Fill in the Blanks: A Guide to Fill Dirt

With spring being in full bloom and summer on the horizon, many of us are entrenched in working in the garden or starting that home addition/remodeling project.  It is safe to say that no matter which project you are beginning, it will require dirt that can be funneled into two categories: topsoil or fill dirt. Most people know what topsoil is.  But there is a large group of people that have never heard of fill dirt.  

Fill dirt is an earthy material which is used to fill in a depression or hole in the ground or create mounds or otherwise artificially change the grade or elevation of real property.  It is usually subsoil, soil from beneath the topsoil and underlying soil parent material which has little soil organic matter or biological activity. Fill dirt is taken from a location where soil is being removed as a part of leveling an area for construction. It may also contain sand, rocks, and stones.  

What is it used for?  Fill dirt is used for a myriad of things. Since it doesn’t contain organic matter, there’s no chance of decomposition within the material, which means it will retain a firm surface without the possibility of crumbling in on itself.  It’s a material that’s helpful for correcting various issues and provides a simple solution for shaping the landscape

• Filling in Low Points. As a result, most professionals use it to fill in holes or crevices within the construction site as well as to level out a new road or to adjust the slope of a freshly designed lawn.   
• Building Up Landscapes.  Some property owners prefer the look of landscapes with multiple levels of ground or with hilly patches.  The only way to add that type of dimension and visual interest to a flat landscape is to use fill dirt to build up these areas.  The dirt can be strategically placed to create multi-level terraces or to erect rolling hills.
• Construction.  For safety reasons, no home or building can be deemed safe for occupancy unless it’s sitting on top of a firm and reliable foundation.  Fill dirt can be used to build areas that will not move, shift or settle but instead will hold fast in place so that the structure can last for generations.  

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:

http://nearsay.com/c/382729/48949/what-is-fill-dirt-what-is-it-used-for?widget_id=lvscd2a3acec

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

The Top Four Reasons to Invest in a Fire Pit for Fall

As the leaves change and the air grows crisper, fall arrives with the plethora of activities to do outside. Friday night football, apple picking, and pumpkin farms are just a few that come to mind when thinking of fall festivities. One of our ultimate favorites at Lafarge Fox River Stone is gathering around a fire pit and enjoying our loved one’s company on a beautiful fall night. Thinking of adding a fire pit to your home? Here are four reasons why we’re all for it!

Great Focal Point of Outdoor Space

If you’re looking for a simple, yet effective way to spruce up your outdoor space, a fire pit is a great place to start with the renovations. Even when they’re not in use, they add to your space aesthetically to help create a beautiful gathering space and become a design anchor. Fire pits can tie everything in with several design schemes.

Increases the Home Value

Not only do fire pits add to your outdoor space, but they increase a home’s value as a whole and can add some zest and flare to a more traditional landscape. Because fire pits are now a more popular way to entertain guests, it’ll be a great selling point and draws attention to the architecture of your home as well.

Helps to Make Your Outdoor Space More Enjoyable

Fire pits help create another space for entertainment at your home, which can make your outdoor space enjoyable for many months past the summer. Many believe that outdoor entertainment has to end when the weather grows colder, but we like to disagree! Bonfires, roasting s’mores, or celebrating on game days are now all possible with your very own fire pit.

Creates an Ambiance

We know we’re not in the early 1900’s anymore, but we all still like to keep up with the Joneses every once in awhile. You get a beauty and ambiance to your outdoor decor unlike any other when you incorporate a fire pit into the mix. They create the perfect atmosphere for spending time with family and friends; there’s just something about a crackling fire contrasting the crisp, fall air.

At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we have the supplies you need to help create the perfect fire pit for your outdoor space. For more information on the products we carry, you can visit our website or give us a call at (847)-888-6133 today!

Why You Should Build With Stone

At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we love working with all kinds of stone in our projects. When it comes down to style and durability, there’s a clear winner in our eyes. While there are plenty of products to work with when it comes to landscaping projects, we swear by stone, and all the benefits it can give you in the long run.

Style

We love the organic look that stone can provide to a space. There are so many types of stones that range in size, shape, and color that can really give you a variety of options to choose from. Working with stone gives you the opportunity to pick exactly what you’re looking for that can naturally blend in with the rest of your space.

Durability

Stone is about as durable as they come. With it being fireproof, rot-free, and vermin-proof, anything made with stone is going to be around for a long time, with little or no maintenance work required. No worries about leakage or cracking in your walls- when built properly, it’s durability can last for years to come. If you trust the professionals to build with stone, you’ll save time and money without a worry of anything going wrong.

Affordability

Stone can be some of the most affordable products on the market when it comes to big projects. There’s also a lot of it, and can be found just about anywhere. At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we offer several types of building stone and thin stone, along with cultured stone, which is manmade but resembles natural stone and weighs significantly less, all at an affordable price. Because of its low-maintenance care, it also saves you a lot on repair projects in the future.

At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we believe in using the best products for every project we are part of. While we work with a plethora of resources, we love the look of stone and highly recommend choosing stone as your product when executing a project. To learn more information on our products or services, you can visit our website or give us a call at (847)-888-6133 today!

Our Landscaping Products for Contractors

When it comes to taking on a big-scale project, we at Lafarge Fox River Stone understand what contractors need to get the job done swiftly and securely. They need reliability, accountability, and products they can trust. With our wide variety of products that we offer, we are the leading supplier of construction material in the Chicagoland area, with our landscaping products at top of the list.

Mulch

Whether you’re looking for an aromatic mulch or for a more generic brown mulch, we have several varieties of mulch and topsoil ready to be used for any kind of landscaping project. We also have pulverized topsoil and a playground mulch that exceeds the ASTM testing requirements that is recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for playground surfaces.

Decorative Ground Cover

Not a big fan of mulch? We offer a wide variety of over 25 stone products that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors that can be used in flower beds, gardens, and other areas. We also have large rocks or fine gravel to choose from that can absorb water and prevent weed growth while adding a stylish appeal to your project. Stones can be ordered by the bag or by the ton depending on the scale of the project.

Boulders

If you’re looking for bigger stones, we got you covered there too. We offer boulders that can be angular or rounded so that they can fit into any design scheme. Boulders are priced by the ton based on their size category: 12”-18”, 18”-24”, or 24”-36.”

Outcropping

Outcropping is a vital resource when building retaining walls and hillsides. To ensure that they are built the proper way the first time, Lafarge Fox River Stone has years of experience, knowledge, and resources at the ready. We have several standard sizes and finishes available for economical installation.

Patios, Walkways, and Steps

When it comes to building patios, walkways, and steps, it’s important to not only have a material that is eye-appealing, but also one that is durable and will make your investment worthwhile. We have several varieties of patio and walkway material available with our most popular being the Natural Steppers and the Concrete Steppers.

Accessories

Landscaping is no easy task, which is why we carry all the landscaping accessories that you need to make your job go as swiftly as possible. We carry everything from grass seed and fertilizer, to weed control and drainage products, along with edging materials to keep everything neat and where it’s supposed to be.

Trust Lafarge Fox River Stone to sell you the best products out there to help you complete the best jobs you’ve ever done. For more information on our services and products, you can visit our website or give us a call at (847)-888-6133 today!