On today’s episode we mashup previous I am a hardscaper interviews talking about equipment. Now some of these answers discuss installation practices or equipment purchases in the future, depending on how I phrased the question to the interviewee, but ultimately this is an equipment discussion episode about what these hardscapers love to have in their business. Sponsors: I want to take a break from today’s episode to thank our sponsor Alliance Gator. They are the makers behind Gator Xtreme Edge, a concrete edge restraint product for hardscape installations. In our business, we have almost exclusively moved to a concrete edge restraint in our installs. Now the only time we use a plastic edge restraint is in a Gator Base installation where it is fastened directly to the Gator Base. Gator Xtreme Edge is fiber-reinforce and polymer modified providing continuous lateral support. This provides more flexibility and better strength than just a regular concrete mixture for an edge restraint. We find it great to use in our open graded base installs or natural stone installs where the product is only 1” thick. It can also be installed in traditional, overlay, and Gator Base applications. You can find out more about this product at alliancegator.com found in the show notes of this episode. Connect with your local rep for installation assistance. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

How to Hardscape

#IAmaHardscaper Mashup: Tools and Equipment

On today’s episode we mashup previous #IAmaHardscaper interviews answering this question: what is a horror story that you have experienced in your business? The reason why I ask this question is to help those starting their businesses or even already rolling along to prepare them for what may happen and help them put safeguards into their own business to perhaps prevent this same thing from happening to them. Sponsors: I want to take a break from today’s episode to thank our sponsor Alliance Designer Products. They are the makers behind Gator Base, a synthetic base option that reduces excavation for patios and walkways. This product is time-proven with millions of square feet installed holding up to freeze-thaw cycles for years with no failures. Let’s walk through some of the benefits of this material. It insulates, reducing freeze-thaw cycles; spreads load over a greater area; is extremely durable and light-weight; saves on labor; shines in tight access situations; allows for proper drainage; you can walk on it once installed and stage pavers closer to the area where they will be laid; and pavers can be slid into place. We use Gator Base as often as we can and whenever applicable. You can find out more about this product at alliancegator.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper Mashup: Horror Stories

On today’s episode we mashup previous #IAmaHardscaper interviews answering this question: do you charge for consultations, why or why not? This is one that I felt was important to understand everyones thought process behind whether they do or do not charge for consultations and to also learn some interesting ways in which some charge but use that money for charitable donations or elsewhere in their business. It is also interesting to hear some of these business owner’s responses and how they may have changed in their businesses since then. Sponsors: I want to take a break from today’s episode to thank our sponsor Alliance Gator. They are the makers behind Gator Base, a synthetic base option that reduces excavation for patios and walkways. This product is time-proven with millions of square feet installed holding up to freeze-thaw cycles for years with no failures. Gator Base features a tongue and groove system, locking the panels together along with a plastic edge restraint that is installed with anchor screws that fasten directly to the Gator Base itself creating a strong system throughout. We use Gator Base as often as we can and whenever applicable. You can find out more about this product at alliancegator.com found in the show notes of this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper Mashup: Do You Charge for Consultations?

Today we mashup interviews with previous guests answering a single question: How do you qualify leads? Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own job site dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: job sites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. Alliance Gator are the manufacturers of a wide variety of hardscape installation materials including polymeric sands and other jointing compounds, cleaners, sealers, binders, concrete and plastic edge restraints, and Gator Base. Their wide range of jointing compounds suit any application. Cleaners and sealers help to keep hardscapes looking pristine. And their Gator Base product helps to reduce the amount of labor involved in preparing the base of a project. They continue to innovate and introduce new products into the market that add more tools in our toolbox including Xtreme Edge, a concrete edge restraint, and Nitro, a permeable jointing compound. You can find out more about these products at alliancegator.com found in the show notes of this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper Mashup: Qualifying Leads

Today we are joined by Frankie of Outdoor Living Life for another episode in the #IAmaHardscaper Series. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. Alliance Gator are the manufacturers of a wide variety of hardscape installation materials including polymeric sands and other jointing compounds, cleaners, sealers, binders, concrete and plastic edge restraints, and Gator Base. Their wide range of jointing compounds suit any application. Cleaners and sealers help to keep hardscapes looking pristine. And their Gator Base product helps to reduce the amount of labor involved in preparing the base of a project. They continue to innovate and introduce new products into the market that add more tools in our toolbox including Xtreme Edge, a concrete edge restraint, and Nitro, a permeable jointing compound. You can find out more about these products at alliancegator.com found in the show notes of this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper: Frankie of Outdoor Living Life

