What Most WONT SHOW! Building and PRICING a Paver Patio 4k

[@thebeans804]

It is kind of you to share this information with everyone. From the comments of others, they are loving this series. Great job!😊👍🙏

[@Dirtmonkey]

I am hoping these videos will help some guys

[@josephdriscoll8527]

This is good for both the customer and the contractor both have a good understanding and no surprises

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good way of looking at it.

[@High-Flow-Drainage-Solutions]

I love videos like this when you show how to build and price a project. Keep on including info on how you price stuff. It's helpful to us guys starting out in the industry.

[@Dirtmonkey]

You got it!

[@tylerpittmon7936]

A little flashback to the old DirtMonkey 4-5 years ago. Definitely appreciate the educational pricing content. Watching your videos over the years have helped me be confident doing projects on the side so much that I’m finally taking the leap next spring. Steel Toe U definitely isn’t as good as it was before. No content on retaining walls, demolition, excavation etc. Thank you for being a great teacher

[@Dirtmonkey]

Sorry to hear that Steel toe University doesn't have the content your looking for. BUT What other kind of content would be helpful?

[@tylerpittmon7936]

@@Dirtmonkey the content you’re putting out right now is awesome! Tons of little tips and tricks on how to. I’m excited to see more of the estimating and pricing included as well. I personally would like to see estimating on Boulder wall and landscape rock settings that you do. I know you don’t do much demolition anymore, but it would also be nice to listen to you talk about and explain some of the factors to look for or think about when doing any type of demolition. And as always, just keep being The Dirt Monkey🤙🏾

[@nate2569]

So glad you're doing this type of video. I often wondered how you billed for your projects. The funny thing is that I just hired a contractor to do work at my house that watches your videos which actually made me feel better about hiring him. He even mentioned that he saw you at a recent industry event. I hope you realize how your videos help not only other contractors but homeowners hiring contractors. Hopefully, my contractor employs some of your workmanship on my project. Shoutout to Dalton (my contractor) if you read this.

[@Dirtmonkey]

That is awesome! Thank you very much for sharing that.

[@loerber]

Hiring an editor has been the best thing you’ve done for us. I always look forward to the next video!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Wow, thank you!

[@CZAnthonyX]

This is very helpful for new people and old people in the industry! Thanks for all of these awesome videos! Keep up the great work!

[@Dirtmonkey]

My pleasure! Im hoping this series can clear up some questions.

[@shemwayman1146]

YOU ARE HELPING A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT, HOPE IT PAYS FOR YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

[@VictoryOutdoorServices]

I'm one state over in Wisconsin. I would have charged $300,000.00 and been done in a couple days. Easy money. I have seen the videos you were referencing. 😂

[@Dirtmonkey]

Love your show bro!

[@VictoryOutdoorServices]

@@Dirtmonkey I'll email you, I still want to get together, I think it could be pretty cool.

[@PrecisionCSGO]

@@VictoryOutdoorServices EZ $$$

[@VictoryOutdoorServices]

@@PrecisionCSGO Very easy!

[@bradleyfreeland3492]

Ive learned so much from both of your channels its not even funny. Thanks for the insane knowledge and great videos. I look up to both of you guys keep up the videos!!!!!

[@gregb1902]

Love the behind the scenes info that is so often rushed and overlooked. Need more pricing strategy videos. The first part of this was great!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad it was helpful! Part 2 comes out tomorrow

[@BirdDogLandscapes]

Love this style of videos Stan ! Singlehandedly running a 2 year old business at the age of 21 years old this helps me a lot to keep up with my local competitors pricing and put more money in Profits. Thankyou.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad to help!

[@billvandorn5332]

Thanks bunches Stan! I love how you treat people with kindness and respect and maintain a level of excellence that reaches worksheets the bar of excellence. May you and yours continue to be abundantly blessed with all that's good

[@Dirtmonkey]

My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in👊

[@douglasmorton6121]

Thanks Stanley and Crew! I, for one, would like to see more pricing videos! Stay Safe guys!

[@Dirtmonkey]

More to come!

[@LeslieCraft]

Yes please add more job estimating, it helps me learn to better my estimates. Also my dad David loved the video you made for him on my wifes phone, ty so much again for doing that!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very cool! Glad he liked it.

