contractor - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T09:11:22Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/contractorLandscape contractors to be recognised at Chelseahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscape-contractors-to-be-recognised-at-chelsea2016-05-16T07:27:54.000Z2016-05-16T07:27:54.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>This year, a new medal is being awarded at RHS Chelsea Flower Show that recognises the role landscape contractors and their teams play in the realisation of a show garden. There will be one Best Construction Award, and it will be made from a shortlist of gardens that have been judged “excellent” for construction. Chelsea insiders know – and the judges’ tick-sheets record – that a garden does not win gold unless the build quality is outstanding, so for many contractors this recognition is long overdue.</p>
<p>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/chelsea-flower-show/heroes-in-hi-vis-meet-the-builders-behind-the-chelsea-flower-sho/</p>
</div>Etesia Provides Quality for Landscape Contractorhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/etesia-provides-quality-for-landscape-contractor2014-04-03T13:45:07.000Z2014-04-03T13:45:07.000ZEtesia UKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/EtesiaUK<div><p>Sherratt Landscape Contractors, a commercial grounds maintenance company based in Flintshire Wales, has recently invested in a fleet of new Etesia pedestrian and ride-on mowers to ensure that the high quality the company is renowned for is maintained.</p><p>Craig Stockton, Managing Director at Sherratt, comments: “We had used other brands before but always had problems with reliability. I spoke with Jonathan from Morris’s Stores, our local dealer, and he recommended looking at Etesia. We had a demo and since the change-over to Etesia it’s really worked for us.”</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207975?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207975?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>Craig decided to change their fleet of pedestrian mowers to the PRO 46 and PRO 51 and ride-on mowers to the Hydro 80 which have been continuously at work on 80 gardens in North Wales each and every day for the past five years, with nothing but regular servicing ever required.</p><p>Designed to meet the rigours of a wide variety of commercial grass cutting applications, Etesia’s Pro 46 pedestrian rotaries are specified by contractors who want to profit from grass cutting. The Single bladed Etesia PRO46 PBE push and PRO46 PBTS self-propelled models have a 5hp Briggs and Stratton engine. Cutting width is 46cm, the detachable grass box with ‘full’ indicator has a capacity of 52 litres, and overall weight is just 37kg. Designed around the operator, the handlebars are ergonomically shaped and mounted for ease-of-use. New 'soft-touch' controls reduce pressure on the hands and fingers during operation. Extensive testing of these latest models has shown low vibration levels that meet stringent Health and Safety guidelines. There are six models available in the range, with options including a mulching facility.</p><p>The compact Hydro 80 ride-on mower is ideal for multi-tasking and easily adapts to every terrain, every grass cutting situation and every task. The pocket-size cut and collect mower, at just 0.82 m wide and 1.98 m long, features an incredibly tight turning circle and is able to nip into every nook and cranny as well as being able to be easily transported in the back of a van or on the back of a trailer.</p><p>“After using Etesia for the past five years, we now know the life cycle of a machine. If we are tendering for a three year maintenance contract, we know that the Etesia mower will last.</p><p>“The PRO46 and PRO 51 mowers are bullet proof but also light weight which enables one-man grass cutting teams to operate. Manoeuvrability of the Hydro 80 is fantastic. The fact that they can fit through gates whilst cutting and collecting even in the wet is by far its best feature,” said Craig.</p><p>For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.etesia.co.uk">www.etesia.co.uk</a></p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK">www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK</a>. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK">www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK</a></p></div>Marshalls Contractor of the Year 2013 is Shore Landscapeshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/marshalls-contractor-of-the-year-2013-is-shore-landscapes2014-03-25T06:44:51.000Z2014-03-25T06:44:51.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BjhpJYNIIAA2x9R.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BjhpJYNIIAA2x9R.jpg" class="align-center" /></a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>And the Marshalls Contractor of the Year goes to Shore Landscapes! Congratulations! <a href="http://t.co/MUvWmNAjm2">pic.twitter.com/MUvWmNAjm2</a></p>
— Marshalls (@MarshallsGroup) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarshallsGroup/statuses/448223772999680000">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>Landscape Contractor Chooses Pellenc for Quiet Garden Maintenancehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscape-contractor-chooses-pellenc-for-quiet-garden-maintenance2014-03-11T09:53:23.000Z2014-03-11T09:53:23.000ZEtesia UKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/EtesiaUK<div><p>Alaster Anderson Specialist Gardeners, a London-focused soft landscaping and garden maintenance company, has purchased a range of environmentally friendly battery-powered Pellenc products.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314203197?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314203197?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-left"/></a>The purchase includes two grass strimmers, two hedge trimmers, two blowers, long reach hedge cutter and chainsaw – all powered by four ultra-lithium batteries, which provide a constant power, giving the contractor up to a full day of work depending on the type of tool used.