Installer champ, HNA demo builder, masonry expert

Bobby Cooper became the go-to guy for pavers back in 1988 working for his father’s masonry/poured concrete contracting company. Bobby custom builds things like pizza ovens and fireplaces from scratch. He is a wizard at cutting Pennsylvania Bluestone with a hand-held gas cut-off saw. For 7 years, he’s been the installer Hardscape North America has looked to for building their demo area displays. In addition, Bobby won the 2015 HNA Installer Championship along with his partner Daniel Kramer Jr... MORE

Insights on installing slabs

Over the past 3 years we have seen a significant increase in requests from our clients for larger and larger paving slabs. Pavers large enough to be classified as slabs perform differently than regular pavers. I have seen slab projects where many of the pieces cracked during compaction into the bedding sand, or cracked from the loads they were required to carry. There are things you can do to prevent these things, while also improving your production rate... MORE

Getting paid

Last issue I wrote how GoldGlo Landscapes’ foremen collect payments, and nearly always get paid immediately. So, I asked Consultant Jerry Gaeta what he recommends to ensure you get paid. He says the number 1 reason contractors don't get paid is that payment terms aren’t spelled out clearly in the beginning. But, Jerry says putting the terms in writing isn’t enough. You need to verbally go over the dollar amounts and due dates...

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Set the standard for cleaning & sealing service

I started sealing pavers as a contractor more than 10 years ago. Not having any resources to turn to back then, we learned from our mistakes. After sealing over 4 million square feet of pavers, we learned what worked well and what didn’t. We were able to raise the bar and set the standard in our area for paver restoration companies to follow. Here are some tips from what we learned that can help you become the best of the best in sealer application...

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Are hardscapers special?

I was a 25-year old business owner with almost no money. I was seated in my ridiculously small office, a 10’ x 12’ portable building in Dad’s backyard. I was talking to a recent college graduate about coming to work in my little landscaping company. I had a nervous feeling in my stomach as we talked about the company, the job and money. I did pretty good that day, because he accepted my job offer of low pay and incredible future potential...

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VANDER KOOI &
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Contractor Profiles

Seeking help to save a company

June/July 2016

Seeking help to save a company

A contractor learns that growing a company without business experience he could “lose it all.” MORE

Years consumed on 1 project

April/May 2016

Years consumed on 1 project

Failures by a past contractor lead to trial projects then to 2+ years of non-stop work creating an award winner. MORE

Don’t grow bigger; get better

February/March 2016

Don’t grow bigger; get better

Earth, Turf & Wood has the infrastructure to grow, but instead puts their efforts into becoming better at what they do. MORE

99% estimating accuracy & tripled sales

December/January 2016

99% estimating accuracy & tripled sales

Implementing a high level of job costing and budgeting/overhead recovery systems “dramatically” improves profits. MORE

See More Contractor Profiles

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