Another backyard paradise, Long Island NY, Cedar Ridge Designs

[Twitchy]

This backyard project has 2 waterfalls (8 tons of moss rock), 2 lg cambridge paver patios set on cement (random pattern) and a complete backyard planting. From start to finish i was there about 3 weeks with 3 guys. This was my first project for the 07 season. Designed and built by Cedar Ridge Designs.

[Junior M]

Dont drop the tools! :laugh:

I love the skid, thats what I want if we cant get a T190. You should start one thread of nothing but your work and trucks and stuff like ETW..

[Twitchy]

some pics finished

[Tyler7692]

Looks great, I love your work. Is the moss rock mortared together?

[LawnMan26]

that looks awesome !!!

[Tyler7692]

The only thing I have found (in all the pictures you've posted) that I don't like is the top pond basin (You can see that its black preformed plastic.)

Did you do the irrigation work?

Also, how do you go about plumbing water OUT of the pool and into the water feature?

[Junior M]

When we put them on pools it ran off of the pump and was built in with the pool when we put it in, basically just pumped it up into the water feature and then back into the pool..

[Twitchy]

The only thing I have found (in all the pictures you've posted) that I don't like is the top pond basin (You can see that its black preformed plastic.)

Did you do the irrigation work?

Also, how do you go about plumbing water OUT of the pool and into the water feature?
No, i don't do any irrigation or fencing work, i contract that out to a buddy of mine. There is a waterfall pump on the pool filter set up, installed by the pool company. It pulls the water from the bottom drain. The pump ranges from 3/4 hp to 2 hp.

[Twitchy]

Looks great, I love your work. Is the moss rock mortared together?
Yes the moss rock is motared around the waterfall, so no water gets behind.(i still use a 45mil liner though)

[Junior M]

No, i don't do any irrigation or fencing work, i contract that out to a buddy of mine. There is a waterfall pump on the pool filter set up, installed by the pool company. It pulls the water from the bottom drain. The pump ranges from 3/4 hp to 2 hp.
Thats the way we did it on the few pools we built with that on them..

[Twitchy]

Dont drop the tools! :laugh:

I love the skid, thats what I want if we cant get a T190. You should start one thread of nothing but your work and trucks and stuff like ETW..
Thanks for checking out my pics. Go with the t190, you'll love it.Even though the s185 is great machine i have no problems at all. I'm in the market for a t300. With crappy weather i lose a couple days during a job with the wheel machine. I kinda regret buying it, but at the time it's all i can afford.

[Junior M]

Thanks for checking out my pics. Go with the t190, you'll love it.Even though the s185 is great machine i have no problems at all. I'm in the market for a t300. With crappy weather i lose a couple days during a job with the wheel machine. I kinda regret buying it, but at the time it's all i can afford.
We want a T190, just cant afford a new one, we dont want to get a used, to much that could go wrong with it so we'll deal with a wheeled skid for now..

[Twitchy]

This was my first job for the 09' season. Started it the last week in march and completed it early April. The patio pavers are Cambridge 6x9's from the round table collection,and the color is golden onyx w/ a natural onyx border. Two circle kits were also used to break up the 45 degree herring bone pattern. The pavers were layed on a 6'' rca base w/ an inch of sand. The fire pit is also from Cambridge and the color is natural onyx. To give the fire pit a more finished look I used 3'' caps on the top coarse. The pond is an Aquascapes signature series kit built w/ Long Island boulders(first time i used them)and came together without problem. I've built dozens of pondless waterfalls but this was my first pond. Douglas firs, a bloodgood maple, a snow sprite cedar, and other shrubs and perennials were use for continuous color through out the seasons. Ive been pretty busy this yr, so my posts are a little slow.

[duranlandscaping]

I see you also have an S250. How do you like that machine?

[Twitchy]

Finished pics

[tstutz]

looks great!

[2brothersyardcare]

absolutely fantastic

[mowerdude777]

you do amazing work

[JDavisLandscapes]

Great work man. I really like your landscape designs. Do you do them yourself or sub them out? I like the hardscape work as well!

[Junior M]

The work looks awesome! How is the S250 running?