</p><p>Senior Horticulturalist Natalie Nixon first heard of Pellenc three years ago whilst working at RHS Wisley, where the products are also extensively used. “I was very impressed with the Pellenc products I had used at Wisley, so when I joined here, it was only natural I recommended them when a customer said he wanted to use ‘green’ maintenance equipment where ever possible.”</p><p>Natalie’s priority is a six acre private garden in North London where she spends 3-4 days each week, which was designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole and is based on the concept of field patterns. “We have a lot of grasses, perennials and hedging made up of maple, beach and hornbeam which all require a lot of on-going maintenance.”</p><p>Hedging can take anything up to six weeks of the year, which is generally at the end of July and the beginning of August. “What I find really good when we have to cut the hedging is how quiet all the machinery is. I know our client doesn’t like to hear the noise of petrol-powered tools, so using the Pellenc equipment ensures it’s so much quieter not just for the client and neighbours but also for us as the users as well It means that we no longer have to use ear defenders which can sometimes be restrictive.”</p><p>Natalie particularly likes the four-speed selector on the Helion hedge cutter, Excelion grass strimmer and Airion blower: “I like the fact that you are able to work at variable speeds, which are really easy to adjust to the correct working speed, rather than just on or off. For what we do here, this technology is perfect as you have a lot of control and get a really good finish.”</p><p>In the last five years, Pellenc has gained market recognition by offering a unique range of ‘zero emission’ battery-powered handheld tools, thanks to the development of Lithium-ion ultra-high performance batteries. This technology, which is exclusive to Pellenc, allows for a drastic reduction in the production of greenhouse gases and noise pollution. It is also comfortable for users, meets new sustainable development demands and offers excellent economic profitability.</p><p>Another benefit that Natalie likes is that the battery pack is harnessed to the users back, which she explains makes the machines simpler to use and easy to handle. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314200598?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314200598?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-right"/></a></p><p>“With the amount of adjustments that can be made on the harness, the machines are ideal for quality work. I used to struggle with petrol hedge cutters and that can really affect the quality of the cut. I found that I was getting tired by the end of the day and began to drop the blade, but it’s now a distant memory since we’ve switched to Pellenc.</p><p>Pellenc is exclusively distributed in the UK by Etesia UK.</p><p>For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.etesia.co.uk" target="_blank">www.etesia.co.uk</a></p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.twitter.com/EtesiaUK" target="_blank">@EtesiaUK</a> and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK</a>. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK</a> including hearing what Natalie says.</p></div>Aura Landscapes Win 8th Marshalls Award!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/aura-landscapes-win-8th-marshalls-award2013-12-18T11:45:27.000Z2013-12-18T11:45:27.000ZMike Warmanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AuraLandscapes<div><p>We are proud to announce our latest win at the Marshalls Regional Awards held in Southampton at the end of November. We were very happy to have won the 2013 award for 'Best use of a new Marshalls product' for a front garden installed using Marshalls Stoneface walling.<br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314174353?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314174353?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="534" class="align-full" height="400"/></a>The winning project:</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314179462?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314179462?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="543" class="align-full" height="407"/></a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314178800?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314178800?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="539" class="align-full" height="783"/></a></p></div>Local Gritting Services Available This Winter from National Contractorhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/local-gritting-services-available-this-winter-from-national2013-10-17T09:26:16.000Z2013-10-17T09:26:16.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Complete Ice Control is brought to you by the same people who deliver Complete Weed Control and has been introduced in response to the overwhelming need for a professional, reliable and trusted local gritting service to deal with snow and ice worries using the best tools and technology available.</p><p>If you run a fleet of vehicles from a central depot, or from several depots up and down the country, what is the cost to your business if your vehicles cannot get out of the yard and on to the main road network?</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314156794?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314156794?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>If your fleet cannot get out on the road, then your business grinds to a halt. Even worse, if penalty clauses apply for late or missed deliveries, then not only are you paying the wages of those who can’t go anywhere, letting your customers down, you may actually have to fork out money on penalties.</p><p>None of this is good for business.</p><p>But, in Britain’s ever doubtful winters, what can you do about these problems? If you wake up one morning and nothing can get out on the road because your yard and access roads are iced-up and snowed over, what can be done? Complete Ice Control has the solution.