Landscaping in Langebaan

I've been fortunate to work in the most beautiful places this year. My previous job was in gorgeous Newlands and I'm currently busy in Club Mykonos, Langebaan. I will never be able to live inland. There is nothing like the sound and smell of the sea to relief stress. No wonder Discovery Medical Aid rates are less when you stay near the coast.

Leveling Out Slopes

Anyway, just look at what a difference a Dry Stone Wall can do for your garden. It's harder work than working with a manufactured Concrete Retaining Wall Block, but it gives a more natural and nicer look.

Before:
Wasted slope, weeds and irrigation standpipes protruding for everyone to see.

After:
Increased useful space and better looking end result.

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Ps. What you do for the one, you might as well do for the other. While you're at it; follow us on Twitter.

Retaining Wall in Newlands

Dimensions: 4.4 m x 25 m

We were so lucky to work next to beautiful stream, which were quite relaxing. It was important not to effect the environment in any way.

Before Pictures:

[Site Clearance and Preparation]

[Solid Wall needs Retaining Wall to Secure]

During:

[Foundation Trench]

[Dry Concrete Mix Foundation]

[Out of the Ground]

[2.4m High]

After:

[Site Clean and No Negative Impact on the Environment]

[What a Good Feeling. We're done.]

My Favorite "On The Road" Pics So Far This Year

SABS minimum width for public roads not applicable in Newlands

[Taken near SACS in Newlands]

Why must I clean the chimney? What can possibly happen if I don't?

[The House next to the dump-site in Wynberg]

I started a new venture; cleaning Koi Ponds. They call me the Koi-Man from Atlantis.

[Stodles in Bellville]

Upside down you turn me!

[Passion Fruit at my house in Brackenfell]

Experienced Retaining Wall Contractors

I've been consulting on and installing Retaining Walls since 1991. I started my own business, Creative Retaining & Landscaping, in 2001. We can install every type of Retaining Wall. From Gabions and Concrete Block Retaining to Dry Stone Walling. During this time I've picked up vital experience.

(1) For Starters, there's a Difference between Private Residential and Commercial Retaining.

• When tendering on Government or Commercial Walls, everything has been drawn up, surveyed and put in a Bill of Quantities before the contractor gets to the site. This may take weeks or even months. The contractor need to tender his rates and apply. There are more red tape though. For instants, Health and Safety, site establishment and certificates. This makes it very expensive, but the client is almost certain of getting a top notch end result and the installer is almost certain of getting payment.
• Residential Quotes work a bit different. It's more informal. Saving money is usually an important part of the transaction. The person doing the quote needs to do the measurements on site, mostly alone and sometimes without any surveying equipment. I usually email the quote the same day or the day after, because it's not always about the best price, but the best service. Designs are not as elaborate as above and Health and Safety is not priority, bringing the price down quite significantly.

(2) Experience is More Important than Education and Price.

More experience = More mistakes made = Less mistakes will be made in the future.

Although Education are very important, especially when it comes to forces, soil types and calculations; without experience it could lead to overkill or tunnel vision. I had a young engineer tell me to cast concrete in every concrete block and to reinforce it. This almost doubled the cost of the wall. Concrete Retaining Wall blocks are designed to be able to move (a little bit). In a similar situation a brick wall would crack, thus using the retaining wall blocks. So, to cast concrete in each block it makes it impossible for the blocks to move and you might as well build a normal brick wall with reinforcing.

If an experienced contractor tell you that you need 1000 blocks and a newbie quotes on 900, don't just except the cheapest, ask some questions.

(3) Everybody has got their Own Opinion.

Have you listened to a conversation at a braai? Doesn't matter which subject, nobody has exactly the same opinion. It's the same with Retaining Walls. Everyone believe their design is the way to go, but there are unlimited varieties that will stand the test of time. If you are a practical person, normal common sense will tell you if a design is risky.

Finally: My advise it to ask contractors for references, some pictures of their work, their experience and education to make a calculated decision.

(Photo: My introduction to Retaining Walls, back in 1991.)

Quick Guide to Estimate the Cost of Building a Retaining Wall

Most Retaining Wall Contractors will give free quotes, but it is always good to know more or less what you are in for before possibly wasting your and the contractor's time.

It's the quickest quote for me to do. All you got to know is how to calculate square meter and cubic meter.

For this guide, I'm referring to Concrete Retaining Blocks.

How do you calculate the amount of Retaining Wall Blocks you need?

You measure the length of the proposed wall and the height you want it to be. If the wall is less that 1.5m high, I'll add 0.3m to the height and 0.6m if it's higher than 1.5m.

This is because some blocks must be underground to improve the stability. Don't take short-cuts.

To get the square meter of the wall, multiply the height with the length. 

If you use Cape Brick's Retaining Wall Blocks, it takes 12 of their blocks to fill a square meter. So to get the amount of blocks for the wall, you multiply the square meter with 12.

It's about R25 per Smooth Face Block and R30 per Rockface Block, including delivery.

How do you calculate the cost of labour for Retaining Wall Installations?

My average labour cost per block is about R24. This includes supervision, labourers, fuel and admin costs. 

Factors that can influence labour costs:

• Access to the site is difficult. Do you need a helicopter? Is it far from roads?
• Uphill or downhill? Carting blocks uphill can be very tiresome and may ask for more labourers.
• Filling. If there is plenty of filling, it could influence the tempo, thus will increase costs.
• Natural obstacles. Underground water or huge boulders will influence the rate.

Extra costs that can add to your quote.

1. Foundations - Most walls higher than 1.5m require a concrete or stabilized foundation. To be safe, work on R250 per meter.
2. Filling - This is the most difficult calculation. I recommend you make a drawing. Work on R200 per cube, including labour.
3. Sub-soil drains - If you use the system I recommend, you can look at R80 per meter excluding filling.
4. Compaction - When the filling area is wider than 1 meter behind the block, I'll use a forward reverse, but don't come to close to the blocks, as the compactor will move the blocks. Rather use a hand compactor. Work on R450 per day.

All you got to do now is to add all together in an excel sheet. If you can afford what you get, you can now ask Retaining Wall Installers for quotes.

Amazing Alien Looking Creature Poisoned Me