Lake work walls, permeables & cranberries

Contractor Brad Tork does nearly all his work in 2 developments 1 hour apart in central Wisconsin, Nepco Lake and Castle Rock Lake. Brad says 99% of the properties they work on are waterfront properties (mostly vacation homes). So, they do a lot of retaining walls and a lot of permeable pavers. They’ve developed enough expertise in these areas to win a 2019 HNA Project Award. MORE

1-crew company permeable experts

Competition was crazy in lawn maintenance to the point where Key Landscape gave it up in 2006. They’ve done well in hardscaping by becoming experts at it in a market that didn’t have any. Today, Steve Key estimates hardscape accounts for about 90% of their non-snow work. 75% of that is permeable paver driveways. Not what you might expect from a small company with a single 3-man crew... MORE

Finding a happy place

Contractor Mike Darling likes where his company is today. “12 years ago I had up to 17 employees. It was more stress, more call backs and more headaches. The quality wasn’t there and the money wasn’t any better. It was the same amount of profit if I had 17 people or if I had 6 quality people [as he does today].”... MORE

Leading your business through tough times

The Coronavirus has created economic challenges for all small businesses. Subcontractors are no exception. State shutdown rules, local economic conditions, type of work performed, etc. are all factors which contribute to the situation. As a business consultant I have advised contractors during the 1980s oil crisis and 18% interest rates slow down, the 1989 - 1990 savings & loan crunch and the 2008 great recession. The following advice still holds true... MORE

My favorite tools & equipment

Like many hardscapers, we started out with basic tools and rented as needed. Our first laser? Single, manual slope. For a grade rod, we used a 2x4 and marked elevations on it. As our business grew we invested in tools and equipment that have allowed us to do more with less labor. And that has meant more profit, which is of course is what we want. Tools and equipment also save our workers... MORE

Contractor Profiles

Going into Hardscape Rehab

December/January 2020

Going into Hardscape Rehab

Contractor seizes the opportunity to launch a cleaning, re-sanding and sealing business. MORE

Biggest challenge is minimizing challenges

August/September 2019

Biggest challenge is minimizing challenges

Months of planning allow paver specialists to complete large projects to near perfection with minimal issues. MORE

Building a hybrid permeable project

June/July 2019

Building a hybrid permeable project

Hybrid permeable construction provides drainage by a pool while meeting local regulations. MORE

A big beautiful wall

April/May 2019

A big beautiful wall

Overbuilding a residential retaining wall with lots of curves and lots of cutting. MORE

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