</p><p>Complete Ice Control is a private snow clearance and gritting operation with full national coverage. They specialise in making sure that essential private access areas are kept open through the worst of winter’s storms. They will get your trucks back on the road.</p><p>Call Complete Ice Control and they will get to your stricken vehicles and clear and grit the area to get your fleet out on the road; though you must consider that, after a cold, cold night, they are likely to be pretty busy. That’s why Complete Ice Control has a much better solution for you to consider.</p><p>Complete Ice Control subscribe to the MET Office Open-road weather forecast system, which gives them access to site-specific forecasts for each 24hr period. Also, Complete Ice Control pre-allocates stocks of salt specifically for customers’ sites and adds their locations to the forecasting system. They know when their customers are likely to have problems and can get out there before the weather hits.</p><p>The most effective way of making sure ice and snow do not form an un-navigable sheet across any area is to pre-treat it with salt or brine. Using only pure, white, solar salt, which leaves no residue and is much more effective than standard rock-salt, the Complete Ice Control team can treat your ground before the ice forms, and keep your fleet on the move. They can also get the ploughs in to shift the snow when the fall is particularly heavy.</p><p>As well as keeping your business running, they can also keep your personnel safe. Employers have a duty of care of everyone on their premises, and a bad fall on un-cleared ice could cost tens of thousands of pounds in compensation.</p><p>So here is what Complete Ice Control offers. If you call them when your vehicles are stuck, they will come to your rescue as soon as they can. If you call them now however, they will keep an eye on the weather, and come to your rescue before your vehicles get stuck. And they will keep your staff safe too.</p><p>This winter, let Complete Ice Control worry about the weather for you. They will keep your show on the road.</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Ice Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeicecontrol.co.uk" target="_blank">www.completeicecontrol.co.uk</a>. You can also follow Complete Ice Control on Twitter <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/IceControl" target="_blank">@IceControl</a> for more news, reviews and insightful views.</p></div>White Horse Contractor’s Investment in Specialist Equipment Improves Productivityhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/white-horse-contractor-s-investment-in-specialist-equipment2013-08-23T09:21:52.000Z2013-08-23T09:21:52.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Leading natural and artificial sports ground contractors, White Horse Contractors, has continued its policy of heavily investing in specialised plant and machinery with the purchase of a GKB Drainmaster and 2.2m heavy duty disc seeder from sportsturf equipment specialists BLEC (Global) Limited.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314129341?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314129341?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>Equipped for the 21st century, White Horse Contractors maintains and operates a large fleet of plant and equipment, undertaking a diversity of operations including earthmoving and landscaping works. The company also pioneered the development of specialist sports field trenchers for use on existing turf surfaces, with full laser grade control and an additional facility for elevating excavated soil directly into transport.</p><p>The latest investment, the GKB Drainmaster, is designed to provide a robust solution for the drainage of natural turf sports facilities. Typically used as a secondary drainage treatment over a primary land drainage scheme, the Drainmaster combines the drainage intensity of traditional sand slits with the speed of installation found with the BLEC Sandmaster, thereby creating a highly cost-effective method for the control of excess surface water.</p><p>It is suited to all forms of natural turf sports pitches or golf course fairways and can be installed with the minimum of disruption to the facility. The machine excavates 40 mm wide x (up to) 230 mm deep trenches at 1.0 or 0.50 m centres that are simultaneously backfilled with sand or rootzone as part of the same operation.</p><p>Spoil from the trenches is elevated cleanly into trailers where it can be removed from the drainage area. Following completion of the secondary drainage operation, the sports surface should be reinstated by overseeding and, where possible, the surface should be top dressed with sand to prolong the serviceable lifespan of the Drainmaster slits.</p><p>"The new machines added to our fleet increase our productivity," said Gary Kneller, White Horse Contractor’s new Managing Director. “The Drainmaster also reduces labour and transport cost which means the surface benefits from improved surface drainage and improved playing capacity without increasing clients renovation budgets The excavated material can also be utilised on-site which further reduces the cost of off-site removal.”</p><p>The investment has already started to pay off with the new machine being put straight into work with the installation of secondary drainage as part of a larger pitch renovation project at Chelsea FC’s Training Ground in Cobham, Surrey.</p><p>This investment and continued improvement of equipment underlines White Horse Contractor’s commitment to the 'in-house' approach which has kept them at the forefront of the industry since 1957.</p><p>For further information, please contact White Horse Contractors on 01865 736 272 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.whitehorsecontractors.co.uk" target="_blank">www.whitehorsecontractors.co.uk</a></p></div>Souters Sports Appoint New Surveyorhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/souters-sports-appoint-new-surveyor2013-06-17T10:43:37.000Z2013-06-17T10:43:37.