No matter what they tell you, no two stones are alike when it comes to choosing flagstone and other landscape stones. Choosing your stones from the same lot and at the same time will ensure some uniformity.

You can't really appreciate how difficult it is to choose natural stones in your landscape, until you actually visit a place like Tri-State Stone and Building Supply in Bethesda, Maryland.

Concrete driveways should last you many years if they are properly installed and spec'd. Here are some recommendations about what to put in the contract and what to avoid.

Often a test of the success or failure of any home remodeling project is whether a reasonable person can identify the new structure. Home remodeling projects that blend in with the existing structures will get high marks, while those that stick out will not.

If you are willing to wait, then younger, well spaced plants can dramatically reduce your landscaping costs. Get multiple written bids on all hardscaping projects.

After installing brick, many masonry contractors will insist on washing it with a mild solution. Washing the brick is not a bad idea, but DO NOT LET THEM POWER/PRESSURE WASH IT.

We are not big fans of power washing brick and stone work. In fact we think it is a bad idea. How come? Well, the last time we had it done, our masonry contractor damaged the brick.

Read our new article entitled "Don't Power Wash Brick and Stonework."

This is the second of two articles that illustrates why it is very important to work with a good masonry contractor who specializes with flagstone.

We discuss laying flagstone on a 48-foot long S-shaped front path in the Washington DC area.

This is the first of two articles that illustrates why it is important to work with your concrete and masonry contractors to implement a landscape plan.