What challenges do you expect the busy season to bring, and how can landscape pros contend with them?

Landscape Professionals

Troy Clogg
Troy Clogg Landscape Associates
Wixom, Mich.

“‘Busy’ is an interesting word. Are you good busy or just busy to be busy? Focus your time and your ‘busy’ in that which reaps you the greatest rewards.”

Paul Fraynd
Sun Valley Landscaping
Omaha, Neb.

“We are planning for continued challenges in the labor market and for price pressure from higher wages and our ability to pass on cost to our clients.”

Jerry McKay
McKay Landscape Lighting
Omaha, Neb.

“Hiring people. Start the process early!”

Bryan Stolz
Winterberry Landscape & Garden Center
Southington, Conn.

“When budgeting for equipment purchases, assign extra value to assets that replace labor. If, by purchasing a new attachment or piece of equipment, you can reduce crew size from four to three, that’s a bigger win now than it was in the past.”

Greg Winchel
Winchel Irrigation
Grandville, Mich.

“With materials costs changing, some contractors bid on projects with outdated pricing. Material quotes from vendors often are only good for 14 days. We tend to get busy with the work and overlook the price increase. Then, at the end of the year, contractors wonder why they worked so hard
but didn’t makethe profit margin they need.”

 Industry Consultants

Marty Grunder
The Grow Group
Dayton, Ohio

“1. Make sure your place is a great place to work, knowing that cookouts, snacks and fancy trips don’t engage people. Meaningful work and rewards, both emotional and financial, do. 2. After working hard to engage your team, look at your operations. Where are the inefficiencies?”

Phil Harwood
Grow the Bench
Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Strong demand will bring opportunities for differentiation and price increases.”