Show project scores big leads & awards

And the winner of the first ever Residential Porcelain HNA Project Award is … Pacific Outdoor Living’s installation at the 2017 Pasadena Showcase House of Design. The project also won a 1st place porcelain project award from Belgard. Company President Terry Morrill says, “We typically sell $1 million a year from this show. It's a big marketing event for us...” MORE

You don’t have to go it alone

Contractor Joe Markell says this business is tough enough without hamstringing yourself by not taking the time to learn how to be successful and make money. “I realized a long time ago I wasn't going to figure it out on my own. NALP has helped us with just about everything, budgeting, job costing, how to handle employees, how to get customers, all the different things that go into our type of business....” MORE

5 important tools for efficiency

These days efficiency seems even more important as the labor force we are drawing from is shrinking. One way to make up for smaller crews is to have the right tools and equipment to pick up the slack. Below are some of the latest and greatest tech tools we have incorporated into our daily work that have played a major role in our efficiency over the past 5 years... MORE

Natural stone stands the test of time

If you consider wonders of the world such as Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the Colosseum, you cannot help but be awestruck by the 2 things these ancient structures all have in common: they are a testament to time, and they’re all made of natural stone. In addition to durability, natural stone offers a broad range of unique patterns, textures and colors. Is it any wonder so many manufactured pavers are designed to mimic natural stone... MORE

Mrs. Wheeler’s pond

Some years ago, I told our pond crew that if they finished Mrs. Wheeler’s pond by the end of the day, I would pay them each a bonus of $100. They drove out to the residence to find no one home, a barking dog in the backyard and a padlock on the gate. Now, without the incentive of a bonus, I can attest that this crew would have turned back to the shop and cleaned out their trailer all day... MORE

Contractor Profiles

Getting paid for your knowledge

June/July 2018

Getting paid for your knowledge

Finding success by gaining expertise in work where there’s less competition, and promoting it. MORE

Building an SRW to bury it

April/May 2018

Building an SRW to bury it

In building a 9’ retaining wall Hedge Landscape buried a lot more than the 1st course of block. MORE

Taking the old Wal-Mart design challenge

February/March 2018

Taking the old Wal-Mart design challenge

Hardscaping on top of a badly sloped, cracked concrete slab that you can’t remove or damage. MORE

Dramatic drive solves drainage

February/March 2018

Dramatic drive solves drainage

Permeable drive serves as a 1,700 cubic foot detention zone for stormwater pumped from 250’ away. MORE

See More Contractor Profiles

Sign up for a FREE subscription to gain access to our complete article archive including Contractor Profiles and articles by Charles Vander Kooi. This is necessary even if you are already a subscriber.

SUBSCRIBE