Today we are joined by Paul Jamison, he is the host of the Green Industry Podcast and author of Cut That Grass and Make That Cash, as well as his new book Best Business Practices for Landscapers. We talk about his new book and what he has learned through 500 episodes of hosting the Green Industry Podcast. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. Alliance Gator are the manufacturers of a wide variety of hardscape installation materials including polymeric sands and other jointing compounds, cleaners, sealers, binders, concrete and plastic edge restraints, and Gator Base. Their wide range of jointing compounds suit any application. Cleaners and sealers help to keep hardscapes looking pristine. And their Gator Base product helps to reduce the amount of labor involved in preparing the base of a project. They continue to innovate and introduce new products into the market that add more tools in our toolbox including Xtreme Edge, a concrete edge restraint, and Nitro, a permeable jointing compound. You can find out more about these products at alliancegator.com found in the show notes of this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

Best Business Practices for Landscapers with Author Paul Jamison

Today we are joined by Chris of Three Seasons Landscapes for this episode in the #IAmaHardscaper Series. This is actually an in-person interview that we did where I spent a day in the life and we took some time to sit down to do this podcast in his office, so forgive the audio quality. There is some reverberation, but it is most definitely a quality discussion on business with Chris. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper: Chris of Three Seasons Landscapes

Today we are joined by Brian Fullerton of Brian’s Lawn Maintenance on his YouTube and socials and the host of The Fullerton Unfiltered Podcast. We talk today about branding and using YouTube and social media in your business and beyond. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

Branding and YouTube with Brian Fullerton

On today's episode, we talk about two authors we previously had on the podcast and compare their thoughts on knowing your numbers in your business including market versus cost-based estimating, as well as reevaluating our budget for the end of the year. Both of these books are on our list of recommended books found at howtohardscape.com/books. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

Reevaluating the Budget

Today we are joined by Michael C. Stone. He is author of Profit and Markup as well as Profitable Sales, both books for contractors to help them price and sell jobs to become more profitable. Both of these books are on our list of recommended books found at howtohardscape.com/books. Be sure to check them out and enjoy this conversation with Michael C. Stone about profit, markup, and sales. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

Profit & Markup with Michael C. Stone

On today's live stream of the #IAmaHardscaper Round Table Rally, we have four returning guests from the How to Hardscape Podcast to discuss contracts. Mike Pennington of Paver King - @paver_king Matt of Hardscape Ottawa - @hardscapeottawa Chad of Natural Design Landscapes - @naturaldesignlandscapes Tony Zambito of Zamco Group - @zamcogroup Mike Pletz of How to Hardscape - @howtohardscape and @iamahardscaper --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper Round Table Rally: Season Start

On today's live stream of the #IAmaHardscaper Round Table Rally, we have five returning guests from the How to Hardscape Podcast to discuss contracts. Craig Sheller of Sheller Outdoor Living - @shelleroutdoorliving Mike Pennington of Paver King - @paver_king Caleb Auman of Auman Landscape - @aumanlandscapellc Matt of Hardscape Ottawa - @hardscapeottawa Chad of Natural Design Landscapes - @naturaldesignlandscapes Mike Pletz of How to Hardscape - @howtohardscape and @iamahardscaper --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper Round Table Rally: Contracts

On today's live stream of the #IAmaHardscaper Round Table Rally, we have seven returning guests from the How to Hardscape Podcast to discuss the first consultation with a customer.  Jeremy Swihart of J Squared Outdoor - @jsquaredoutdoor Tony Zambito of Zamco Group - @zamcogroup Craig Sheller of Sheller Outdoor Living - @shelleroutdoorliving Matt Hiner of Hiner Outdoor Living - @hineroutdoorliving and @the_yardist Dan Wasson of Wasson Nursery - @wassonnursery and @the.dan.wasson Mike Pennington of Paver King - @paver_king Caleb Auman of Auman Landscape - @aumanlandscapellc Mike Pletz of How to Hardscape - @howtohardscape and @iamahardscaper --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

#IAmaHardscaper Round Table Rally: The First Consultation

Today we are joined by Phillip Dedominicis, he is the managing director at Menke & Associates who focus on Employee Stock Ownership Plans that give workers ownership interest in a company. We talk about the benefits of ESOPs, what kind of companies they are suited for, and why you may consider this in the future of your company. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

Employee Stock Ownership Plans with Menke & Associates

Today we are joined by Greg Crabtree. He is a speaker, entrepreneur, financial expert, and author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits and Simple Numbers 2.0. We talk today about financials for your business including owner salary, the salary cap concept from his book, and debt. Sponsors: iQ Power Tools began by building tools to solve its own jobsite dust problems. Fast-forward to today, the company continues to combine intensive research and industry knowledge, with a completely updated approach. The result? Innovative tools that eliminate dust and water while creating a more efficient workforce. iQ Power Tools envisions a future where their innovation helps create a 100% dust-free environment: jobsites are safer, work practices are healthier... and, the construction industry becomes even more sustainable. Their national War On Dust Tour begins this summer. Visit www.iQPowerTools.com to see when they’ll be in your neighborhood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtohardscape/message

Simple Numbers with Greg Crabtree

A podcast dedicated to hardscapers starting and growing their business. We interview leading experts to talk installation techniques, tools, products, marketing, and business.

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How to Hardscape

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