As it is, he doesn't know how much the granite itself cost because it was included in the package price quoted by Davis Landscaping Co. Inc. of Lisbon. Six years ago, Davis Landscaping was not using granite at all. But granite these days is enjoying something of a renaissance. A number of reasons contribute to the trend, one of which is a preference of landscapers. Booker said his company started using a lot of granite about four or five years ago, after his designer learned that it was easier to handle than the natural stone the company had commonly used.
Granite is a more expensive material than timber or cement, but it is easy to work with.
So in factoring the cost of granite, landscapers calculate less labor. They're all square and plumb and level. The least expensive material to use for steps is timber, Booker said. But the setup and labor costs of building a wood structure bring its costs close to that of granite. Brick fa ade steps with a concrete base are more expensive than granite, he said.