Is Running Your Own Business Lawn over Dew? How to Start a Landscaping Business

Whether you love being outdoors or you love the joy of constructing a project with your hands, you’ll find that there is something about landscaping that you can’t resist. Maybe you dream of creating breathtaking transformations from outdoor environments.  Perhaps there is a landscaping business in your future.  If this is your case, it will help to do a little pre-planning and research. The following items may give you a head start:  

• Reflect on your goals and develop a mission statement.  What would you like to accomplish with your new lawn maintenance business? Will you be targeting residences or commercial landscaping?   
• Identify Your Target Market.  Identify your customers.  Residences or commercial grounds?  Many marketers choose to develop something called a buyer persona – a short paragraph or two – that provides a snapshot of what your ideal buyer looks like.
• Build a Team/Staffing.  At some point you’ll have to put together a staff to run your business. This might mean a part-time office worker to manage, schedule, and bill.  You’ll also need landscapers/laborers. You will have to not only decide on the person's ability but will also have to run a background check on each employee.  

• Identify what equipment you’ll need.  Think through the most important equipment you will need.  Target equipment that is going to help you get things done faster, professionally and that requires minimal maintenance. Talk to your peers and dealers. Consider the type of guarantee/warranty that is included in the equipment.  

Develop the following skills:  

• Estimating.   Whether moving a lawn or building an elaborate gazebo, people will need to know the cost of the job upfront. Develop good estimating skills from the beginning. There are software packages to take out some of the guesswork but remember your goal is to determine your costs then add in a profit.  

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  Set prices.  Most landscaping professionals recommend coming up with an hourly rate, both for yourself and your employees.  To determine your rate, compare your prices to those of your competition. Have friends contact companies in your target market area that offer similar services.  

• Schedule jobs.  When your business just starts out, it will be easy to determine where you need to be on any given day.  Eventually, though, the phone starts ringing and you will be trying to find a way to coordinate jobs. Consider software packages designed for landscapers to help you track your business.

Located in South Elgin, Illinois, LaFarge Fox River Decorative Stone is your one-stop-shop for masonry, landscaping, concrete pavers, fire pits, retaining walls, ponds, and more! Visit our showroom today or call us: (847) 888-6133.

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Sources:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/279066 http://success.hindsitesoftware.com/field-service-software-blog/bid/216368/7-tips-for-starting-and-growing-your-lawn-maintenance-business

Why Landscaping Retaining Walls Benefit Your Yard

Just as there are a number of different ingredients that go into making the perfect cake, so too are there many different components to composing the perfectly landscaped yard.  The grass must be always green, luscious, and full of life; flowers must be blooming and perfectly placed; and plenty of gorgeous trees have to be scattered throughout your outdoor space.

While all of these aspects add up to create an ideal yard there is one more key ingredient many tend to ignore when it comes to crafting their landscaping vision; retaining walls. Retaining walls in your yard can be simultaneously practical and beautiful, both enhancing your space ascetically while adding to its functionality.

Here are a few of the many benefits landscaping retaining walls offer in your yard:

They are Low Maintenance

While landscaping your yard is a wonderful undertaking with big rewards, that doesn’t mean it can’t be stressful and time consuming to get to t

he finished product. That’s what makes retaining walls so wonderful. Once they are installed in your lawn (assuming they are installed by a qualified professional and built from quality materials), you don’t need to do much to them to maintain their functionality and appearance.

They are Good for your Wallet

Choosing to install a retaining wall will guarantee a large return on investment in the future, especially if you are thinking of selling your home down the line. A retaining wall changes the entire look of your yard and brings versatility to the design that other design elements simply can’t. Future buyers will see a retaining wall and be presented with endless possibilities on how they can personally use it. Long story short: a little more money now will make a big difference in your wallet for the future.

They are Good for the Environment

A retaining wall is an easy way to introduce eco-friendly materials into your space. It is more efficient and practical than a standard concrete wall, and water can naturally flow from its surfaces.

As any chef will tell you, if one ingredient is missing from their famous recipe, the whole dish is impacted. The same is true for any yard; many components are required to have a perfectly landscaped space, and if even one tiny detail is sacrificed, the quality of the entire space suffers.

Let your lawn stand out from the rest; contact the experts at Lafarge Fox River Stone,  we know quality and beauty of stone last a lifetime. Call us at 847-888-6133 or visit us in person at 1300 S. Route Business 31 in beautiful South Elgin to discuss your upcoming retaining wall installation.

Tips For Building & Maintaining Retaining Walls

In our industry, completing projects that will last is far more important than having a blueprint based solely on design. Retaining walls serve a purpose that can really benefit the space when it comes to keeping everything where it needs to be, and it is because of this that it’s crucial for a retaining wall to be built the right way. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind as you build and maintain your retaining wall.

Keep Your Wall Short & Stout.