[@greenwoodsbushhogging6704]

Yes sir, we little guys need all the help we can get. Everyone seems so tight lipped about pricing and how to do things. That and I've watched all your old how to videos 3 or 4 times each now.

[@Dirtmonkey]

im going back tot hat style I think. A little more educational. Will you let me know what you think as you see the progression?

[@MunkMyJunk]

@@Dirtmonkey I agree with @greenswood Brush Hogging. I learned a lot about pricing and how to install, from your older videos, and enjoy them very much. This educational style of videos are great.

[@Dirtmonkey]

cool- then more to come.

[@greenwoodsbushhogging6704]

@@Dirtmonkey if it's even half as educational as the older videos, it'll still be 200 times better than the mass majority of the others. I fully understand why some of it shouldn't be shared, but you even share some of that. I've literally based my pricing around your old videos, obviously adjusted to my business, and it's help me grow considerably as well. Now I just need to work on the filming and being on camera aspect of things to share what I've learned as well. We're all one huge team and sharing the knowledge certainly won't hinder your ability to grow. Even on a local scale, working together with other businesses in the same fields. Just as you've said countless times in your videos.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Our best resources are other people inside our own industry. Cooperation instead of Competetion.

[@silverfox97480]

Very nice job. I used to work as a brick paving and landscaping assistant. Greetings from Perth Australia

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very cool! Glad to have you with!

[@jerrywilder9403]

I’m looking to get a patio paver job right after the first of the year so I’m all over this video thanks Dirt Monkey

[@Dirtmonkey]

👊 hope it helps.👍

[@Rprecision]

I find a ton of value in you sharing how you price!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Happy to help 😁

[@anthonymakley1530]

Awesome video Stan god bless have a great 👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks, you too!

[@jamesmorgan6782]

Absolutely the best yet , man you are on a roll keep it up . You rock.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I appreciate that!

[@christopherray6322]

Love the bidding info, helps me get a good idea on how to break down jobs for increased accuracy m.

[@rickballard3986]

Thanks for the information. I live in southwest Virginia and I was quoted $32 per sq ft for brick paver patio in the back yard.

[@Freecan67]

Thanks for breaking it down for us Stan. The area we live in less Expencive then the next big town west of us. So the pricing is less here.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@warriorkingcraw2692]

I would love to see more bidding breakdowns in your videos, it very helpful to see how different areas of the country prices fluctuate. Great video and love the content.

[@Dirtmonkey]

You got it! More to come

[@alexeitiscareno865]

Thank you very much boss-man for keeping it real and helping people like myself and others 🙌 👏 much appreciated. Keep up the great work and content it has been such a blessing.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad it helps bro!

[@toddvillano7994]

Very informative video, please continue to include pricing and biding examples. Thanks

[@Dirtmonkey]

Will do!

[@shanecunningham2437]

That 300,000 job in 3 weeks sounds like another you tuber who constantly talks about how much a job is. It's like no body cares just do the job and get an with it. Appreciate your honesty as always Stan

[@Dirtmonkey]

Much appreciated!

[@High-Flow-Drainage-Solutions]

I love Tigran Gertz. He's a boss.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I wasn't referring to anyone specifically.

[@danielslawncare]

Lots of tips covered in this vid, good stuff Stan 👍 Keep safe as always and have a good one ✌️

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks, you too!

[@derekcomingo2197]

cool video. another thing you could talk about is a custom patio like this perhaps, or they pick out a patio package or preset design from the store and pricing on that

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good point!

[@haydenbasinger2748]

I am a young contractor just getting up and running this year.. Definitely more pricing guides in your videos! I have watched every single video of yours for the past year or so! I even incorporated some of your techniques in my projects. Great stuff man! With winter coming, maybe a vidoe on some ice and snow control estimating? Ive got tons of questions on that! And seasonal vs monthly vs per event contracts.. Another question, I've looked into past videos about your website, did you sell it out or is it no longer maintained? I noticed you saying you had info on there too! But couldn't find much?

[@Dirtmonkey]

I sold my part of DirtMonkey University to the partners. I am no loner apart of that. BUT I plan on bringing in more education back into my videos.

[@hurricanefreak52]

@@Dirtmonkey will you still recommend steel toe university ?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Im not sure what they are doing. I haven't checked on them since I sold my part.

