFDyou get what you pay for tho you would have considered the drainage. A lot of concrete workers don’t consider drainage after it leaves the concrete. where you look at the big picture. Keep it up I love all the videos you put out so any jobs you can film.

[@Ltech-ludditetechnologies]

100% scrape it down (only 3 minutes in but that is the way to do it)

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@CentralPlainsEnt]

I would politely decline the patio job after what the owner did. Wouldn't have given him any free advice either. If i were betting i would say he will look for the lowest bid for doing the gutter. I agree with other comments about not doing business with folks like him.

[@GCFD]

I hear ya CPE. I was not happy on the day when the concrete contractor sprung that on me.

[@Stratos53100]

@@GCFD @ CPE Yeah after your comment i would have to agree, Given what we have seen whats happened before etc etc... Given the benefit of a doubt cant really hold water ( literally ) for this one... Would hold out and wait for the callback if you should get it.... Cant spend too much time with clients like this... Content is content & this once again shows the factors of faulty builds = Its all good

[@Christri]

I would bid the next job high 😉

[@GettinAuld]

I would not have blamed you if you had packed up and went home without doing anything for him. Sometimes you have to fire the customer. I think what they did was disrespectful and I think you are nicer than you needed to be. But you are a southern gentleman Shawn. Keep up the great videos.

[@mrDavo111]

The GoPro lens makes it hard to visualise the slope (it looks like the road is higher than the house in parts). But yeah , great fix

[@GCFD]

I know the gopro doesn't do slope any justice. I make some mountain biking videos and same thing...

[@tucobenedicto109]

If he would have talked to you about the patio you would have put pvc drains in the concrete and worked with your gutter guy. Plus the slope and grade would have been right. There's a book out there for this. Common sense. From the 1890's.