Hardscape Growth

With Tussey Landscaping’s steady, healthy growth, it’s easy to see why they’ve retained such loyal employees and have now exceeded $4 million annually. They   describe their success using a metaphorical model of a tree: the roots are the company & organizational structure; the trunk is the direction of the company; the branches are the vision; and the water is the transparency/team environment/leadership.  Steve Martin, Matt Martin, & Wes Zimmerman of Tussey Landscaping, join the show to discuss how steady organic growth has led to their success.  What we talked about:  How Tussey Landscaping got its start Matt, Steve, & Wes’ roles in the company  Delegation of responsibility & creating new roles  The metaphorical tree of success  Company event perspectives from owner & employee  Budget strategies w/ growth  The value of social media in regards to retention  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:  https://hardscaper.com    https://www.tusseylandscaping.com/  Tussey Landscaping on Instagram  To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to the Hardscape Growth Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

How can a 3-man team pull off subbing for a company with 135 employees? By working smarter, not harder. And you do that by investing in the right   equipment. Our latest guest is Zak Key, a hardscape installer for his dad’s company, Key Landscape & Irrigation in Keene, NH. What makes Key Landscape so special is their focus and dedication to mechanically-installed permeable pavements. In 2020, their 3-person crew installed over 65,000 square feet of residential and commercial permeable pavements. Some projects saw them lay over 35 pallets per day!  In this episode, we break down what equipment Zak’s crew uses and how to get the most out of it. The labor challenge is VERY REAL and smart contractors continuously evaluate ways to improve efficiency and productivity. This can be achieved by changing installation methods, using different materials and favoring the use of specialized equipment. Key Landscape does all of the above.  We discuss:  How Zak’s 3-man operation manages to perform the work of a much larger organization (without being tired all the time!)  How to determine when and what equipment to invest in  How courses and certifications have helped Zak along the way.  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:  Zak’s Instagram which has lots of great videos of this equipment in action Pave Tool Innovator’s Vacu-Mobile Allrounder (the main machine we talk about in the episode)  How geogrid works in pavement to reduce base thickness  Learn about the 3 different base types for paver installation  Find this interview and many more by subscribing to Hardscape Growth on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, or on our website.  Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Hardscape Growth in your favorite podcast player.

You need to stop setting pricing based on your competitors. Instead, you need to set costs based on overhead. Because if you’re not job costing and constantly   improving your budgeting and estimates… It’s business suicide. That’s one thing our latest guest, Wes Zimmerman (@synkedup on Instagram) Co-Creator of the SynkedUP app and Marketing Director at Tussey Landscaping, has learned over the years and he wants to help put a stop to it — even going so far as to create an app to tackle the problem. He joins the show to share the secrets of budgeting, estimating and job costing the right way.  What we talked about:  The importance of proper budgeting, estimating and job costing    How to establish a feedback loop of continuous improvement and accuracy in your bids  The new course and free budgeting and pricing template at Hardscaper.com  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:  The new Budgeting, Estimating and Job Costing Course  The SynkedUP app  Tussey Landscaping YouTube Channel.  It’s awesome. Find this interview and many more by subscribing to Hardscape Growth on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, or on our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Hardscape Growth in your favorite podcast player.

Strong leadership within a company can never be overstated. Not only does it help shape performance and results, a leader influences one of the most important   aspects of a company: culture. Without a thriving culture, the company won’t retain all-star employees and they won’t be able to take the company to the next level.  Alex Cadieux, from Techo-Bloc, discusses leadership and culture while referencing two standout episodes with Jordan Daneker, from Evolve Design Build, and Matt Hiner, from Hiner Outdoors.  What was talked about:    Reflection on Jordan Daneker’s Excerpt and Building the Right Team  Reflection on Matt Hiner’s Excerpt and The 12 Core Values of Company Success  Check out the resources below for more information:  Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action By Simon Sinek  The Amazon Management System: The Ultimate Digital Business Engine That Creates Extraordinary Value for Both Customers and Shareholders By Ram Charan and Julia Yang  To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Hardscape Growth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.  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_