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Souters Sports, one of the UK’s leading natural sportsturf contractors, has appointed a new trainee surveyor to support current projects and future growth.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314111883?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314111883?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>James Underhill, 21, joins Souters at an exciting time, with the company working at a host of Premier League football clubs for end of season renovations. James first worked for the contractor as a labourer three years ago where he gained valuable site experience.</p><p>James says: “I’m particularly looking forward to work within the sports and amenity industry and applying the experience I gained from my previous role to build expertise in this area.”</p><p>“We are keen to maintain the competitive advantage we have created over the last few years,” said Robert Heath, Contracts Director at Souters Sports.</p><p>“The contract market has become more competitive over the last 3 years, so, as a company, we need to become even more efficient and give customers an even better service that we currently offer. James will be assisting the management team already in place and I’m very pleased that he has decided to join the Souters’ team and look forward to working with him on our continued expansion.”</p><p>For further information, please contact Souters Sports Limited on 01236 453030 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.souterssports.co.uk">www.souterssports.co.uk</a>. Souters Sports are also on Twitter: @SoutersSports</p></div>Landscape Contractor Chooses Etesia for all Grass Cutting operationshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscape-contractor-chooses-etesia-for-all-grass-cutting2013-05-03T12:51:23.000Z2013-05-03T12:51:23.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Designed to meet the rigours of a wide variety of commercial grass cutting applications, Etesia’s Pro 46 pedestrian rotary mower is specified by contractors who want to profit from grass cutting. Reliability of mowing equipment is essential for this work which is why one Sussex landscape contractor chooses Etesia for all grass cutting operations.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314211283?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314211283?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>Green Grass Services, set up by John Vincent five years ago, specialises in grass cutting and landscape maintenance in the south east of England. In over 30 years of working within the industry John says that there isn’t a pedestrian mower he hasn’t used. The company ensures that there is always an Etesia mower in their fleet of maintenance equipment and has done for over twenty years.</p><p>“When we spoke to Matt Clark at South East Groundcare about which mower would be best suited for this type of work, we stressed the importance of the ability to cope with cutting in all weather conditions without clogging. Etesia are renowned for being able to cut in the wet and our previous experience with their machines was excellent. We decided to change our entire fleet over to the Pro 46 PHTS.</p><p>“The Pro 46’s are light and easy to manoeuvre when grass cutting and also light enough to lift on/off our commercial vehicles. We just empty the grass boxes and take for green waste when each job is finished. The quality of cut is always excellent. The mowers are worked really hard throughout the year and just routine servicing is all we ever need. They are a real work-horse. You certainly get what you pay for and they were a sound investment, more than earning their keep.”The Single bladed Etesia Pro 46 has a 5hp 160cc Honda engine. Cutting width is 46cm, the detachable grass box with ‘full’ indicator has a capacity of 52 litres, and overall weight is just 37kg. Designed around the operator, the handlebars are ergonomically shaped and mounted for ease-of-use. New ‘soft-touch’ controls reduce pressure on the hands and fingers during operation. Extensive testing of these latest models has shown low vibration levels that meet stringent Health and Safety guidelines. There are six models available in the range, with options including mulching facility.</p><p>“The Pro 46 is well built, solid and 100% reliable. We can’t be without them. If you want a commercial mower to last, which is trouble free, buy an Etesia.”</p><p>For further information, or to arrange a free demonstration, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.etesia.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.etesia.co.uk</a></p><p>To view a video of John talking about the PHTS, please <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVR_0tsUvRE" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia on Twitter <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/EtesiaUK" target="_blank">@EtesiaUK</a> and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK.</a></p></div>Souters Complete ‘Green’ Project for Universityhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/souters-complete-green-project-for-university2013-04-30T14:45:38.000Z2013-04-30T14:45:38.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Following a highly competitive tendering process, leading natural sportsturf contractors Souters Sports have recently completed the redevelopment of the natural sports pitches at Sheffield Hallam University. Souters' in house labour and plant combined with their ability to provide a high quality service was certainly a key factor in securing the contract.</p><p>Souters Sports were awarded the contract in early 2012 with work starting in June that year which included the construction of 3 new rugby pitches, 2 new football pitches, complete drainage and irrigation systems for the 5 natural pitches, 2 new artificial cricket wickets and 4 new natural cricket wickets. The company were also tasked with the responsibility to bring the cricket wickets in to play for April 2013 and both the football and rugby pitches in to play for the new academic year in September.