[@haydenbasinger2748]

@@Dirtmonkey Sweet! Looking forward to it! I think KZbin is a great source of information for younger people like me starting out. So it's definitely nice to have gurus like you that take the time to make these videos pretty consistently. Every bit helps!

[@jorgegeorge2139]

Great show! Thumbs up on bid and estimating details

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@prestofilmedit4298]

Stan! I went by one of your job sites yesterday while working! Pretty cool seeing the new decals on the truck!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very cool!

[@Token_Civilian]

Great vid. Love these kinds of vids. They provide us home owners a great insight into what hired projects "should" cost, especially with more custom elements like you discussed (deeper base, custom cuts, etc).

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you like them!

[@EddieSchirmer]

ive been doing various construction work for my stone wall projects for the last 10-15 years or so. my first stone project was done in summer of 07, rebuilding a dry stack stone wall that had some hydraulic pressure pushing out the upper layers int he center. since then ive learned a few things about building and soil compaction, and i learned really early on that whatever i am compacting has to be slightly damp to compact, but not too wet to by mushy and just turn into soup. just the other day i had my contractor friend ive been working with for all these years over to mix and pour a whole pallet of concrete. used a nice barrel mixer, and we did that whole pallet in about 2 hours haha.

[@Dirtmonkey]

sounds like you & your friend know how to work hard.

[@EddieSchirmer]

@@Dirtmonkey haha, we sure do try to! one year we had to pull out a previous stone stairway we had built. it had begun to slump due to a previously unknown drain pipe that was draining into nowhere next to the foundation. so, we ended up, or i, ended up digging out along the foundation, by hand, under the next section of foundation (at ground level) to get a drainage pipe through to the lawn, and then out another 100-200 feet to an area that woudlnt be driven on etc. and was beyond the lawn. i used my tractors backhoe to dig the majority of the trench, but i did the last 25 feet by hand down about 2 feet or so. then we had to grind down an outcrop so we could fit the pipe into a certain spot where otherwise it woudl be blocking the outdoor entrance to the basement. (lots of hits in Vermont lol) so, after i used a diamond flattening bit for my angle grinder, we where able to get the pipe in, then cover it with fabric and fill in the trench. it was mid summer too haha. hot but fun work. i had some piles of slate, stone we are using for the building project of the stone walls... i decided to hand sort every piece using an 8x11 inch crate as a minimum size reference, so i had two main piles. a +crate size, and a minus-crate size. but i had to move about 50 yards worth of stone, half by hand, and the rest with my tractor bucket. then, i decided to hand sift the small dirt and gravels to remove it from my main pile, and built a 2x2 foot frame using maple boards, and a 3/4 mesh expanded metal screen. it fit on my bucket perfectly, so i shoveled by hand over the screen and let the larger stuff flow into a plastic tub that i coudl sort through later. then i just took the filtered stuff that fell through the screen to a different pile i may process again later for good dirt haha. a lot of the work im doing solo, but the stacking, and mixing and pouring of the main project i have a crew helping me, but i do the prep work and material handling side of the stone, concrete, and re bar between sessions. its a bit of a functional art, so its taken a long time, with weather and materials delays. and my contractor guy has many other jobs too, as his main income so we schedule for his convenience. lots fo fun work, and we have more to do. i would love to show you my progress some time, if you have a facebook for your channel as well.

[@Dirtmonkey]

That sounds like the life of a landscaper. The work we do is intensly hard under brutal conditions. A true landscaper has war stories just like yours.👊👍

[@carlindurfee7566]

@@Dirtmonkey hard but very good money

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Try using a paving loot instead of a rake as rakes produce rocks and paving loots burry rocks . You use recycled asphalt and gravel get a loot

[@Dirtmonkey]

I have not tried one of those. Thanks for the advice.

[@robsdeviceunknown]

well, you mean "Paving Lute" but we knew what you were referring to.

[@mortonsway5650]

Thanks, loving the videos! You guys are doing great work!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Much appreciated sir!

[@chrisvissermagic]

😂 LMAO I BUSTED UP WHEN HE GOT STUNG!!. Only because Ive been there.

[@Dirtmonkey]

It was kind of funny how he was just talking and then BAM - something landed on him and he jumped.

