Stone weathers Lake Michigan storms

This 2019 HNA award winning natural stone installation is more than just a pretty project. With Lake Michigan at near record high water levels, storms are producing waves as high as 20’ causing severe damage to lake shore properties like this one. That’s why the project is designed so that incoming waves will sheet over the stone and drain thru the lawn. The entire turf area is constructed as a drainage field... MORE

Working to be the best

“For years I thought most companies operated like we do,” reflects hardscape-only contractor Dan Hughes. “We had no clue that we were among the best in the country.” Competing in the Installer Competitions was the eye opener for him. His Segmental Systems Inc. team won the Pacific Northwest Hardscape Installer Competition each of the 4 years they entered. They won the national HNA Installer Competition in 2018 and 2019, the only team ever to win twice. MORE

Managing your business thru these crazy covid times

The covid-19 pandemic has literally turned this world upside down. I would like to share a few things that my company is doing to navigate these crazy times. One of the first things we did was develop an emergency preparedness response plan. It sets the rules, guidelines and procedures to prevent, contain and manage most anything coronavirus related that comes up with our crews and jobsites. We refer to our plan often... MORE

Training can make your company exceptional

Training employees has been one of the keys to the success of my company. Without our focus on training, we would not be doing the large involved projects we do, our profits would not be as high and our employees’ pride in their work wouldn’t be near where it is today. Even if a well-trained employee eventually leaves, at least we will have the benefit of increased productivity while he was with our company... MORE

Porcelain pavers come a long way

Outdoor porcelain pavers are still relatively new in North America having been first introduced about 6 years ago — but their popularity is growing rapidly. Porcelain offers a combination of aesthetic beauty and performance characteristics that make it an easy selection as more homeowners, architects and designers learn more about them... MORE

Contractor Profiles

Finding a happy place

June/July 2020

Biggest challenge is minimizing challenges

Contractor finds peace & profits transitioning to hardscape with a smaller, diverse, skilled crew. MORE

Lake work walls, permeables & cranberries

April/May 2020

Lake work walls, permeables & cranberries

Waterfront properties comprise 99% of Progressive’s work so they do lots of retaining walls and permeable pavers. MORE

1-crew company permeable experts

February/March 2020

1-crew company permeable experts

Key Landscape has found success by educating themselves to become hardscaping specialists. MORE

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

See More Contractor Profiles

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