[riverwalklandscaping]

loooks great

[Twitchy]

I see you also have an S250. How do you like that machine?
Great machine no problems at all. Wished i had a T300 in the beginning of May though, we lost 11 days to rain.

[Twitchy]

The work looks awesome! How is the S250 running?
The skid's running great, i've got a little more than 80hrs on it. I haven't been the site for awhile what's up, get any new machinery?

[Twitchy]

Great work man. I really like your landscape designs. Do you do them yourself or sub them out? I like the hardscape work as well!
This project was designed and installed by me. When designing a larger project, i work with a landscape designer so i can estimate materials, costs and measurements to scale. Check out this link of a larger project that i contracted out the design.http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=254747 . I also recently became ICPI and NCMA certified. Thanks for checking out my pics

[wcoltharp]

Your work looks great! Also, I have to hand it to you for having a great website as well. I find so many guys do great work but sell themselves short on their websites. Keep up the great work!

[JDavisLandscapes]

This project was designed and installed by me. When designing a larger project, i work with a landscape designer so i can estimate materials, costs and measurements to scale. Check out this link of a larger project that i contracted out the design.http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=254747 . I also recently became ICPI and NCMA certified. Thanks for checking out my pics


No Problem man. Other project looks really nice too! Looking foward to doing some larger projects like this in the future. I'm working on a $25k install now. Still on the drawing board. Should break ground in about 3 weeks. I only just turned 21 so I'm slowly on my way. Buying equipment and stuff as I have the cash......here's some pics of my work......http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=268980&page=19

[Twitchy]

No Problem man. Other project looks really nice too! Looking foward to doing some larger projects like this in the future. I'm working on a $25k install now. Still on the drawing board. Should break ground in about 3 weeks. I only just turned 21 so I'm slowly on my way. Buying equipment and stuff as I have the cash......here's some pics of my work......http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=268980&page=19
Work looks good man, nice tight cut and straight lines. Just one thing, you planted that japanese cut leaf maple too close to the house in one of your pics.

[JDavisLandscapes]

Work looks good man, nice tight cut and straight lines. Just one thing, you planted that japanese cut leaf maple too close to the house in one of your pics.

Thanks for the compliments!

I agree with you. I didnt do that planting. Just the retaining wall. When I left it was just dirt behind the wall. They bought and planted their own material. I should have specified that in the post...

I might be doing my first pond with a waterfall soon. I took the class on it at Rutgers but still haven't put any of the info to use yet! It will be in a frends backyard, so it'll be a good practice run!

[Twitchy]

Some more finished pics.

[Twitchy]

This backyard project was completed in 2008. It consisted of 1200 sqft of 6x9's, crack colonial stacking stone, three sets of steps and a lg three spill pondless waterfall. We also laid 17 skids of sod and enough plant material to pack a nursery. The waterfall was built with moss rock and some L.I. boulders were also thrown into the mix.

[Twitchy]

Some completed pics

[ecko]

Your work is AMAZING!! Great job!!!!

[Twitchy]

One of my favorite waterfalls that i've built.

[growinggreen]

looks great...nice designs

[Twitchy]

Your work is AMAZING!! Great job!!!!
Thanks ecko for checking out my work.

[ecko]

Keep posting them, we can all learn alot from them and they are a pleasure to look at!

[pitrack]

One of my favorite waterfalls that i've built.

That looks great, as do the other pictures.

[pitrack]

some pics finished

Love the work but I have a question. Is the fourth picture, where you can visibly see the weir for the waterfall, a finished product? Or did you cover up the black plastic with more rocks?

[AL Inc]

Work looks great, Twitchy...I really like that last set of pics. I see your trucks around from time to time, most of our work is in Melville, Dix Hills/South Huntington. Hope your having a good season.:waving:

[rusty_keg_3]

Wow, thats freakin awesome!

[Twitchy]

Love the work but I have a question. Is the fourth picture, where you can visibly see the weir for the waterfall, a finished product? Or did you cover up the black plastic with more rocks?
The 4th pic is actually from last yr when it was just finished. The first couple pics are from this july, everything is really starting to take off. Thanks for checking out my pics.

