Building a team that pushes for perfection
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Building a team that pushes for perfection
When Craig Breneman left his foreman job and started his own hardscape-only company, he didn't have any work lined up, and spent a good chunk of his savings hiring an expensive website builder. But his website strategy got the phone ringing. His work kept new jobs coming. And his attitude allowed him to develop 3 crew leaders that pretty much run on "autopilot" while he runs the company...
Someone in the office makes a difference
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Someone in the office makes a difference
Josh Graczyk got enough work to keep his only crew busy, just not a lot beyond that, because his mind was focused almost exclusively on the job at hand. Then his wife Kristen began working in the company taking care of payroll, billing, taxes, insurance and advertising. She even does some sales. In general, she ensures things get done, and has been the catalyst that is allowing them to realize their potential...
Keeping water away
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Keeping water away
Everything beneath the surface of interlocking paver and SRW systems that is not specifically designed to drain water – should be kept free of surface water, ground water, and water from adjoining structures such as roofs, down-spouts and irrigation systems. If water is directed toward, or enters, system components, you will most likely have a system failure. You must figure out a way to eliminate water from entering the system before you start construction...
Pavers designed for drainage
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Pavers designed for drainage
Stormwater runoff regulation isn't the only issue driving the growth in pavements that allow drainage into the subsurface. In the snowbelt, the near elimination of ice is a huge selling point for liability/safety conscious clients. In the concrete jungles of inner cities, high-volume drainage pavers are a cost-effective solution to flooding. There is also a growing class of green-conscious consumers – homeowners, colleges and businesses – that want to reduce their contribution to the stormwater runoff problem...
There's more to it than luck
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There's more to it than luck
Developing good relationships with vendors may not bring in the mother lode in referrals from a retiring contractor, and it may not lead to the hiring of a high level employee. But, it will lead to more referrals, special favors and who-knows-what-else over time. Take time to train employees, respect their ideas and involve them in the company, and, hopefully, you will one day have the leaders you want...
  • 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

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


More money, more challenges
August/September 2013

More money, more challenges

High-dollar project takes extra hours to research unfamiliar work, to coordinate with subs and decision-makers and to document volumes of communications. MORE


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