As you build your retaining wall, the laws of physics come into play and unfortunately cannot be ignored. When designing your wall, it’s in best practices to keep your wall short, within the 3-4 foot height range. As your wall gets taller, your wall also becomes less sturdy. The retaining wall’s top priority is to keep soil back and in place, which can be compromised if the wall is not built properly. If you are looking to build a retaining wall higher than 5 feet, a building permit and more strategic, mathematical planning is required.

Plan Accordingly With Your Greenery.

Choosing the type of greenery, whether it be shrubs, plants, or trees, that you will have near your retaining wall is a very important choice to make. We have found that shrubs that have a shallow root system that are low-growing and spreading tend to work best by retaining walls. Roots are the number one enemy of retaining walls, so making sure that wide-spreading roots stay far away from your wall should always be a top priority when making plans to build.

Invest In The Proper Supplies To Make Your Wall Last.

No one wants to spend time, money, and effort into a project that will fall apart in few years time. One aspect of a retaining wall that will help keep it sturdy is creating a proper drainage system which allows the soil to stay at a weight that the wall can manage. Another aspect of building a retaining wall is making sure you’re investing in a quality of stone that looks good, gets the job done, and will continue to get the job done for years to come.

When it comes to retaining walls, trust a company like Lafarge Fox River Stone to provide you with the supplies you need to make your walls last. For a full list of resources we supply, you can visit our website or give us a call today at (847)-888-6133.

Pre-Season Prep for Landscape Contractors/Businesses

It’s that time of year again! Ah yes, springtime- right before the busy season for landscape contractors and businesses begins. April marks the months where business really picks up and companies have to be ready to get out and get the job done. To make sure you are ready for the grind and demands, check out these pre-season prep tips!

Make Sure Your Team Is Trained Efficiently & Ready For Work

It’s always better to be safe than sorry in most situations, and your team of employees is no exception. Whether you’re able to keep your best workers year round or hire seasonally, it is in best practices to make sure your team has the proper training well before the busy season starts. If you wait till you’re busy to hire more workers, the possibility of hiring hastily increases the chances of hiring someone who isn’t a good fit with your company. Not only does a well-trained team increase your efficiency on the job, but it also improves the safety aspect of the job.

Make Sure Your Equipment Is Upgraded & Ready To Be Used

In your off season is when you should be keeping up on the maintenance of all your equipment. One way to keep track of everything is to look at the service history of your machines and see what kind of work has to be done. Whether it’s a major overhaul or routine preventative maintenance, these kinds of problems can cause huge issues during your busy season. You need reliable equipment for your field of work, and it should be ready to go by the time you are.

Make Sure To Re-Evaluate The Work Process

During the pre-season prep is the perfect time to sit down, evaluate your business, and come up with new ways to improve. What processes work well for your company? What could save time and money? It’s important to always ask for feedback from your employees to get a diverse perspective on your business. Coming up with goals for the next year can also help you work smarter, not harder, which will help you save time, money, and create a positive work environment.

When business picks up, it’s important to be on your A game and have everything ready to give your customers the best service possible. Your pre-season prep doesn’t have to be a stressful experience- with the right planning and utilizing resources, you can feel confident going into your busy season. At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we partner with landscape contractors and businesses to give great results and even better products. For more information about our company and services, visit our website or call us at (847)-888-6133.

Stay Warm with a New Fireplace!

When temperatures drop, cozying up in front of a fireplace with your favorite book or a cup of hot cocoa can be the best way to beat the winter blues. For some, installing a new fireplace can provide a space for comfort and spending time with family - so what needs to be considered before the process begins?

Consider Your Preferences:

1. Heat: How important is it that your fireplace contributes to the heating of your home?
2. Ambiance & Aesthetic: Do you have a particular “look” or “feel” in mind?
3. Emissions: Each fireplace type carries its own standard emissions output and some be further adapted. Visit the “Burn Wise” segment of the EPA website for more details on different models.

Explore Your Options:

Indoor fireplace come in a variety of makes, models, and styles. They can also be further customized by your choice of stone. Visit our website to see the wide variety of fireplace components available  In addition to decorative stone, flue liners, heat stop mortar, and venting options are offered.

Wood-Burning:  There’s a certain allure to crackling wood and wood-burning fireplaces offer plenty of benefits. Firewood can be purchased locally and inexpensively. It’s carbon neutral, as carbon dioxide was taken in by the tree in growth. It’s more eco-friendly than emissions produced by fossil fuels.

Gas Logs:  Gas logs can be installed into fireplaces as part of a new installment or retrofitted into a wood-burning fireplace. Gas logs can be fueled by natural gas or liquid petroleum.  Installing a vent operates with a chimney flue and better simulates a wood-burning fire, but gas fireplaces without vents will provide more heat.

Stand-Alone Stoves: While lacking the traditional fireplace look, these self-contained units pack a more powerful heating punch.  There are a number of models available.  Gas stoves burn the same fuel as gas fireplaces.  Stoves running on compact pellets made from various organic materials (wood chips, sawdust, etc.).  Stand-alone stoves are also available in wood-burning models.  Stand-alone stoves still require venting and could incorporate an aesthetic stone base.