[Twitchy]

Work looks great, Twitchy...I really like that last set of pics. I see your trucks around from time to time, most of our work is in Melville, Dix Hills/South Huntington. Hope your having a good season.:waving:
Thanks AL INC, glad to see some L.I. companies on this site. That project is in south Huntington (off wolf hill rd). What's your company's name. Are you guys into landscape construction or maintenance. Thanks for checking out my pics. See ya out there

[Twitchy]

We built this pondless waterfall in September 08'. For this pondless I used an Aquascapes signature series kit and moss rock (which i love working with). We used 25 yds of topsoil and mix of evergreen and deciduous plant material. The four bottom stones and the spill stone took 3/4 of a day to set, whatta pain in the a$$. But waterfall came together perfect.

[Twitchy]

I like to hand and machine chisel the spill stone for a perfect water spill. That me sitting on the rock letting the old man work a little.

[Twitchy]

Looks great in the winter too

[orlawncaresvc]

you do awesome work. a lot of detail, i like that.

[Chris G]

great work, your attention to detail is incredible. keep it up

[pitrack]

Looks good.

[Twitchy]

great work, your attention to detail is incredible. keep it up
Thanks Chris G, sometimes its the attention to detail that make you stand out.

[oakhillslandscaping]

great work. im oblivious to waterfalls. how do you keep it flowing in the winter

[Clonts Landscaping]

Great work

[rusty_keg_3]

Wow man, that looks AWESOME!

[Twitchy]

great work. im oblivious to waterfalls. how do you keep it flowing in the winter
I shut down most of the lazy customers waterfalls so they don't freeze over. You can keep them running all winter if you pay attention to temperature. Single digits temps will stop the water flow.

[cleancutccl]

your small signs that you leave behind are they wood or plastic? We usually put up a sign while working but don't leave anything behind for long periods, but I think it would definitely add to some more work from previous jobs. Thanks for posting.

[Twitchy]

your small signs that you leave behind are they wood or plastic? We usually put up a sign while working but don't leave anything behind for long periods, but I think it would definitely add to some more work from previous jobs. Thanks for posting.
Sorry for the delayed answer cleancutccl. The signs are plastic and i've gotten some work from them being left on finished projects. Thanks for checking out my thread

[NEWGUYRI]

Firstly, Amazing work!!!

Secondly, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you bill for that complete install in the first set of pictures(Pg. 1)?

[Ben's Landscape]

WOW that water feature is great!! How long did that take??

[New Heights]

I like to hand and machine chisel the spill stone for a perfect water spill. That me sitting on the rock letting the old man work a little.

What is your guy doing with that drill or sawzall?

[cleancutccl]

When you pile the topsoil for the waterfall are you compacting it some how while you pile or do you just put it in a mound and set your stones. I would think with as high as some of your falls you would have a good amount of settling.

[White Gardens]

Great Looking work there Twitchy.

[Twitchy]

WOW that water feature is great!! How long did that take??
A waterfall like that takes about 3 days to build w/ 3 guys and a day to plant and mulch. Thanks for checking out my thread

[Twitchy]

What is your guy doing with that drill or sawzall?
That's me w/ a hammer drill. I like to chisel the stone sometimes for a perfect spill. That's what you call attention to details LOL. Thanks for checking out my pics

[Twitchy]

When you pile the topsoil for the waterfall are you compacting it some how while you pile or do you just put it in a mound and set your stones. I would think with as high as some of your falls you would have a good amount of settling.
I hand tamp the areas around the biofalls and stream so there is minimal settling. As for the boulders i just set them in. They're so heavy they're not going anywhere. Thanks for check out my thread.

[Twitchy]

Firstly, Amazing work!!!

Secondly, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you bill for that complete install in the first set of pictures(Pg. 1)?
I try not to talk about project costs, but thanks for checking out my pics.

[NEWGUYRI]

I try not to talk about project costs, but thanks for checking out my pics.

Thats respectable. I am not into anything as involved as full installs, etc. In the distant future, after high school/university, I can see myself doing as excellent work. I was just curious, I figured there was no harm in asking.

