Remaking a struggling company
Features

Remaking a struggling company
Over the course of a few years Switzer’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. went from 30 employees down to 3. They went from 5 installation crews and 1 maintenance crew down to 1 crew total, and they shut down the retail garden center that had been in the family for 50+ years. Today, the company is back up to 2 crews, and is more profitable. The garden center has been transformed into a wedding and events center...
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...
What's keeping you out of the water feature business?
Features

What's keeping you out of the water feature business?
A lot of the reasons contractors give for staying out of the water feature business just aren't valid anymore; some never were valid. So much has changed in recent years that water feature installation is now much, much easier. Kits have come on the market with everything you need. Products are made much better. Training is now widely available. The emergence of simple water feature products means they fit on any property...
Managing projects by teamwork
Features

Managing projects by teamwork
I believe very strongly that construction companies need to be run by teamwork. If you are running your company dictatorially, you are running it with tunnel vision. There are things that are happening to you that you cannot see, and you will never see because you are not allowing anyone around you to show you those things. I hope you can gain some insight from my experience with a 3-person team that ran a contracting company...
Shaping the next generation of employees
Features

Shaping the next generation of employees
One of the biggest dilemmas facing our industry is finding qualified employees. For this article I want to take a look at how we as contractors can influence the curriculums and training at our local vocational high schools, community colleges and universities as well as ICPI and NCMA certification programs. Hiring laborers who have a solid background of hardscape knowledge and who know correct installation procedures has been important for my company’s success...
  • 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

Are your designs falling from fashion?
June/July 2014

Are your designs falling from fashion?

Getting creative in paver design lets Farley Interlocking Paving appeal to more people in more markets. MORE


Lessons learned from years building walls
April/May 2014

Lessons learned from years building walls

Continually expanding skills and improving efficiencies ensures success in the constantly changing market. MORE


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


See More Contractor Profiles
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