Features

Productivity & profitability in a people business
Bob Tunzi likes where his business is. He has 10 field employees, a full-time office manager and himself. So, no middle management. While he no longer works in the field, Bob does all the selling and project managing, and nearly all of the design work. “It keeps me busy. But that’s okay because that way you always have your hand on the pulse of what’s going on with your company….It’s all about profitability.”… MORE
Features

Residential permeable systems get better & better
PICP opens up a huge residential market. It’s being driven by customer’s desires to be eco-conscious as well as legislation. Besides our local projects, I receive requests to consult on PICP projects out of state. That, my friend, means that those states are under-served with contractors who are aware of the benefits of PICP and know how to market them. This is your opportunity!... MORE
Features

Budgeting tips to help you make money
At the December 2023 MAHTS (Mid Atlantic Hardscape Trade Show) in Atlantic City I had some great conversations with other contractors on the best tips for budget building for the next season. I’d like to share them with you here.... MORE
Features

911! Call the fire department now!!!
Imagine this: It’s a beautiful fall evening and you are preparing some big juicy Tomahawk steaks and smoking a Macanudo Vintage Cabinet 1988 No. 1. Next thing you know, a cigar ash has dropped on a pile of leaves and suddenly your trellis and patio furniture are on fire, rapidly making its way to your home. Call the fire department! Several hours go by before the fire department shows up.... MORE
Features

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
  • 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

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


Still learning after 30+ years
February/March 2023

Still learning after 30+ years

After 3 decades in business, Burnell Weaver is transitioning out of day-to-day operations, and into full-time managing his company. MORE


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Digital Edition
April/May 2024