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314213232?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314213232?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>The contractor worked closely with the client to develop a strategy for all construction work that ensured no waste material was transported from the site. The resulting reduction in vehicle movements, retention of valuable void space in landfills and minimising waste are all practical ‘green’ benefits, meaning there was no disruption to the local landscape or nearby residents.</p><p>The construction of new pitches involved extensive earthworks which meant that the soil was all utilised on site for levels using specialist laser levelling equipment on the dozers.</p><p>Equipped for the 21st century, the company owns, maintains and operates a modern fleet of plant and equipment meaning that excellent progress was achieved in spite of the wet weather seen last year.</p><p>Sheffield Hallam has a long term sport strategy and the investment in the new Sports Park is key to achieving that. The redeveloped site is now known as the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park after its major revamp to create international standard rugby and football pitches, versatile synthetic pitches and a brand new sports pavilion named after Graham Solley, the University’s former head of sport.</p><p>“Souters Sports were very professional and experts in their business,” said Matt Summerhill of Rider Levett Bucknall UK, the contract administrator. “The project wasn’t without its difficulties due to the weather, but Souters Sports dealt with it in a professional and considerate manner. I cannot recommend them highly enough”.</p><p>For further information, please contact Souters Sports Limited on 01236 453030 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.souterssports.co.uk" target="_blank">www.souterssports.co.uk</a>.</p></div>Rugby Centre of Excellence Select CWC for Total Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/rugby-centre-of-excellence-select-cwc-for-total-weed-control2013-04-23T09:39:46.000Z2013-04-23T09:39:46.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>The £4 million WRU National Centre of Excellence, which provides training facilities for the Welsh rugby team, Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City FC and the Welsh FA at the Vale Resort near Cardiff, South Wales has selected Complete Weed Control (South Wales) for its selective weed control maintenance programme ensuring the resort and two golf courses are always in pristine condition.</p><p>The state-of-the-art resort provides the best available pitches and training facilities on both natural and artificial surfaces for specialist and personal training at the highest level.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314211227?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314211227?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>Simon Heal, Head of sportsturf and estates at the Vale Resort explained that working with Complete Weed Control helps provide surfaces similar to that of the nearby Millennium Stadium, where the company also provide spraying services.</p><p>“CWC are a massive help and have helped us reduce the amount of chemicals that we previously used,” explains Simon. “We’ve been trying to keep our grass surfaces as hardy as possible throughout the year. We’ve got a good relationship with Nick who also assists us with taking soil samples so that we can monitor any diseases and put a suitable plan in to place.”</p><p>There are five full size pitches, three 60x40 pitches plus ‘off-field’ training areas and one 3G artificial surface – all have to be maintained to a high standard ensuring playing characteristics are the same across all pitches.</p><p>“Complete Weed Control has been working here for almost ten years, first at our two golf courses and now at the Centre of Excellence. We meet at least once a month to talk over what will be happening at the centre and the fertiliser programme we will be working to.”</p><p>As an ex- Cardiff City player himself, Simon knows what the players and management staff expect from the playing surfaces. “I’ve got a great relationship with Malky Mackay, the Cardiff City Manager, and we work together on producing the best possible playing surface for his players.”</p><p>The contractor also sprays any hard-standing area around the resort including club houses, the hotel and the new apartment development, described as Wales’ most exclusive address.</p><p>“CWC are a great team to work with and very knowledgeable. If I ever have a specific problem, I know I can trust them to help me find the correct solution.”</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk" target="_blank">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a>. You can also follow CWC on Twitter @CWCLimited for much more news, reviews and insightful views.</p></div>Permeable driveway installer contractor Exeterhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/permeable-driveway-installer-contractor-exeter2013-02-18T20:04:49.000Z2013-02-18T20:04:49.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div><p>We undertake Permeable block paving, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, driveways, patios, pathways, gardens, using Tobermore products in Exeter Devon. </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THIS PROJECT IS UNDER PERMEABLE DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION, CLICK <span style="color: #ff0000;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/suds-compliant-tobermore-permeable-driveway-exeter-devon" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000;">HERE</span></a></span> TO VIEW DAY 7-9 IMAGES.