[@williamshort4521]

Absolutely appreciate the process steps and price explanation 👍 keep up the great content

[@ryanmcleod524]

Love this.. one of my favourite videos

[@ryanmcleod524]

Do you cut the border much or just fill with poly or sand?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dirtmonkey]

You will see the wrap up on this one tomorrow with the complete job breakdown.

[@Matt-dk3wl]

4K would be an awesome price. I just had a guy out (In Massachusetts) who wanted 8K 10 rework a 15 year old patio (odd shape but about 150-200 sq ft total) to accommodate an above ground pool. I'm going to watch a bunch of youtube videos like this and try it myself for that price!

[@johnsponable4907]

If you guys have a horn on a skid steer or something else you should use that for the beeping sound when you curse. It would be super funny.

[@Dirtmonkey]

😃👍

[@WadeSmart]

I like all your vids but these are the ones I like most. The hows, whys and - how do you come to that by way of thinking. Def looking forward to more of these.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good to know- I will try to dial that in then.

[@justwalk-travelasmrchannel7101]

Love to see a well-done video! New fan here! Just Awesome!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Welcome aboard!

[@treyvonlanwservice6860]

Great video bro 👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Bud! Hope it was helpful.

[@getzybreuer3691]

Thank you so much of the video I really enjoyed got your bless you

[@Dirtmonkey]

You are so welcome

[@robsdeviceunknown]

There is an entire industry behind the psychology of marketing a company. It was something I got to delve into in college, even though I studied criminal Psychology. Some refer to it as the "Steve Jobs Effect". Suffice to say that much of your local pricing originated from a lot more than a spreadsheet, material and labor costs. But it would take a rather long video to explain what it is much less HOW to do it. I can say, you are on the right track.

[@Dirtmonkey]

You nailed it. Pricing is beyond the estimate and competetive rates. Its understanding why people buy and how to justify your nnumbers from that perspective.

[@michaelmiller1109]

Honestly, as a homeowner, I understand you have costs for equipment and basic labor. Those I want a fair price, and I am not looking for penny pinching just honest. But I admire the art of what you are doing and willing to pay big artist prices for a job done right and beautifully. Which is what I think is the flaw of so much of the construction trades, they price like it is paint by number, but the real world wants reasonable replica of The Mona Lisa.

[@Dirtmonkey]

You summed it up well.

[@johnfilmore7638]

Liking the job quoting & bidding videos.

[@X-HyperlapseTravelChanne-jq7le]

+1 follower here! Thanks for the great upload!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for the sub!

[@brianherron5400]

Looks good, thanks for the info 👍.

[@Dirtmonkey]

You bet

[@markvinson4415]

Awesome video keep them coming!

[@Dirtmonkey]

More to come!

[@brandont1174]

I love this so helpful!!! Also do some on commercial snow by sqft would be great

[@Dirtmonkey]

Great suggestion!

[@jesseholloway7906]

Thanks for all of the information. Please do more estimate videos really appreciate it

[@mikenixon9164]

Good video.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks!

[@chrisschultz143]

Good info. 🥃🇨🇦

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@huskiesgo5944]

And that is exactly why I either do it myself or go without. On a fixed income, most seniors have been priced out of the market.

[@Dirtmonkey]

That does make it tough.

[@robertvannicolo4435]

Stan I agree you can charge by Sq ft as a guideline but you know as well as I do if you have done it long enough there is always those extras and expenses on every job I always add extra day for cleanup of site. And I usually ask the customer if looking for the cheapest price and I tell them I can guarantee that my bid won’t be after all said and done it’s not free work

[@Dirtmonkey]

Your right- I start with a price per square foot as a guide but add extras that are specific to each site.

[@billhull6842]

Question #1. Why such a big price difference between commercial/residential? Okay that is the only question that I have for this video. It was great seeing you last week at GIE and I enjoyed talking to those new subscribers/fans with you. We were even talking about other areas of landscaping and business after you left.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Those are the competetive rates between commercial and residential. Those big commercial contractors kept beating each other up on pricing until the margins were next to nothing.

[@Dirtmonkey]

and its always cool to see you bill- remember- call me on your next clean out please.

