🖼️
The project:
I become a weekend warrior, out of necessary means, with the current financial climate, and I would class myself an in-between-er, not quite a professional landscaper, nor a leaner, I have some experiences, as I always enjoyed the outdoor space, and over the years, I enjoy my small space to be greenery with a touch of creativity, while trying to add layers upon layers into my backyard space. And after several quotes, from professional landscape and to save money, i just attempted one small step, starting with the deck. My confidences grew after the deck-as i started the verandah. After those two big projects for me, my overall vision for this small space started to develop, specially after the neigbours, ask for more screening. That pressure turn from questioning myself, and what i had envision into, the vision you see today. It maybe small, but it had a huge impact, to one's questionable mindset, going from "what if i do this" -"Can i do this" I'm going to do this! Once i had that vision cement into my conscious-where i know i could be proud of my work, i was totally focus.
But of course, I had some step backs, and mistakes along the way, but still those mistakes and frustration, which involved multiple trips, (in the one-day) to and from Bunnings, which in the overall seam of things, I still come -out on top, when I look back at those quotes, I received at the beginning.
This small space ended up, being a bigger project then i anticipated, but i didn't feel tried, if anything the opposite, as the project develop my enthusiasm grew. My confidences grew which intern, save me money, all by doing it, myself. Now other projects are on the list.
Everything you see-are all items are from Bunnings whether from over the counter or from Special orders. A special thanks to a couple of characters at Penrith Bunnings, Jamisontown , firstly "The Hoff" at the timber yard, his been there for 20 odd years and to Tracey from, Special orders she also a long time employee there. Both are unsung hero's, but I know, both are much appreciated their.
Thanks heaps Marc.
- Materials:
The list is long, underground works included, gravel, ale pipe with the sock, plumbing pipes, underlay soil with turf. Screening screen for fencing, different colours of paints, also paint brushes, tape and painting supporting items, sander and sand paper, different types of H-4 timbers and of different sizes, different types of screws, bolts, Bricks, heaps of cement, and concrete, door hinges. Others timber such as merbau panels. Metal steps. Plants for the garden, Grass, wetting agents, pest-control sprays, garden groves, safety grasses, ear muffs. A number of safety equipment.
- Tools:
Ryobi tools such as Brushless Compact drills, and general drill, Saw-cutters and blades, hammers, measuring tapes, tools belt, Ryobi blower, Circular sander, and new Ryobi radio. Other tools included Jigsaw, my favor 2 large and small Angle grinder. Multitool, with different blades. Shovel and pick. Then a whole range of screws, replace blades. A lot of small things from the tool shop.
- Step 1:
Creating a written or illustration on paper is a good idea to keep yourself on track, any design of some - sorts it’s better than nothing, i did have help with architectural drawings for the major project when adding the Granny-flat, to the property.
I've attached my pictures- of a building design, as I become a Owner builder, with little experience. To save cost- I did what work, I could do, without the requirement of a train Licence Tradie. As this fill in those smaller jobs around the house, which is still ongoing today.
My small second-dwelling now finish, should show, I hope the stormwater, (in yellow highlight) as it channels down, the far side of designs, as seen in the next picture and across the backyard to my stormwater Pit, which is on the opposite side of the property. This way having that bigger understanding how the water would travel, goes a long way, in terms of creating that vision. Then its a matter of sorting out, all the little projects and jobs that will go around the house.
Picture 1. is of the land space- and lucky for me I had a nature slope, which I use to my advantage,
Picture 1a. is the design of the second dwelling, but more important for me, was how the stormwater would follow around this particular job I was focusing on.
- Step 2:
Digging out along the backyard, with shovel and pick with both a hard and soft rake, then place 100mm stormwater piling, and I also adding aggie piling. Fill the trench with gravel and then place G-O Fabric on the top of the gravel, so the topsoil doesn't penetrate the small stones. Last replace the old grass.
Picture 2. below
Picture 2a. below is me! smiling for some reason, as this took some weeks.
If you wanted to go back in time, I replace both my side fencing, and saving that old timber, to face my back retaining walls, which I added, the bigger bess-a blocks.
- Step 3:
Once I had my tools and materials, before starting every little micro-job. The shovel come out first, 'the good thing is that', I don't mind shovelling, as my ancestry, my background come from both my grandfathers who were farmers, so I- inherit- that digging gene. I would mentally strategize, while digging "weird I know", but it works for me. Every thought, was circulating in my head, as i question any downside.
Every job had to start by, a visualization of very step, and until every steps was throughout, and a final vision in place. That's when i started, but i had to match the previous form of work, to streamline, everything i had done, and what i was going to do into the future.
Picture 3.below far corner-coming down the far side of the building.
Bricks, cement and G.O Fabric from Bunnings
Picture -3a. Below shows the follow of stormwater
- Step 4:
I would place timber, metal poles in place and measure everything, place the bricks freely, before cement/concrete them in place.
Once the drainage had been done, added more G. O Fabric on top of the Aggie piles, then more shovelling, then to set-up the foundation of the deck. A lot of measuring and levelling was interrupted as i laid every brick.
Picture 4.