</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><strong>Day 10</strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88deeaf970d-popup"><img alt="Permeable block paving contractor" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88deeaf970d image-full" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88deeaf970d-800wi" title="Permeable block paving contractor"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Laying of the permeable driveway paving blocks</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d411a2784970c-popup"><img alt="Brushing in the permeable infill" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017d411a2784970c image-full" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d411a2784970c-800wi" title="Brushing in the permeable infill"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The 3mm clean stone infill id brushed into the joints of the permeable driveway block paving units and a wacker passed over the top to vibrate the stone tight and iron out any minor high spots.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88df42b970d-popup"><img alt="Recessed paving tray" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88df42b970d image-full" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88df42b970d-800wi" title="Recessed paving tray"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">One of two recessed paving trays is installed to the correct heights and levels, the tray is squared off to suit the laying pattern.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88df579970d-popup"><img alt="The tramp gets moved" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88df579970d image-full" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee88df579970d-800wi" title="The tramp gets moved"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a first, I've never experienced any onsite squatter parking a caravan on my unfinished works, I'm afraid this eye sore will be in most of my images from here on. I will ask the client that I return once the project has finished and they have moved in.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d411a2bb6970c-popup"><img alt="Permeable paving contractor Devon" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017d411a2bb6970c image-full" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d411a2bb6970c-800wi" title="Permeable paving contractor Devon"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The entire permeable block paving surface is washed to remove the pink dust from the 3mm infill grit.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><strong>Day 11</strong></span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8983ebd970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8983ebd970d image-full" alt="Entrance of permeable driveway Silverton" title="Entrance of permeable driveway Silverton" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8983ebd970d-800wi" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8983ebd970d-popup"></a>As I mentioned in previous pages, i have broken the large permeable driveway project into two sections, the second part of the permeable driveway near Tiverton commences.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8984009970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8984009970d image-full" alt="Passive house with permeable driveway" title="Passive house with permeable driveway" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8984009970d-800wi" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">The same permeable installation applies to part two, 40mm clean stone from sub grade to the start of the 200mm sub base.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8984187970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8984187970d image-full" alt="Passive house Tiverton with permeable driveway" title="Passive house Tiverton with permeable driveway" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee8984187970d-800wi" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Two consolidated layers of 100mm each layer with 20mm clean stone </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee89842ce970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee89842ce970d image-full" alt="Siverton permeable driveway" title="Siverton permeable driveway" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee89842ce970d-800wi" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">The upper screed course consists of 40mm of 6mm clean stone consolidated.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee89843a8970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee89843a8970d image-full" alt="Silverton, Tiverton permeable driveway" title="Silverton, Tiverton permeable driveway" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee89843a8970d-800wi" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">A panoramic view of the permeable driveway project in Devon</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><strong>THIS PROJECT IS ON GOING, PLEASE RETURN SOON TO VIEW DAILY PROGRESS.</strong></span></p></div>Patio paving slab installer Exeter Devonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/patio-paving-slab-installer-exeter-devon2013-02-01T19:30:00.000Z2013-02-01T19:30:00.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div><p style="text-align: center;">The contents of this blog shows how to install patios, garden paving, paving slabs, paving stones, patio, stone paving, paving stone, patio stone, patio stones, concrete slabs, slabs, flagstones in Devon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THIS PROJECT IS UNDER PERMEABLE DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION, CLICK <span style="color: #ff0000;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/permeable-block-paving-driveway-exeter-devon" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000;">HERE</span></a></span> TO VIEW <strong><strong>SITE PLANS, </strong></strong> BEFORE AND DAY 1 IMAGES.</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Day 2</strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4ca4b970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4ca4b970c" alt="Consolidated sub base" title="Consolidated sub base" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4ca4b970c-500wi" width="673" height="505"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The 450x450 Tobermore Mayfair silver patio paving slabs are walked through the passive house and loaded out on the edge of the proposed garden patio area.