The outdoor living world has seen an incredibly fortunate surge in demand that has been great for all hardscape professionals. In fact, the new American status symbol is a backyard that’s basically a fancy living room! This episode of Hardscape Growth is all about helping you take that next step from a design build perspective to bring as much value as possible to your clients using Techo-Bloc’s Contractor Support Manual.  The Contractor Support Manual includes over 130 pages of plans, step-by-step instructions, and materials lists for a wide variety of fire pits, water features, kitchen islands, tables and benches. If you’re looking to build these features into your 3D designs using popular tools, like Sketchup, the Designer’s Toolbox has all the CAD files, hatch patterns, texture files, and even pre-built 3D models at your fingertips.  Resources Mentioned on the Show:  The Contractor Support Manual  “The new American status symbol: A backyard that’s basically a fancy living room”  Warming Trends Crossfire Burner Technology  Techo-Bloc Fire Pits  Example of Grill Island Construction  Learn more about how to access the Contractor Support Manual, what builds our outdoor living guides cover, and how the manual helps you build features as efficiently and profitably as possible by tuning in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In the hardscaping world, you have to be a student of the game so you're best positioned to make the right decisions. The businesses that grow and continue to succeed year after year are the ones that are open to change and building relationships with those who can help them succeed.  On this episode of Hardscape Growth, I talk with Kyle Needham, owner of Needham Outdoor Solutions, about lessons he’s learned from being in the industry for 20+ years.  We also talked about:  Hardscaping as a creative outlet.  How designs and plans help the client, the contractor, and the crew.  How to manage hardscaping and maintenance.  How relationships with reps and local dealers make your business better.  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Find Kyle on Instagram and Facebook. Looking for  Design Files and Hatch Patterns? Check out the Designer’s Toolbox

If you’ve been in the hardscaping game for a while, you’re probably familiar with the 5S lean management system: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain. It can get a little tedious, but in many cases it’s critical to running an efficient business.  On this episode of Hardscape Growth, I talk with Stephane Poirier, Owner of Peartree Property Services, about the role the 5S system plays in his development of best practices and standard operating procedures.  We also talked about:  The use of mobile apps to improve communication in the field.  Making sales calls and presentations more impactful and efficient.  The importance of innovation.  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Check out our video on tool trailer optimization. Learn more about the Checklist App for Mobile Inspections and Field Reporting.

Ten years ago, hardscaping was a tough industry to get into. But now anyone who has a knowledge of the trade and a passion for the work can perform in the   industry.  On this episode of Hardscape Growth, I talk with Adam Santo, Owner of Lilley LLC, about coexisting with your competition, differentiating through personalized service, and doing what you love.  We also talked about:  What led him to start his business at 23  How design is a differentiator for his business  Tackling fear and knowing your worth  How to determine pricing    His favorite hardscaping tools Mentioned on the show:  Adam’s Instagram  Lilley LLC Website  Bartell Global  Techo-Bloc Sample Booklet Kit  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In a world where clients finance everything from their homes to their cars, even cell phones, payment options are no longer "nice to have;” they're expected.  On this episode of Hardscape Growth, I talk with Andrew Clark, Relationship Manager at EnerBank USA, about how successful contractors leverage financing programs to improve the efficiency and impact of their marketing and sales efforts.  We also talked about: The 6 steps to financing    How to use financing to prequalify customers  How easy it is to use Pave Now, Pay Later  How to build fees into your pricing structure  EnerBank USA is Techo-Bloc’s American lending partner for the Pave Now, Pay Later financing program. Learn more about how your company can take advantage of this fantastic program by visiting pavenowpaylater.com  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In a world where clients finance everything from their homes to their cars, even cell phones, payment options are no longer "nice to have;” they're expected.  On this episode of Hardscape Growth, I talk with Joey Brandone, Sales Manager Eastern Canada at Financeit, about how successful contractors leverage financing programs to improve the efficiency and impact of their marketing and sales efforts.  We also talked about:  The biggest misconception about financing.  How financing is an asset to your business.  The right time to talk financing with your client.  Why clients who have the means to pay upfront still choose financing.  Financeit is Techo-Bloc's Canadian lending partner for the Pave Now, Pay Later financing program. Learn more about how your company can take advantage of this fantastic program by visiting pavenowpaylater.com  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.