[scagmower]

All the work looks really good!!!how many guys do you have working and also do you just do new installs or other things like maint or mowing? thanks :usflag:

[Brian Schmidt]

Posted via Mobile Device

[White Gardens]

So Twitchy,

I've been looking at the pond-less water falls, and am wondering if there is any issues with the catch basins filling up with silt between the stones over time.

I think they are a great design idea, and am just wondering if anyone has had any issues with, or if they are designed to combat silt and debris.

[Twitchy]

All the work looks really good!!!how many guys do you have working and also do you just do new installs or other things like maint or mowing? thanks :usflag:
We have 10 full time guys including me. My division (the construction side) usually run 3-4 depending on the project. The rest of the guys are split between grass, pruning, mulch , flowers etc. Thanks scagmower. By the way we only run scags in our trailers.

[Twitchy]

So Twitchy,

I've been looking at the pond-less water falls, and am wondering if there is any issues with the catch basins filling up with silt between the stones over time.

I think they are a great design idea, and am just wondering if anyone has had any issues with, or if they are designed to combat silt and debris.
So far white gardens i've hadn't had an problems like that. I've been installing them for about 4yrs. When i dig the basin i excavate about 4-6 inch extra on the bottom and rock underneath the snorkel so that the silt will never be sucked up once it settles. It also helps to pre-wash the gravel. Thanks for checking out my thread.

[Twitchy]

Thats respectable. I am not into anything as involved as full installs, etc. In the distant future, after high school/university, I can see myself doing as excellent work. I was just curious, I figured there was no harm in asking.
No harm newguyri, if you want to see a 6 digit project i completed last yr check out this thread. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=254747

[scagmower]

We have 10 full time guys including me. My division (the construction side) usually run 3-4 depending on the project. The rest of the guys are split between grass, pruning, mulch , flowers etc. Thanks scagmower. By the way we only run scags in our trailers.

heck yeah twitchy!!! scags the way to go:weightlifter:!!! Im looking forward to seeing more picts of your work, i got a thread on here myself check it out sometime if you have some spare time haha, thats one thing i cant seem to find these days, spare time hahaha

[Twitchy]

I looked at this project probably in early April, discussed some design ideas w/ the customer and didn't hear anything until early June. They shopped around w/ other contractors and then gave me the go ahead. The patio was already completed by another company, and the customer was not thrilled. The pitch was incorrect in areas and some crappy paver cuts. We cut 15' of the pool coping off and built a sm moss rock waterfall. Filled the new beds w/ trees shrubs and perennials. Topped it off w/ some mulch, annuals, and sod, now it's a backyard. Great sm project. This fall i'll be building a new stoop and paver driveway for this customer.

[Twitchy]

Some more landscape pics

[JDavisLandscapes]

Looks great twitch, as always. Keep it up man.

[mrusk]

Twitchy I was looking at the first project you posted on page one. How high would you say that water fall is? And how much depth is there to it? I am trying to figure out if I have enough room on a project to build a similar fall.

[Twitchy]

Twitchy I was looking at the first project you posted on page one. How high would you say that water fall is? And how much depth is there to it? I am trying to figure out if I have enough room on a project to build a similar fall.
I think that waterfall was around 36''-38'' from the spill stone to the water line in the pool. My basic rule of thumb is what ever your height is, double the depth for planting and erosion control (unless you construct a retaining wall). Check out this thread the waterfall is similar just has two spills. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=254747 Bye the way Mrusk that raised patio is pretty sick. Never built one that big yet. Techo block is the finest stuff out there.

[Twitchy]

Looks great twitch, as always. Keep it up man.
Thanks J Davis, how's business been treating you? Did you start that big job you had on the design table?

[mrusk]

twitchy- thanks for the compliment. It looks like the pools you work on are liner pools with concrete walls. In my area of NJ all liner pools are steel walled. How do you propose I intergrate the rocks with the side of the pool?

