safe. The toughest part is going to get it to adhere to the sides of the pond without overlapping the stone border on top. I have done it, but it's not easy. Using a 4" grinder with a diamond blade to cut a 1/8" groove to tuck the liner into will definitely help. There may also be some kind of roll-on rubber coating that is fish safe, but I'm not aware of it.

quality work. Any qualified contractor should be willing to offer proof of insurance and a list of references. Use some caution with Master Gardeners... some aren't masters. :)

blue atlas cedar 6' away from the house. Yes, it looks great for a time. But it can reach 40-50' high and wide. It's not just homeowners, some professionals have done this. :(

there. :)

you are working on a perfectly level area, there is a lot of equipment required to do it correctly. At a minimum, you need a plate tamper rated to at least 7,000 pounds of centrifugal force to completely compact the subgrade (the dirt after you've excavated deep enough for all of your base materials and the pavers and/or wall block). This machine will weigh at least 500 pounds or more, so you can't load and unload it without a machine. (We use a machine rated at 13,500 pounds and weighs over 1,000 pounds!)

Beyond compaction equipment, you'll need something to cut the pavers around the edge. The best tool is a gas powered saw with a 14" diamond blade. You can find diamond blades to fit small electric saws, but you'll probably burn up the saw in the process. :) You'll also need some means of leveling the area; a laser level works best but a string and line level could work too. You want a minimum of 3/16" of slope per linear foot for drainage.

Can you install it without all of the above equipment? You can try, but it may only last a few years before it is settling. A project such as this involves a lot of labor, but the materials are expensive too. The materials for this project probably cost around $5-8,000. If you are making that investment, you want to be sure that it will last.

You CAN do it yourself if you take the time to educate yourself and rent the proper equipment. But I have frequently heard this from my clients "I'm SO glad I didn't try doing it myself! I had no idea how much labor and equipment is required!" but never "I could have done the same thing myself". The project here required almost 300 man hours to install.

If you hire a contractor for your project, ask for references and pictures of previous projects. A reputable contractor should offer this without even being requested to do so. Ask him if he is ICPI (for pavers) or NCMA certified, check his relationship with the company supplying the materials, and ask for a certificate of insurance.

in 100+ years? I'd like to think so, but in reality they probably will need some repairs in that time. But trees are planted for the next generation; properly sited, some trees will last 100% years. They are also proven to improve property value. There have been some studies suggesting that crime rates are also lower in neighborhoods with lots of trees. I tend to think that has more to do with the overall quality of the neighborhood than the actual trees though.

bed (#8 or #9 stone, which will be 3/8" or less). This will provide good drainage, and the Gator Dust should be fine. Otherwise, I would use stone dust or pea gravel for the joints. The nice thing about Gator Dust is that it forms a tight layer that resists weeds, ants, and erosion.

later went back and removed the top course, as he said the heat was just radiating up too high.