Hardscape Growth

On this episode of Hardscaper Growth, Alex sits down with Micah Miller from Easton Outdoors to talk about a game-changing approach to sales and marketing in the hardscaping industry. Micah shares how he’s structured his business to attract the right clients—those who are ready to buy—by leveraging pricing transparency, automation, and content-driven marketing.Why most contractors don’t want to talk to clients (and how to make sales easier).The 5-step process to get clients to pre-qualify themselves before they even call.How pricing transparency, calculators, and automated tools turn leads into paying customers.Why your website (not paid ads) is the most important investment for long-term success.How Google’s algorithm shift means reviews & local SEO matter more than ever.We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM onInstagram @hardscaperSubscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!Follow us on:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to ourOn-Demand Section to check it out for free!They dive into:If you’re tired of wasting time on bad leads and want to streamline your sales process while closing bigger deals, this episode is a must-listen!Listen on your favorite appApple PodcastsSpotify 

Are you leaving money on the table? In this episode of Hardscape Growth, Alex teams up with Wes from Synked Up to identify the primary factors that can erode your business's profits. They discuss strategies to transform a narrow 3% margin into a healthier 15–20%. Key topics covered in this episode include: The Profit Triangle: Budgeting, job costing, and success habits. How skipping budgeting and job costing drains profits. Streamlining operations to reduce chaos. Small changes that deliver big financial gains. Investing smartly for long-term growth. Additionally, listeners are invited to book a free demo with Synked Up and to register for the upcoming Hardscaper Showcase event hosted by Wes. This episode provides actionable insights aimed at helping contractors safeguard and increase their profit margins, ensuring long-term business growth and success. We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_ Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Follow us on:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/ Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!

In this episode of Hardscape Growth, Alex teams up with Wes from SynkedUp to uncover why speed and confidence are the ultimate tools for closing more sales in the hardscaping industry. They share actionable strategies and real-life stories to help contractors stop competing on price and start winning jobs with smarter processes. Why fast quotes win jobs: Learn how 20–30% of homeowners choose the first quote they receive and how being the fastest to respond sets the standard for competitors. DJ Faust’s success story: How one contractor cut quote times by 90% and started winning projects—even with higher prices. Building trust through clear communication: Tips on presenting simple, detailed, and professional quotes that inspire confidence and reduce shopping around. Negotiating scope, not price: Master the art of guiding clients to adjust their vision without sacrificing your profit margins. Know your numbers: Confidence comes from understanding labor rates, overhead, and break-even points, so you never hesitate to hit "send" on that quote. This episode is packed with insights to help contractors streamline their quoting process, improve customer trust, and close more deals without lowering their prices. Don’t miss it! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_ Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Follow us on:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/ Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!

In this episode of Hardscape Growth, Alex sits down with Simon from Weber MT to explore why soil compaction is the cornerstone of every successful hardscape project. They dive into the science behind compaction, the innovative tools Weber has developed to simplify the process, and actionable tips for contractors to ensure durable, long-lasting results. Key topics covered in this episode include: The importance of compaction for structural integrity. Why moisture content is critical and how to test it. Recognizing when your soil is compacted enough to move on. Choosing the right compaction equipment for your project. The time-saving benefits of Weber’s compaction meter. This episode is packed with practical insights to help contractors avoid costly mistakes, improve project efficiency, and deliver rock-solid results that stand the test of time. Don’t miss it! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_ Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Follow us on:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/ Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to our On-Demand Section to check it out for free!

In this conversation, Alex and Mark discuss Mark's journey in building his interior residential renovation business and the importance of communication in their work. Mark specializes in kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovations, and he emphasizes the need for proactive communication with clients and subcontractors. He plans to hire a senior project manager to handle communication and focus on sales and marketing. Mark also mentions the importance of high-quality finishes and tradespeople, as well as the challenges of managing materials and estimating quantities accurately. The conversation covers the importance of following a consistent process in all projects, the use of templates for contracts and costing, the need for regular reviews and updates of templates, the trend of creating usable space in both interior and outdoor renovations, and the balance between personal health and business success. The main takeaway is the importance of building a strong team and delegating tasks to achieve business growth. Check out the Hardscaper's Blueprint to Scaling with Online Marketing course referenced in this episode here. We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_ Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Follow us on:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/ Did you miss this year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!

In this week's episode of the Hardscape Growth Podcast, we have Charlie Kerrigan of V.I.L. Landscaping. He started when he was in grade 4! Charlie shares his journey on being a young entrepreneur and the challenges he came to face and how he was able to overcome these challenges through mentorship and literally saying "no". He talks about some important aspect in running a business such as knowing your numbers, building a brand, building off of that brand and always learning through mentorship or through his podcast The Hard Lessons. Here are some key takeaways: Focus on what you do best Build a dream team Always keep learning Did you miss this year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Rachel and Matt who are part of the team, at Springhetti Luxury Outdoor Spaces were recently honoured with the Peak Performance Award for their achievement in generating the most revenue per man hour. They credit their success to leveraging their strengths and streamlining their procedures. A key strategic move they made was to bring pool construction services in house resulting in a boost in revenue. Their focus has shifted towards undertaking larger scale projects particularly after pool installations often lead to landscaping opportunities. Matt Hoss talks on enhancing efficiency in landscaping businesses. The importance of data analysis for making informed decisions, on efficiency was underscored during this conversation. Matt also shared his enthusiasm for optimizing tool organization within trailers to maximize productivity. The conversation concluded with an exploration of evaluating workforce requirements and optimizing team sizes based on tasks. The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Steve Wheatcroft, founder and former CEO of ULS, shares his journey of building a successful landscape maintenance business. He discusses the six stages of leadership he experienced and the lessons he learned along the way. Overcoming self doubt and believing in yourself Wear a helmet, take a bullet Delegation builds the nation Blow sh*t up - John Wick part 1 Kiss = "Keep It Simple, Stup*d" Keep learning and learn to leave Listen to this week's pod to learn more about these stages of leadership. Try and figure out what stage you are in running your own business and see how you can move on to the next stage! The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Click here to download the Get in the Game - 90 Day Quickstart E-Book! Ryan Markewich shares his experience with open book management and how it builds a team of owners. He explains how he got into the business and the turning point when he discovered The Great Game of Business. Ryan discusses the concept of the company as the product and the importance of transparency and involvement in decision-making. He also talks about the implementation of mini games and the impact of open book management on employee engagement and development. Takeaways Open book management builds a team of owners by involving employees in decision-making and sharing financial information. Setting a clear vision and involving employees in goal-setting is essential for the success of open book management. Metrics and key performance indicators are essential for measuring progress and driving accountability. Links https://rmark.ca/ The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

In this week's episode, we have Sahra Linnemann from The Green Executive discusses the concept of profit first and how it can help contractors in the green industry manage their cash flow and increase profitability. The profit first approach involves taking profit out of income first and then operating with what's remaining. Sahra explains the mechanics of profit first, including setting up different accounts for profit, owner's pay, taxes, and operations. Takeaways The profit first approach involves taking profit out of income first and then operating with what's remaining. Proper bookkeeping and tracking expenses are crucial for making informed business decisions. Regularly review profit and loss reports to assess the financial health of the business and make necessary adjustments. The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free! We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_