Lessons learned from years building walls
Features

Lessons learned from years building walls
John Franklin and Joe Powers have seen massive changes in markets over the years. Margins for general commercial SRW installation are much tighter now than they were in the earlier years, especially since 2008's great recession. Today's competitive environment reaffirms the need to stay ahead of the game. John says, "We roll with whatever's going on, and do what it takes to learn new and better ways of doing things."...
Building walls in tight spaces
Features

Building walls in tight spaces
Geogrid holds a special place in engineer Bart Shippee's heart. "Geogrid is a very cost-effective way to build well-stabilized retaining walls. So, if you've got room for it, use it." But, what if you don't have room for geogrid, and need to build a taller wall? Bart's also designed a lot of walls that rely on other methods to stabilize retaining walls...
Are the big leagues (in SRWs) better?
Features

Are the "big leagues" (in SRWs) better?
Every spring, college baseball players dream of the big leagues. Many hardscape contractors, too, wonder about moving into the big project market, imagining big profits building tall, expansive walls. At spring training, our off-season training sessions, we always give what we call a "scared straight" talk, so that contractors take time to think about the many factors involved in taking a leap from smaller walls to big walls for large corporations or municipalities...
Water features sell hardscape
Features

Water features sell hardscape
Installing simple water features with a hardscape project is a difference-maker for winning new clients. Yet, as a small piece of your project, water features can add a disproportionately large amount to your profit. Plus, the industry has come so far in recent years that you can offer a menu of options that you install as easily as following a kit, and maintenance is minimal...
Don't stay in death valley
Features

Don't stay in "death valley"
In the contracting business, you will find that there are peaks and valleys of growth. A peak of growth is where your overhead and your volume are in perfect harmony. Maybe it's just you and your spouse running a business. You can do probably $1 million dollars and you're at the peak. Then you decide to hire someone to take over some of your responsibilities...
  • Growth makes you busy; efficiency makes you profitable
  • Growth makes you busy; efficiency makes you profitable
  • Growth makes you busy; efficiency makes you profitable
  • Growth makes you busy; efficiency makes you profitable
  • Growth makes you busy; efficiency makes you profitable

Contractor Profiles

Someone in the office makes a difference
February/March 2014

Someone in the office makes a difference

Finally having a capable person managing the office spurs growth for a contractor focused on the field. MORE


Building a team that pushes for perfection
December/January 2014

Building a team that pushes for perfection

Quality website starts company on the right foot while uncompromising service and construction keep it growing. MORE


Thriving on premium paver maintenance
December/January 2014

Thriving on premium paver maintenance

Highly specialized crews restore, clean, sand and seal very high-end homes for a 100% paver and deck maintenance company. MORE


Doing spectacular work; building Monumental walls
October/November 2013

Growth makes you busy; efficiency makes you profitable

Highly-trained employees with the tools to do the job do extraordinary work without someone standing over them. MORE


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