Word on the street traveled fast about Sagona Landscape Contracting’s reputation.
At least that’s how the company won the job of a new client wanting a backyard refresh after an existing client on the same street recommended the company.
“The client wanted to have a functional backyard that his family could use and enjoy for many years to come,” says Kevin Sagona, owner of Sagona Landscape Contracting in Staten Island, New York, which provides landscaping and hardscaping services to a mostly residential (and some commercial) client base.
The refrain “out with the old and in with the new” summed up the scope of the project as the company removed an old concrete patio, drainage system that had failed and retaining walls that were settling. Sagona Landscape Contracting also repaired an existing pool that was leaking.
Those structures were replaced with a new retaining wall, drainage system, patio and concrete pavers.
"We replaced it all because he had a lot of drainage issues," Sagona says. "His retaining wall was collapsing, and his patio looked bad. The problem was that it all pitched in the wrong direction, so he really needed a revamp."
However, not every existing structure was replaced.
“The homeowner has an existing deck and pergola, which we had to be extremely careful working around,” Sagona says. “There was everything in the way, but we were still about to do it and get it done.”
To dig under and around the deck, the company used a Bobcat e20 Excavator with a Bobcat 680 Breaker Attachment.
Another challenge came with the entrance to the jobsite, which was only 42 inches wide. That's where the Bobcat compact equipment came in handy again.
Overall, the company deployed about 60 crew members over two weeks to complete the job.
For other companies looking to complete projects of similar scope, Sagona recommends having the right machinery and skilled workers on hand.
“Here in Staten Island, everything is so tight out here, so if you’re looking to do jobs like we’re doing, you really need the right equipment” Sagona says. “It’s going to take you twice as long trying to do it by hand, and if you rent the machine, you spend so much on a rental that you’re not making as much as you think. So, you really have to have the right equipment and right guys who know how to do the job.”
