To Rick Baird, it just makes sense for contractors to always try to maximize their on-site returns. “I think a lot of contractors get wrapped up in day-to-day business, and they end up leaving opportunities on the table, which equates to leaving money on the table,” says Baird, national sales manager at Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting. “When contractors are on... read more
New regulations from the local sewer district on adding bioretention areas to make up for lost green space inspired Bluegrass Landscape & Snow Management, based in Bridgeton, Mo., to make the leap into the field. It’s been a big investment of both time and money to get into bioretention—but it’s been paying off. Chris Darnell, business development and marketing manager... read more
Aquatic maintenance services are a must for some of Terracare’s commercial clients. For Terracare Associates, landscape contractors based in Littleton, Colo., one way to distinguish its business is to expand the services it offers to its primarily commercial clients. One service it offers is aquatic maintenance. Terracare, which had $25.5 million in annual revenue in 2012, uses several methods to... read more
Carpentry projects have led one New Jersey company to launch a new division. Doing the occasional pergola or deck project for some of his landscape clients led Simon Darlington, owner of Darlington Designs in Glassboro, N.J., to launch an entire carpentry division for his landscape company. Though he knows it’s a bit of an unusual service for a landscape company... read more
When a client asked Four Seasons Landscaping & Nursery for an artificial turf putting green, it led to a new division for the Damascus, Md.-based company. The company’s always focused on design/build (with no maintenance division). Adding an artificial turf service fit well with that niche. Today, the company installs artificial putting greens but also artificial grass for a variety... read more
On Chicago’s North Shore, creeping bentgrass is a common infestation that’s difficult to control. Because creeping bentgrass is thick, matty and chokes out other grasses, it’s a nuisance that many customers feel spoils an otherwise beautiful lawn. It’s also prone to disease. For customers with bentgrass- or nimblewill-infested lawns, Chalet in Chicago’s northern suburbs is turning the problem into an... read more
