Getting paid for your knowledge

Doing things correctly is a driving principle at TJB-INC. Doing things correctly allows them to offer a 10-year “No Sink or Settle” warranty on paver installations. Doing things correctly also allows them to charge for consultations, $125 minimum. Owner Ted Greiner stopped working in the field years ago. “I work ‘on’ the business instead of ‘in’ the business. I share my 42 years of field knowledge for money. And that is a good way to have a business.” MORE

Hybrid – pavers & poly sand over drainage stone – without fabric

I’m constantly observing and searching out better, quicker and easier ways to install. One of these ways being what I like to call, hybrid pavement. Basically, the hybrid pavement uses permeable paver installation methods and drainage stone for the base and setting bed, and combines them with standard pavers and polymeric sand joints. We don’t have the freeze/thaw expansion issues; we have built-in drainage; we get a nice polymeric sand finish; and there’s minimal efflorescence... MORE

The 5 greatest job risk factors

Each time you bid a job, you are taking on risk. You are gambling on the weather, that the customer is reasonable and will pay, that your guys will show up, etc. Such constant exposure can make contractors believe they are immune to job risks. Most contractors tend to take jobs they should not take by turning a deaf ear to that gut feeling that is warning them not to take the job... MORE

Taking photos - it’s not that hard

If you have any aptitude for it at all, and are willing to put a little effort into it, you can get nice photos without hiring a photographer, without getting crazy into technical details and without breaking the bank on camera equipment. I’ve been taking photos for magazines for 20+ years and I’ve never messed with Photoshop or other programs used to manipulate photos. I’ve used $1,500 cameras, but today I use a $200 camera roughly the size of a smart phone... MORE

New OSHA safety class geared to landscaping

Education often equals success and a happy healthy work environment. As contractors, it’s our responsibility to provide a safe workplace and to educate our employees on safe work site practices. New to our industry this year is an OSHA-approved course designed specifically for landscapers and hardscapers. The 10-hour course covers the general topics outlined in OSHA’s 10-hour Construction Course, so it can be taken in place of the Construction Course... MORE

Contractor Profiles

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

Finding & keeping the best employees

December/January 2018

Finding & keeping the best employees

Constant recruiting, good training, frequent rewarding and taking a personal interest in employees scores 85% retention. MORE

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