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The pins and string lines are installed to the correct heights, falls and levels for water runoff.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4ce85970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4ce85970c" alt="Full paving mortar beds" title="Full paving mortar beds" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4ce85970c-500wi" width="673" height="505"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The patio paving slabs are laid of a full bed of mortar, we never use the 5 spot system as this will lead to problems later as this procedure is unprofessional and not durable.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee819a153970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee819a153970d" alt="10mm paving spacers" title="10mm paving spacers" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee819a153970d-500wi" width="676" height="507"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">All paving stones and spaced with a 10mm wooden spacer, this ensures the perfect sized spacing that I require for this project.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4d740970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4d740970c" alt="Level paving" title="Level paving" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d40a4d740970c-500wi" width="676" height="507"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The entire paving is completely level, you wouldn't want your glass of wine sliding off your patio table <span>now would you?</span>, every paving installed is leveled with a spirit level and not by eye.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee819a990970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017ee819a990970d" alt="Slight fall on paving for water runoff" title="Slight fall on paving for water runoff" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017ee819a990970d-500wi" width="685" height="514"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">For this project the slightest fall on the paving is required, this assists with the runoff of rain water into the soft landscaping.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017c36765de0970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017c36765de0970b" alt="Patio paving Devon" title="Patio paving Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017c36765de0970b-500wi" width="682" height="512"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The entire paving is scrubbed and hosed down with clean water ready for the pointing compound.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THIS PROJECT IS ON GOING, PLEASE RETURN SOON TO VIEW DAILY PROGRESS.</strong></p></div>Want Extra Cash? New Customers? Drivewayfix.co.uk is looking for approved contractors – Do you have the skills?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/want-extra-cash-new-customers-drivewayfix-co-uk-is-looking-for2012-04-20T13:57:58.000Z2012-04-20T13:57:58.000ZDriveway-Fixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DrivewayFix<div><p><b>Drivewayfix.co.uk is offering you the chance to add an extra string to your bow and become a ‘Drivewayfixer’.</b></p><p>With more and more homeowners choosing to ‘improve’ rather than ‘move’, now is the perfect time to become a Drivewayfixer.</p><p>Drivewayfix.co.uk offers a range of innovative products that will repair potholes, cracks and patches, and rejuvenate faded Tarmac drives.</p><p>The range includes Drive Revive®, a water based paint which revives tired and dull Tarmac driveways; Rapid Repair, a fast setting repair for concrete paths and PaveJoint, a jointing compound for narrow and wide joints.</p><p>Despite the range being very easy to use, we have plenty of customers who would prefer to have a professional apply the products for them – this is where our approved contractors step in.</p><p>Becoming a ‘Drivewayfixer’ is easy. Get in touch and you will be invited to join the team on a Drivewayfixer training day where you will learn all you need to know about the products, and be set on the path to increasing your skill set.</p><p>Plus, as soon as you have signed up you will receive a starter pack including flyers, quote sheets, pens, van stickers, and post-it notes to promote your new business venture.</p><p>As an added benefit, Drivewayfix.co.uk will forward all online enquiries in your local area straight to you, so you can provide a drivewayfix quote directly.</p><p>With many contractors on board already, you would be crazy to miss this opportunity for your own skilled business.</p><p>For further information on the range of products from Drivewayfix, or for more information on becoming an approved contractor, please email <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk">approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk</a> or call 01827 254469.</p><p> DrivewayFix is part of the Instarmac Group plc.</p><p> </p></div>Drivewayfix: Sealing the Future of Domestic Driveshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/drivewayfix-sealing-the-future-of-domestic-drives2012-04-20T13:56:25.000Z2012-04-20T13:56:25.000ZDriveway-Fixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DrivewayFix<div><p><em><strong>RJC Building & Paving have recently completed another successful ‘Drivewayfix’ project, giving a new lease of life to a domestic driveway.</strong></em></p><p>Experienced Drivewayfixer, RJC Building & Paving, have left another homeowner reaping the benefits of the Drivewayfix range of driveway restoration products, following the application of Seal & Stop.</p><p></p><p>The homeowners had battled with consistent weed growth and much of the jointing sand had been washed away on their paved driveway.</p><p></p><p>Calling upon their local Drivewayfixer, RJC Building & Paving were soon on hand to restore the drive to its former glory. Dried kiln sand was used to re-point the paving before Seal & Stop was applied.