Wall job grows from 1,100 to 11,000 face feet (not a typo)

Contractor Jason Myers went to a site visit for a project specced at 1,100 face feet. “I explained that wasn't realistic for all of the things that they wanted to do on that hill. And then as we went along, the client liked the way the SRWs looked compared to the cast-in-place walls planned for other parts of the project. They're more economical than cast-in-place too, so our walls were substituted and the job grew substantially.”… MORE

Offering the full package gets bigger jobs

For most of their 1st 10 years in business CG Hardscapes didn’t stray much beyond their core hardscape services, pavers, walls, fire features and outdoor kitchens. Then about 4 years ago they took a big step into building structures like decks, pavilions and even pool houses that complement their hardscape work. This opened up a whole new market of huge projects.… MORE

If you could go back to day 1 as a contractor

Consultant Weston Zimmerman recently did a podcast tour where he asked seasoned successful contractors if they could go back to day 1 as a contractor and do one thing differently, what would that be? There were 2 main themes in their answers: 1) I’d focus on the numbers right away and fix my pricing. 2) I’d focus less on “doing the work” and focus more on building systems and processes…. MORE

Experiential training – Is it worth it?

Experiential training combines hands-on training, classroom presentations, and networking on a completely different level. These events are about work, but they are also about having fun! Your memories and lessons will last the rest of your career. I’ve been involved in several experiential training events that last several days each. These events are expensive, but I’ve never met an attendee who complained about the cost. Without exception, everyone said it was well worth it!… MORE

20 years of Hardscape Magazine

August 2023 marks 20 years since Charles Vander Kooi hired me to launch Hardscape Magazine. Chuck saw that the hardscape market was growing fast and was being underserved by the media. It didn’t matter that Chuck had never been involved in the publishing business. He had an amazing grasp of the numbers straight from the gut, what costs would be to run a magazine and what income could be expected.... MORE

Contractor Profiles

Productivity & profitability in a people business

August/September 2023

Productivity & profitability in a people business

Bob Tunzi likes where his business is. 10 field employees, an office manager and no middle management. MORE

Keeping cool & organized under pressure

August/September 2023

At Prime Lawn nearly everyone knows how to do everything

Brooding over problems or beating yourself up doesn’t solve issues, it just keeps your mind too busy to focus on solutions. MORE

1/2 the management team leaves the company

June/July 2023

1/2 the management team leaves the company

Mitch Andrea’s young 1-crew company still builds big projects as he works out how to fill in for the loss of his brother. MORE

All walls all the time

April/May 2023

All walls all the time

Drew Nicoliello carved out a profitable niche as a 1-crew company specializing in engineered residential retaining walls. MORE

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August/September 2024

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