Has anyone just employed a man with a digger to do garden work

[Churchonsundays]

We need some garden landscaping. I’m happy to do the finishing (fine leveling and seeding) myself but we need loads of soil moved and a couple of pointless walls removed. I know if I get a landscaper in this will cost thousands. Wondering if anyone has employed a man with a digger and a skip and just told him what to do?

[Churchonsundays]

Anyone?

[TobyHouseMan]

Yes. Can work out well IF you get one with a brain. Not all digger drivers are the same. What area are you in?

[isseywith4vampirecats]

yes this is what my son does they bring in a digger and then dispose of the soil , his charges are around £80 a load for disposal, cost of the digger at around £150 a day about £350 a day for the two guys doing the work they usually do the finishing off as well but we are in |Yorkshire so may be cheaper than down south

[PhoneLock]

We need some garden landscaping

So do we. My husband has decided he needs buy a digger to do it.

Can work out well IF you get one with a brain.

This why my husband wants to do it himself.

[Churchonsundays]

@PhoneLock I’m considering going on a drive a digger course! You can hire a digger quite cheaply.

[fedupandlookingforchange]

Yes I have as have members of my family. Its a local builder who is very skilled with a mini or full sized digger. Someone who usually digs footings and other accurate things is best.

[PhoneLock]

I’m considering going on a drive a digger course! You can hire a digger quite cheaply.

My husband has suggested me driving the digger and him doing the barrows. Then he started to look at dumper trucks too.

He worked out that it was cheaper to buy than hire as we have a few jobs to do.

[ethelredonagoodday]

Yes literally just this week!

[johnd2]

Yes i was going to say why does it have to be a man, diggers have unisex controls!
Anyway my actual comment is make sure you get someone who will separate the topsoil and subsoil into separate piles and then uses them appropriately.
You don't want to ruin your garden by having a load of subsoil to plant things in, ask anyone who's bought a new build property.

[Churchonsundays]

@johnd2 you’re right. And I consider myself a feminist. I’ve honestly never seen a female digger driver. But I am genuinely grateful for you pulling me up on that point.

[johnd2]

We are all imperfect feminists, trying is more important than perfection! But once you do the digger course all you have to do is look in the mirror to see a female digger driver