[@billhull6842]

@@Dirtmonkey I will call you on the next big clean out. I did a small clean out today that was only 4 hrs. Just remove 3 couches, wood and stuff. the house is on the market. Nothing major or KZbin worthy. I told the main guy that I work for who is a property investor about you and your request. He was excited. I talked you up and told him I will vouch for this guy and there is nothing to worry about. I will let you know when they get a good clean out. You never know what they are going to buy at the auctions. lol And on your video we have to do the unthinkable. We have to open the fridge on video. lol You know what I am talking about.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats will be a fun one!

[@bikes7777]

Man I wish we had soil like that here in SC. Here it is rock hard clay!

[@Dirtmonkey]

We got that to. We just never know whats going on under ground around here. Some places are pure clay- others are sugar sand. Sometimes its blackish soil. Never know what to expect.

[@bikes7777]

@@Dirtmonkey got it! Thanks for these videos. We are landscapers just getting into hardscapes, so costs and bidding videos are much appreciated.

[@Dirtmonkey]

cool- more to come bud. If there is anything you are watching and have a good idea like this -just let me know.

[@snowdogs01]

bikephil: You beat me to that..... Same here in central NC. I got a load of "premium topsoil", which consisted of fist sized clods of red crap. I was not amused....

[@williamllambelis3254]

Great video

[@Dirtmonkey]

Much appreciated and more to come!

[@ianunderwood5858]

This video help out a lot

[@Dirtmonkey]

perfect! Glad to hear that

[@misterpalmieri498]

Hey STAN! We met at GIE my names Mister. 7 years ago you did a video on PRICING retaining walls, I would like to request an UPDATED video on pricing retaining walls just like you did with this one about Paver Patios. Thanks! - Mister's Lawn Care & Landscaping LLC

[@mikehawkins5418]

Very useful, thanks.

[@onlyychevys]

I likey this, I hit the likey buppon! Buppon is toddler for button lol

[@Dirtmonkey]

😃 Glad you likey!

[@kidnappedcoyote5644]

You should consider a larger compactor (minimum 7000lb compaction force/per icpi standards) for your soil and aggregate compaction and the 5000lb for the pavers. You have taught me so much through the years I am just trying to re-pay a bit.

[@Dirtmonkey]

We have 5 compactors we use. from a 150 lb to a ride on

[@kevincloonan9787]

when you correctly compacting in lifts of 2-4" you dont need a massive compactor. The one Stan is using is optimal

[@Dirtmonkey]

well said

[@CerretaniOutdoorsLLC]

Especially with the weight of the machine helps a lot!! People don’t think of that or don’t have machines

[@nashcobb3056]

here to help

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Nash! Hope you had a great weekend bud!

[@JJLandscaping]

Stan Did you ever think of putting all your paver patio together in a downloadable file or a dvd for a guy that wants to learn or for a boss to show a new guy for a price ?

[@keithparady2594]

Most definitely like to know more about it

[@Dirtmonkey]

more to come.

[@TwistysGunShow]

I was questioning your knowledge when I seen your labour's not wetting the soil while compacting but then you mentioned it lol, now I'm just questioning if you caught them before you put your gravel ?

[@phillipbonner5215]

Wish I could subscribe more than just once. 🤔

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you

[@TheCompleteLife]

thank you for this!

[@Dirtmonkey]

You're so welcome!

[@Falney]

It is actually understandable for residential property to be more expensive than commercial. The area you are covering is normally much greater in commercial jobs while the cost of the jobs doesn't increase proportionately to the size of the job. You can afford to charge less per sqf than on residential. A lot of the costs involved are logistics rather than labour. Especially when you take the fact that more time is wasted in transportation when you are changing job sites on a weekly basis.

[@Dirtmonkey]

you are correct.

[@kimberly8185]

Beautiful patio.. but dang that sounds expensive 😕 😆. I desperately need a new patio. I just can't even decide what I want so I procrastinate 😩 and spend the money on something else.. this year I trimmed my ginormous tress so they didn't fall on anyone's head...

[@Dirtmonkey]

Some landscaping will increase the value of your property enough to compensate for the cost of the project. BUT thats a fine line. Meaning- sometime it works that way- other times no.

[@ianunderwood5858]

Love the videos should I buy a echo Hand Leaf blower or a echo backpack blower

[@Dirtmonkey]

if your doing bigger projects you would want a backpack blower. for Smaller stuff- a hand held works fine.

