The A&E Hardscape & Construction Blog
Practical advice on hardscaping, concrete, fencing, landscaping and outdoor construction for Utah homes.
Overgrown Yard Cleanup: A Safe, Step-by-Step Plan
How to clean up an overgrown yard: walk the site, spot hazards, clear in stages, dispose of waste correctly and keep the yard from growing back.
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Automatic Driveway Gates: Types, Costs and How to Choose
How an automatic driveway gate works, sliding vs swing, safety standards, realistic costs and what to settle before installation, from a Utah gate contractor.
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Retaining Wall Drainage: How to Build It Right in Utah
Learn how drainage behind a retaining wall works: gravel, perforated pipe, fabric, outlets, Utah code points and the warning signs that water is building up.
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Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: Plan, Plants and Costs
How to design drought-tolerant landscaping that looks good and uses less water: principles, plants, lawn replacement steps, Utah incentives and what it costs.
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Deck Replacement: When to Tear Out, What It Costs, How It Works
Deck replacement explained: signs it's time to rebuild instead of repair, what drives cost, the steps from demolition to inspection, and how to hire a crew.
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Outdoor Kitchen Countertops: Best Materials, Costs and Care
Compare porcelain, granite, concrete, stainless steel and tile for outdoor kitchen countertops, plus cabinet materials, costs and what holds up in harsh weather.
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Concrete Walkway Cost: 2026 Price Per Square Foot
A new concrete walkway costs about $6 to $15 per square foot installed. See totals by size, finish, removal and site prep, plus ways to budget it well.
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Patchy Grass Repair: How to Fix Bare Spots for Good
Find out why your lawn is patchy, then fix bare spots step by step: prep, seed, watering, timing, and when to replace turf instead of reseeding.
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Gazebo Installation: Costs, Permits and Steps
What gazebo installation really involves: site prep, foundation, anchoring, permits and costs for kits and custom builds, plus when to hire a licensed crew.
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Retaining Wall Replacement: When to Tear Out and Rebuild
Know when a failing retaining wall needs full replacement, how the teardown and rebuild work, what drainage matters, and what to expect on cost and permits.
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Commercial Landscaping Services: Scope, Costs and How to Hire
What commercial landscaping services include, what maintenance and lawn care typically cost per acre, and how property owners can scope, bid and hire the right crew.
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Paver Patio Installation: Steps, Base Depths and When to Hire
How paver patio installation works, from layout and base depth to edging and joint sand, plus extension tips and when a Utah crew is the smarter call.
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Leaning Fence Repair: Find the Cause, Then Fix It Right
Leaning fence repair explained: how to diagnose the cause, brace safely, reset a post in concrete, and know when replacing the post or the fence is smarter.
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Landscape Design Services: What You Get and How to Choose
What landscape design services include, what plans you receive, how the process runs, what affects cost, and how to choose between a designer and a design-build contractor.
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Construction Debris Removal: Options, Costs and Rules
How construction debris removal works in Utah: what counts as debris, dumpster vs. haul-away, sorting, asbestos rules, recycling and how to pick a hauler.
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