Built-in thermostats: These self-modulated fireplaces only turn on if the temperature drops to a certain level in your home, switching off automatically once the temperature reaches the desired level.

Outdoor Fireplace: Enjoy the ambiance of a crackling fire throughout the year. These stone hearths can be adapted to the decor and aesthetic of your deck, patio, or landscaping, 

creating an outdoor lounge and entertainment space.

Contact the experts at LaFarge Fox River Stone to help pick the fireplace that’s right for you!

Fall Landscape Survival Tips: Beyond the Plants and Trees

The beauty and cooler weather of fall has many landscape owners thinking about how to tidy up their plants and preserve them over the winter. But the hardscape elements in the landscape also need preparation for the changing seasons in order to prevent damage, and to keep them looking their best. Although hardscaping seems permanent because it is fixed in the landscape, it can deteriorate over time without proper maintenance. Likewise, irrigation systems and the soil in your landscape need some basic maintenance, as well! A few simple tips show that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Inspect Hardscaping

Fall is a good time to inspect the stone features in your landscape. Pay special attention to any cracks in bricks, walls, and stone pathways. The cold temperatures of winter will only exacerbate these cracks and make them more difficult to repair next year. If you live in a region that receives snowfall, water freezing and thawing in these openings will damage and weaken the stone even more. Sealing small cracks will go a long way towards avoiding having to replace hardscaped elements.

Check the dirt and gravel around the hardscaping. If there are depressions where it has washed or worn away around walkways, walls, and other stone features, fill them before winter sets in, as cool temperatures, spring rains, and thaws can contribute to further erosion.

Soil

Fall is a good time to test the acidity and alkaline levels of the soil in your landscape, especially if you didn’t get around to it during the busier spring planting and fertilizing months. Remember to stop fertilizing late in the summer, in order to discourage new growth that will be too delicate for the colder months. However, fall mulching is fine--you can even make your own by finely chopping up dead leaves in your lawn mower! Use a kit to test the pH level in your soil, and use sulfur or lime to adjust it before winter.     

Irrigation Systems

If you have an irrigation system in your landscape, turn it off when temperatures are in danger of dipping below freezing. Drain any existing water remaining in the irrigation system. Freezing and expanding in the pipes can ruin them over the winter.

Fall Planting

Can’t get enough of planting? Fall can be a good time for some new plants to take root in a landscape, and with so many tempting plants on clearance at lawn and garden stories, it’s hard to resist adding some extra color, or something new! For ideas and inspiration about fall planting, visit here.  

Located in South Elgin, Illinois, LaFarge Fox River Decorative Stone has been serving homeowners and businesses since 1934. Our team of experts in on hand to help prepare your landscaped walls and masonry for fall and winter. Visit our showroom and outdoor displays Mondays through Fridays from 7 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays from 7 am until noon, or visit our website for more information! 

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show

The annual Chicago Flower & Garden Show is just around the corner, running March 12-20. Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone is proud to once again be a sponsor for this fantastic event! According to the official website, the tradition of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show can be traced back to 1847 when it was created as an exhibition of prized fruits and flowers. Today, the Chicago Flower & Garden Show is all about inspiring, educating and motivating the next generation of gardeners. The event takes place at Navy Pier, and there's a lot to do in terms of attractions and activities. Here what you don't want to miss:

• Feature Gardens - there are more than 20 gardens to walk through, each with a different theme and created by a builder with strong ties to the community. For example, you can walk through a "pollinator" themed exhibit by the Brookfield Zoo. Chicago Flower & Garden Show sponsor Mariano's has a floral market themed garden where you can purchase bulbs and blooms. Check out a complete list of the gardens here!
• Seminars - there are insightful seminars running all day, every day of the festival. Click here for the full schedule and more information about these fun and educational gardening seminars!
• Garden Gourmet Culinary Demonstrations - Chicago's very own culinary elite will present on stage their secrets to creating fresh and inspired dishes. There will be a different culinary demonstrator each day at different times during the festival. Check the schedule here to see if your favorite Chicago chef or restaurant will be sharing their culinary secret!
• Home & Garden Marketplace - The Chicago Flower & Garden Show's expansive marketplace has been a festival favorite for years. New exhibitors and returning favorites will be showing their green goods for you to peruse and purchase. Click here for the full list of exhibitors as well as a handy map to see where each will be located on the show floor.
• Kid's Activities - The Chicago Flower & Garden Show is fun for the whole family! Visit the website here for a list of free and educational hands-on activities your kids can enjoy at the festival.

So save the dates, buy your tickets, and enjoy the Chicago Flower & Garden Show this year. Make sure you look for the Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone logo throughout the Festival Halls in Navy Pier as a proud sponsor of this great event and Chicago tradition!