[@Josh-pg3km]

Awsome video! You should try out a scag turf tiger and 2 and a scag vride 2, you'll never look at toro again.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I don't think Scag wants me on many of their mowers- they kicked me out of their booth a few years ago at the GIE

[@Josh-pg3km]

@@Dirtmonkey why?

[@Josh-pg3km]

@@Dirtmonkey they're the best in the industry in my opinion, toro doesn't have a suspension system that even comes close to there's

[@Dirtmonkey]

My favorites are Hustler, Wright, gravely and Toro. Those mowers have always been impressive.

[@Josh-pg3km]

@@Dirtmonkey not saying those aren't good machines and I've ran some of them, but I feel scag is built better and more comfortable. Have you ever tried one?

[@jakebehrens1709]

What type of drain pipe do you use? Do you charge a mobilization fee for each machine and a de-mobe fee as well? And what about cleaning up machines after a big project is that looped in too

[@Dirtmonkey]

a mob fee is both ways- in and out. I used a 4 solid pipe for the downspout. No charge for cleanup

[@bertgarcia]

Love the value you put out! Quick question, are the prices that you mentioned labor and materials or just labor?

[@CliffordAllison]

What is the brand of gravel rakes that you use to move that class 3 gravel. Those rakes looked really heavy duty !

[@Dirtmonkey]

Fiskars

[@georgeking5746]

Please include the bidding and estimating. It is quite interesting.

[@Dirtmonkey]

cool- can do.

[@jacksonstemler4044]

Hey Stan so I got a quick question that I hope you might be able to answer. Why is it that you can charge more at a residential house than commercial?

[@Dirtmonkey]

the scale of the jobs. A small landscaping or retaining wall project for us was around $100,000 or so. Thats very typical on larger commercial projects. Then we switched to residential and that same $100,000 is a massive residential project.

[@cliffpalermo]

Name of neighborhood can dictate price. Georgetown DC = double. Thanks Stan and more please

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very true!

[@glennwolfe1663]

10🤦 Anyway another 👍👍👍👍👍 video😺🤗

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you enjoy these work site vids.

[@chrisvissermagic]

One trick Ive done in the past is to email the competition from a pseudonym email and phony address looking for various quotes. Of course, if you're tight with your competition you can just ask them what they charge but it's just as easy to be a random tire kicker.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I have had my customers hand me the other qoutes.

[@ipod24gaming79]

Good Evening Stan, How's it going today? Some H20 today Hby.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I must be tired- pure black coffee today. How was the weekend for you?

[@ipod24gaming79]

@@Dirtmonkey Weekend was good. Thanks for asking!

[@revfred2008]

Hey Stan, Will with Cutting Edge. Do you guys in the city you live and work in have to have a permit to dump on the street and leave palets or equipment in the street? We do here. Should i charge the customer for it by itemization or work it into the estimate and job bid?

[@josemagana5512]

How do you like your stout grapple; bucket after owning it a while?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Love it! hate their hoses though and they need a hose keeper.

[@ronkenway3101]

Bid, Budget & Build sounds a whole lot nicer than Build Back Better right now.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I hear ya

[@thereefaholic]

So a 20x20 paver patio would be $10k at $25 a square foot. Yet on Long Island it’s probably over $30k on a advertised special. Yes materials overhead and labor are more but profit margins are astronomically high on pavers. One of the reasons there are so many DIYers .

[@SinnerSince1962]

OK, Stan... I subbed.

[@mutatioveritas4559]

Great content as always. With inflation and such, what are you seeing nowadays for residential paver projects per square foot in the St. Paul area? (Front yard, easy access, already excavated and did the concrete sidewalk removal is complete) A contractor asked for $45 sq/ft and my eyes about popped after having watched videos like these from you.

[@carlindurfee7566]

Hope you got 3 quotes and didn’t go with that jackass that is insane

[@mutatioveritas4559]