[Junior M]

twitchy- thanks for the compliment. It looks like the pools you work on are liner pools with concrete walls. In my area of NJ all liner pools are steel walled. How do you propose I intergrate the rocks with the side of the pool?
since when do they have liner pools with concrete walls? ;)

[mrusk]

since when do they have liner pools with concrete walls? ;)

since the mob took over the concrete businesses on LI

[Junior M]

since the mob took over the concrete businesses on LI
Ok, yeah.. ;)

Seriously, if your talking about a conventional vinyl liner pool, having concrete walls would totally ruin the purpose of the vinyl liner.. I've never seen different and am a subcontractor for a pool installation/rebuild/service company that specializes in vinyl liner pools.

[mrusk]

Ok, yeah.. ;)

Seriously, if your talking about a conventional vinyl liner pool, having concrete walls would totally ruin the purpose of the vinyl liner.. I've never seen different and am a subcontractor for a pool installation/rebuild/service company that specializes in vinyl liner pools.



Wow junior I didn't know you could be a sub contractor when your still in high school.


Here is a link I just found. http://www.petealewinepools.com/construction-vinyl.htm

[Junior M]

Wow junior I didn't know you could be a sub contractor when your still in high school.


Here is a link I just found. http://www.petealewinepools.com/construction-vinyl.htm
Umm yeah, its not like there is a ton of work right now.. And we've been a sub for this guy for going on 3 years.. :hammerhead:

And never seen that before, never even heard anyone speak of one, never even seen information on that at the supplie house.. Have to ask about it next time I am up there..

[Twitchy]

Ok, yeah.. ;)

Seriously, if your talking about a conventional vinyl liner pool, having concrete walls would totally ruin the purpose of the vinyl liner.. I've never seen different and am a subcontractor for a pool installation/rebuild/service company that specializes in vinyl liner pools.
Unless your cheap and looking for a deal almost all new pool installs especially free form pools have cement walls. The designs are endless too. Check out www.deckandpatio.com to see some of the creative cement wall vinyl liner pools. Their design and build team are second to none. Steel wall pools are still out there, but why??? And how does it ruin the purpose vinyl by installing it over cement Junior?

[Twitchy]

since the mob took over the concrete businesses on LI
How did you find out???

[Junior M]

Unless your cheap and looking for a deal almost all new pool installs especially free form pools have cement walls. The designs are endless too. Check out www.deckandpatio.com to see some of the creative cement wall vinyl liner pools. Their design and build team are second to none. Steel wall pools are still out there, but why??? And how does it ruin the purpose vinyl by installing it over cement Junior?
Like I said, I've been around these things for 3 years(not that long, I know but I've seen a tiny bit) and never heard a thing about this type of pool?

I was thinking a totally different kind, like a rough finish, kind of like gunnite(sp?) and then putting vinyl over that.. Why not just concrete the whole thing.. But I get it now, kind of like a basement wall..

[mrusk]

Its a regional thing. If you go to florida or arizona and try to explain what a liner pool is they will have no idea what you are talking about. Its all gunite there. And the gunite pools there are less then the liner pools in the north east. Here in North Jersey all liner pools are steel walled.

[Twitchy]

twitchy- thanks for the compliment. It looks like the pools you work on are liner pools with concrete walls. In my area of NJ all liner pools are steel walled. How do you propose I intergrate the rocks with the side of the pool?
I've never done a moss rock coping on a steel wall pool before. But if i had to i'd probably build a 24'' wide x 12'' deep footing and even undermine the steel coping and also fill it w/ cement to support the steel wall for the added weight of the rock. I still believe that you guys don't see cement walls w/ vinyl liners. Let me know what you come up with. I just recently finished a new free form pool with 2000sqft of Techo Athena, 18 tons of moss rock and a three spill waterfall into the pool. I gotta post the pics .

[OrangeToys]

I wish that was my back yard, look amazing. you should PM me and teach me something.

[Twitchy]

I completed this project about a 2 weeks ago. The backyard belongs to my good friend's father. The area of the project was small but we managed to install a trex deck w/ bench seating, a small Techo paver patio, curved steps leading down to the deck using Techo's Rocka steps, and two small boulder retaining walls. Topped it all off w/ a three spill waterfall into a sm pond. Most of all the water features i built are at ground level and built up from there. This one started at pool height and was built going down. Not fun w. no machine and heavy ass boulders.

[Twitchy]

Some more finished pics.