Picture 4a.below- the merbau timber, come from the timber yard-where I was served by Bunnings famous-man in Penrith "the Hoff"
- Step 5:
Once everything seems to measure out, correctly, Then I
started the veranda, the next small project had started. The H4 timber coming
from Bunnings, plus all the supporting materials and smaller items to support
this build, all come from the tool shop.
In some cases, I would wait
overnight, for the cement and concrete to settle, before starting again. And in
that time, I would run "meaning drive" back to Bunnings in the
afternoons, for more supplies, as this set-me up, for the next morning.
Picture 5, below
the cement concrete was Bastion products, bought plenty of this products. the cheapest, then any other retail outlets.
Picture 5a.
below a picture of the H4 timbers come from bunnings under-cover timber yard. and Dulux-surfmist paint and the blue tape, all come from paint section at Penrith bunnings.
I, added the metal framing at the end, to reduce weight, as I realise the material of the roof would also add weight, which work well. This is where "Special Orders" came into play.
- Step 6:
The Roof
Bought more H4-timber from "The Hoff" he help me out, what a great fella, plus bought some silicone and surfmist paint from the paint section, plus plenty of screws and bolts, Ryobi measuring tape, as I bought a Ryobi-toolkit and also updated a Ryobi circular saw.
Picture 6. below is the finish work, after plenty of measuring.
Picture 6a. below
Bought these white sheets, I forgot what they were called- but Tracy from special-orders knew, as I show her a picture, of my current project, where Tracey, did direct me where I to go. And at the time, she give me the name of the product. But, I forgotten the name again. So don't ask me.
- Step 7:
The Backyard Screening
Through-out my micro’s projects within, within this project, I would ask plenty of questions from staff, at every arrival, after time, some would run away and some I cornered, like poor old Tracey. "Only kidding" well you be the judge?
I need to know how to hold up the screening above the fence, which i had an idea, and slowly as i figure out the steps, i must admit, to get that conformation, i would watch Bunnings D.I.Y videos.
Again below, was plenty of concrete, and H4 posts, and the choice of screening from the Garden section in Bunnings, which colour play a big role here.
Picture 7.
Preparation sanding, cleaning a before the Dulux Monument paint was applied.
Picture 7a. below the posts, where I concrete them in, in a box, made from framing timber, where I left them in, as it looks pretty good. So I left the framing boxes in-between the back-fence and the retaining wall. Which to me adds texture and character to the work.
Also added some conduit which came from the electrical section of bunnings.
Picture 7b. below the screening
- Step 8:
The Second Deck
Over this time frame, I would run into problems, where, "I knew what I wanted"-but had no name for certain products, so I would try to explain to staff, want I needed, and try to explain the purpose or functionality, that I required, and whether, my understanding and vision could be achieve. Where staff would throw me a curve ball, by showing me something different, which did work out better.
While saving time and money.
Plenty of thinking in the allies of Bunnings. One of my problems, was, how to add, another step from the deck, as the drop from the deck was too high. So after talking to staff, and watching "Better Homes and Gardens" where "Adam the carpenter", did a small segment on a small deck, also help. The result in the next step. Below.
Picture 8a.
The follow of stormwater, always in the back of my mind. As G. O Fabric went over the gravel. for drainage.
Picture 8b. with more merbau timber, which you know- who help me! "The Hoff"
- Step 9:
The Gates
With the gates and the size of the gates, came with its own problems and concerns-such as moving the gates back and forward, so I bought some hinges and gate wheels- as Bunnings had a wide variety of gate wheels to choose from. When in doubt I would use Bunnings website and online D.I.Y videos
Picture 9.
After my understanding my own problems, came the solutions, and as the pieces-to my vision came together, it would required another trip to Bunnings, for materials and mainly afternoons, trips back and forth.
Picture 9a. below recycle bricks and the metal posts.
Picture 9b.
Where I would reset, between- finishing for the day and going over the next days worth of work.
Think about any supplies I would require- for the following day, which means a trip to bunnings in the late afternoon. where I Knew, the staff would love to see me again?
At this stage of the backyard project of the second dwelling, were I added some privacy.
As I complement each task, I would sit back, making sure, things were done in sequences, and I haven't forgotten anything.
- Step 10:
Installation
The last step was the best part, installation of plants and grass!
Picture 10. First levelling the underlay soil. before adding the turf
Picture 10a,next came the turf which was fun to install
Picture 10b, then came the tomatoes, herbs and plants, in the retraining walls, and pots and potting mix, which all coming from Bunnings nursery. In the mornings and afternoons, watering became, very peaceful, as I reflect all the work, I had done. Before realizing the amount of future work installed for me.
it didn't last long, what had change, from me, was the amount
of time and questioning, I relied from staff, thanks too Tracey from Special
services as she was brilliant throughout this project of mine,
The good thing of future works as my questioning, towards the staff, I realized, my reliance on them, was less.
Also, special thanks, to Bruce and Graeme who are extremely knowledgeable- on timber and building materials, as they came from the building industry and now working at Bunnings in
The good thing of future works, was my questioning, towards staff, as i realized, my resilience, was less.
Also special thanks, to Bruce and Graeme who are extremely knowledgeable- on timber and building materials, as they came from the building industry and now working at Bunnings in their twilight years. As a customer, this was such a value to have, too- someone like myself, a "weekend warriors"!
Thanks again Bunnings staff! Regards Marcus from Koala Retreat
