Question
Hi Sean, I'm installing a flagstone pathway in the front of my house. The plan is to have it be 4-feet wide. It'll be about 30-feet long, coming from the driveway. I'm not planning on pouring concrete. Instead, I'm planning on just using a type of masonry gravel as the base on which to let the flagstone sit. After doing some research online, I've found I need to dig it about 4-5 inches deep. My problem is simple. Digging out the path. I'm having to weave around several big trees. The ground itself is full of roots, and my initial attempt at using a shovel was disastrous. The soil was just too rocky and too full of roots. It would take me far too much time and man-power to dig out the entire area with a shovel. Any recommendations for power tools that I could rent that could do this job? Something that one or two people could handle?

Answer
Josh:
There are only a couple options. You could use heavy duty picks and put more muscle into it. Or you could use a mini excavator like a dingo,  bobcat or other brand of skid-steer loader. You can rent these tools/equipment for $200 or less. It may cost more if you don't have a large truck and need them delivered. Home Depot tool rental usually has these things already in a trailer.

Those are your only options. If you don't have experience with large mechanized equipment like this I would not recommend it unless you have lots of room for error.


Sean J Murphy
www.seanjmurphy.com