@@carlindurfee7566 I asked because I had gotten a little sidetracked due to some medical issues that cropped up and had started the project myself. Thankfully it was a relatively easy fix (antibiotics). Didn't hear back from the OP, but with being on the mend, I finished the project last fall, about a week before our first snowfall here in MN. Had my dad and brother help with the finishing touches. Dad did the radial cuts on the curves with the soldier course while I made cuts on the pavers to finish off the interior where needed. Brother was an all around gopher. All in all, it turned out beautifully and ended up costing half of what the initial estimate was. We had a massive tree that we we had already taken down in the garden area of the project and thought there was only a root ball to take out in order to clear the space of all root/organic matter. Turned out, the trunk of the tree was still in the ground, buried about 5 feet deep, despite having been ground down. The quote before discovering that the root ball wasn't at the surface was $25K. The total bill would have easily been $30k having to take out the trunk below grade and take out the root ball, which was easily 6-7' below grade. Whenever I take on a DIY project, part of the calculation is to do rental vs. buying. Some things you have to rent and other things it's worth buying. All in all, I'd say the project got done at about $15K, far below the initial estimate, much less with the stump removal below grade, and, I now have extra tools to use for further projects! 🥳🥳🥳

[@WeldedDiff84]

I'm confused so the more affluent the neighborhood the more u charge? So if I have a nice house I get charged more?

[@Dirtmonkey]

I don't do that BUT i have seen some companies "canvas" a neighborhood or AIM their marketing at a certain price point. AND typically those companies that service high end homes-command a PREMIUM price. Im guessing you have seen that

[@gregoriosolano5064]

Hey stan ive been following the channel for a while now and notice you compact the sand now and in previous videos you made clear not to touch the sand once it has been screeded , what changed? , just curious

[@Dirtmonkey]

Im not sure why they did it this time. Compacted sand is much more difficult to work with.

[@t_crom]

should also do one for snow removal

[@Dirtmonkey]

I have if you need to see one asap- last year or the year before about this time

[@dominicfarzetta]

Great video Joeys shirt is way too clean 😂 why did Sam cut the pavers at an angle with the concrete saw?

[@Dirtmonkey]

He was using a small blade on the battery powered milwaukee. So he had to angle it to get it in there.

[@samjohnson3311]

That’s how you make the curve!

[@dominicfarzetta]

@@Dirtmonkey that’s what she said lol

[@KSbassfisherman]

Maybe a dumb question but, on Mobilization Fee is this only used if you own the equipment, not if your renting it. Say like a mini skid, skid steer?

[@Dirtmonkey]

The mob fee covers your time and effort to get equipment there. Whether you own it or not.

[@KSbassfisherman]

@@Dirtmonkey Thank You for your feed back. How do you incorporate that into your bid or estimate.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I line item it. I show it clearly their for all to see.

[@matthewbeasley5260]

Do you charge separately for removal of a patio that’s already there. Or is that included in the labor of install

[@dantekeskin1512]

How do you know when you need to get permits for stuff?

[@Dirtmonkey]

We ask the city. we call before we go there though

[@dantekeskin1512]

@@Dirtmonkey Thanks! More about this kind of stuff would be really helpful want to do more landscaping!

[@Dirtmonkey]

got it- you will start to see more along these lines.

[@dantekeskin1512]

@@Dirtmonkey great video as always

[@raptorturf3734]

How do you figure out what other people are charging in your area?

[@Dirtmonkey]

You have to do research in your area until you find what you need

[@tonyneglia6648]

You talk to a homeowner or business owner and ask what some of the other bids for your work are. If you have fostered a good working relationship with the customer/potential customer, most times they will share pricing info

[@Dirtmonkey]

I still do that to this day.

[@mysterypersontwentytwo3262]

Hi, quick question. How exactly do you structure the invoice? I understand when you quote initially, you give a general price range. Do you then calculate the exact cost that the customer will pay before starting the project? Or do you just give them a general price, have them agree to it, and collect the payment afterwards and give them an exact price then? How much should one require up front? Thanks.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Great questions. we use the spreadsheet on the project to show the customer all the materials that were used on their jobsite. They know the price per square foot ahead so then we show them how many square feet were used for their project.

[@mysterypersontwentytwo3262]

@@Dirtmonkey Ok, so they get a general range but don't know the exact final price until the project is finished? Thanks again

[@Dirtmonkey]

Actually- Becasue prices vary from within just a 100 miles of range their won't be any right- EXACT price. So the ranges should help dial it in closer for most people around the country. they can use the range to determine if they are more rural- more urban. Big project, small project etc. All those factors determine exact price. I will get you close but won't be exact.

[@mysterypersontwentytwo3262]

Got it, thanks again!

[@devonrogers9509]

I totally understand what you mean. I think that every time I see those videos. I could do $350K a week installed if I lived in California too. 😂