Are your designs falling from fashion?
Features

Are your designs falling from fashion?
Contractor Charissa Farley immersed herself in the area's fashion community, and views pavers from that aspect – just as her prime target audience (affluent 55+ women) does. Charissa says they've installed a lot of expensive products from around the world, but in recent years they've created a unique niche by using locally produced concrete pavers more creatively. They negotiated with manufacturers to produce special color blends and textures. So they only look expensive...
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...
Making outdoor room products profitable
Features

Making outdoor room products profitable
When you build customized outdoor room structures, it's easy to find yourself running into the unexpected and working unproductively. And, this makes it very easy to lose money on these projects. An alternative is to purchase factory finished products, kitchens, fireplaces, etc. that you simply deliver to the customer's backyard. You add your mark-up and ensure your profit. Clients now have far more choices, and don’t have to deal with a construction mess...
Switching to 4-day work weeks
Features

Switching to 4-day work weeks
Many contractors feel they need to work a 6- or 7-day work week. Bill Gardocki writes that he's worked those long weeks, then switched to a 5-day week some years ago. Recently he switched to working a 4-day week of 10-hour days. Doing this requires disciplined scheduling. He's found making the switch has improved productivity, attitudes and quality of life for everyone in his company...
Hardscape goes to Fashion Week
Features

Hardscape goes to Fashion Week
I cannot imagine most contractors sponsoring a "Fashion Week" and attending the after-parties, etc. as contractor Charissa Farley does. Charissa makes it her business to mix in her client's world to see things from their point of view to understand what they're looking for. In the past this often led to special-ordering architectural hardscape products from overseas. Then the recession came and even those with money became more frugal in spending it. So she got creative...
  • 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

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


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


See More Contractor Profiles
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