[syzer]

That looks great man!

[greatinmulchbeds]

wow...you do some really nice water features! great work

[Twitchy]

That looks great man!
Thanks syzer, how's that sick truck of yours? Did you put it to work yet?

wow...you do some really nice water features! great work Thanks, man i try to keep them as natural as possible.

[syzer]

Thanks syzer, how's that sick truck of yours? Did you put it to work yet?

Thanks bro, its out putting some 4" cal cherries in today, planted 20 10' leylands last Friday. Sticker place is dragging their feet so every time the guys need it they have to go pick it up and drop it back off to them =(.

[OrangeToys]

Looks amazing. Keep up the good work.

[scagmower]

looks real nice, extremely professional and natural :cool2:

[AdamChrap]

Very Nice!

[Twitchy]

I love customers that spent a truck load of cash and then call you back when the bank account is full again. The customer of the backyard project on page 4 of this thread hates seeing their neighbors so he called me about screening the property. 12'-14' leylands are in stock at the nursery. Just one problem, no machine access. The backyard is finished and the customer doesn't want to track it up. So we had to ball cart 5 800-1000lbs trees in the backyard, not fun.

[Twitchy]

The customer was also scheduled for an outdoor kitchen that was going to connect to the existing patio. We excavated 14'' of soil and poured a 6'' wire reinforced concrete slab. The frame is getting built out of 8'' block and rebar. We built it with a slight curve because nothing else but the steps are straight.

[etwman]

I have witness first hand granite countertops cracking and veneer going to pot without a footer on outdoor kitchens, blocked up from 3-4' down. Even on a slab. To truthfully do kitchens right you have to go down below frost lines. Good luck.

First words out of our mouths when designing a backyard paradise are do you think you'll want an outdoor kitchen either now or down the road. You can always make provisions for one early in the stage and save a ton of money later.

[Twitchy]

I have witness first hand granite countertops cracking and veneer going to pot without a footer on outdoor kitchens, blocked up from 3-4' down. Even on a slab. To truthfully do kitchens right you have to go down below frost lines. Good luck.

First words out of our mouths when designing a backyard paradise are do you think you'll want an outdoor kitchen either now or down the road. You can always make provisions for one early in the stage and save a ton of money later.
The customer and i had made sm provisions, like having the piping for propane and the electric also wired. Thanks for the tip on footer depth.

[mrusk]

Even if you just through a 16" sona tube in each corner down to frost line you would of been 10x more better off.

[Twitchy]

Even if you just through a 16" sona tube in each corner down to frost line you would of been 10x more better off.
First time i built one out of block, the two prior were wall stone (techo/cambridge). How did you make out w/ the waterfall. Bye the way the raised patio is MASSIVE!!!

[STIHL GUY]

wow. that looks great

[etwman]

Even if you just through a 16" sona tube in each corner down to frost line you would of been 10x more better off.

I agree, in two years you'll be tearing that out. You can't build kitchens that way. They are too expensive to cut corners on. When we tell clients outdoor kitchens are $20-$100k were not kidding.

[Twitchy]

I agree, in two years you'll be tearing that out. You can't build kitchens that way. They are too expensive to cut corners on. When we tell clients outdoor kitchens are $20-$100k were not kidding.
Spoke to a good friend of mine today about the outdoor kitchen footing. He said going deeper wouldn't have hurt but you should have no problems w/ cracking. His company does high end gunite pools and hardscape/outdoor construction. This yr his company finished Jennifer Lopez's +1/2 million dollar project at her north shore L.I. mansion. So he does have some creds. Your saying in two yrs they'll be problems. If your a gambling man etw i'll take pics in the spring of 2010 -2011 and if your wrong you have to work one day for me. I'll let you run the wet saw all day. Don't worry i'll give you gloves, i don't want to harden those palmolive soft hands. If i'm wrong i'll wash all of your trucks in a bikini (plus repair the kitchen).

[AL Inc]

LOL Twitchy...you up for that challenge, etw?

[Twitchy]

The cultured stone is EP Henry, better color than Owens Corning and $2.00 cheaper a sqft.

[pitrack]

Lookin good