Building a dry stone wall is a specialist's job

Landscaping is such a very diverse industry and it is possible to design almost any feature and use any material to create an effect in a garden.

Some practices are favoured over others but one particular specialist skill that can only be practised by a talented few is dry stone walling.

Richard Clegg is one of those 'artists' who is able create dry stone features that will stand the test of time.

I am pleased to welcome Richard as a guest blogger and make sure that you pop over to look at Richard's work on his profile page on the Landscape Juice Network.

In these troubled times I feel that taking the decision many years ago to specialize in the art of dry stone walling was a good one - writes Richard Clegg.

In a global economy it is important to offer a service that can’t be factored out to cheaper sources. Being small helps too.

Giant businesses have giant overheads and giant debts. Being a self employed dry stone wall craftsman I feel like a small fury mammal witnessing the onset of the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Just like those early mammals I have to be adaptable to my environment and quick on my toes. I have to target marketing very carefully and network (which is why I love Landscape Juice Network) and be prepared to rise to many and divers challenges.

Over the last year I have built over 200m of traditional dry stone walling to a stream side in the middle of winter, built a “dry stone” waterfall and several garden ponds and of course built garden walls to the highest standard. Stone sales have also been important.

I endeavour to supply just the right stone for the job. Its incredible how many different types of walling stone there are. Thankfully you can’t buy this stuff from a builder’s merchant so there is my niche!

As a self employed specialist I aim to exceed the expectations of my clients whilst keeping my overheads down. I have a policy of only employing labourers when absolutely necessary.

It is amazing how accommodating clients and contractors are when it comes to supplying materials and labour. It is important not to let the smallness of my operation limit the amount of work that can be taken on though.

To deal with this I pass large contracting orders on to an associate contract walling company who provide an excellent service, especially to the construction industry.
In return I ask for a commission as the interest in dry stone often arises from a client or designer viewing my website following long hours of my banging out those emails.

The number one priority in all this is personal health. The demands of the dry stone walling are considerable but seem almost outweighed by the needs of marketing, meeting clients and of course, paper work.

It is important to eat healthily and not smoke! I took up kick boxing eight months ago and am up for a fight in May. Not bad for a forty eight year old! So let’s hear it for the small furry creatures.