</p><p></p><p>Applied using a watering can, Seal & Stop binds sand particles together sealing the surface of the paving preventing jointing sand from being washed away.</p><p>Seal & Stop prevents future weed growth as it creates a barrier that weeds struggle to break through.</p><p></p><p>The 80sqm project was completed with ease and on time, leaving the homeowners, and their neighbours, impressed with the results.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Want to become a Drivewayfixer?</strong></em></p><p></p><p>Becoming a Drivewayfixer is easy. Get in touch and you will be invited to join the team on a Drivewayfixer training day where you will learn all you need to know about the products, and be set on the path to increasing your skill set. As soon as you sign up you will receive a starter pack including flyers, quote sheets, pens, van stickers and post-it notes to promote your new business venture.</p><p></p><p>As an added benefit, Drivewayfix will forward all online enquiries in your local area straight to you, so you can provide a Drivewayfix quote directly.</p><p>With many contractors on board already, you would be crazy to miss this opportunity for your own skilled business.</p><p></p><p>For further information on the range of products from Drivewayfix, or for more information on becoming an approved contractor, please email <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk">approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk</a>, or call 01827 254469.</p><p></p><p>To contact RJC Building & Paving please email rjcbuilders@msn.com.</p></div>Enhance your skill set with Drivewayfixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/enhance-your-skill-set-with-drivewayfix2012-04-20T13:54:40.000Z2012-04-20T13:54:40.000ZDriveway-Fixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DrivewayFix<div><p><em><strong>With house prices falling by 5% in 2012 and 5% again in 2013 (Guardian, October 2011) more and more homeowners are deciding to ‘improve’ , protecting their equity, rather than ‘move’ - now is the perfect time to develop your skill set and become a ‘Drivewayfixer’.</strong></em></p><p>Drivewayfix offers a range of innovative products that will repair potholes, cracks and patches and rejuvenate faded Tarmac drives.</p><p></p><p>Despite the range being very easy to use, plenty of homeowners would prefer to have a professional apply the products for them – this is where as a registered Drivewayfixer you could step in.</p><p></p><p>Becoming a Drivewayfixer is easy. Get in touch and you will be invited to join the team on a Drivewayfixer training day, where you will learn all you need to know about the products, and be set on the path to increasing your skill set.</p><p></p><p>Once you have signed up you will receive a starter pack that’s perfect for promoting your new business venture.</p><p>As an added benefit, all online enquiries made at Drivewayfix.co.uk will be forwarded straight to you, so you can provide a Drivewayfix quote directly.</p><p></p><p>With many homeowners across the country needing a Drivewayfixer, you would be crazy to miss this opportunity for your own skilled business.</p><p></p><p>The Drivewayfix range includes Drive Revive®, a water based paint which revives tired and dull Tarmac driveways; Rapid Repair, a fast setting repair for concrete paths and PaveJoint, a ready to use jointing compound for narrow and wide joints.</p><p></p><p>Other products available are:</p><div>• Pothole Repair Kit – a permanent pothole repair material</div><div>• Fix or Grout - bedding or pointing mortar</div><div>• Seal & Stop - prevents weed growth</div><div> </div><div><p>To watch step by step guides on how to apply all of these innovative products, simply visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.drivewayfix.co.uk">www.drivewayfix.co.uk</a>.</p><p></p><p>For further information on the range of Drivewayfix materials or for further details on how to become an approved Drivewayfixer, please email <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk">approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk</a>, call 01827 254469 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.drivewayfix.co.uk">www.drivewayfix.co.uk</a>.</p></div></div>Improve to Move with Drivewayfixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/improve-to-move-with-drivewayfix2012-04-20T13:53:17.000Z2012-04-20T13:53:17.000ZDriveway-Fixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DrivewayFix<div><p><em><strong>First impressions count for everything when selling a house. Leave a lasting impression for potential buyers by keeping the driveway to your house looking like new – fail to do this and you could miss out on a potential sale!</strong></em></p><p>A recent article published on Channel4.com (‘Tips & Advice on Selling a House’) claims that the most important step towards selling a house is creating ‘kerb appeal’. Potential buyers can be put off instantly if the front of a house looks worn or untidy.</p><p></p><p>Drivewayfix.co.uk offers a range of driveway DIY products that will create excellent kerb appeal without the usual expense.</p><p></p><p>The Drivewayfix range will repair potholes, remove oil and grease stains, fill cracks and holes, rejuvenate faded tarmac and make any driveway or path look brand new!</p><p></p><p>If you have potholes on your drive, you need a Pothole Repair Kit. The easy to use to kit allows you to fill in potholes, which is great news not just for your drive, but for your car too!</p><p>Alternatively, you may need Rapid Repair – a rapid setting concrete perfect for the repair of kerbs, edgings, shed bases and many other concrete surfaces.</p><p></p><p>A faded drive doesn’t bode well for creating a good impression for potential buyers. Drive Revive® is a water based paint which revives tired and dull tarmac driveways – you will not believe the difference Drive Revive® will make.</p><p></p><p>As well as repair solutions, Drivewayfix.co.uk also offers assistance with laying new paving. PaveJoint is a ready to use jointing compound , perfect for all paved surfaces, just brush into joints and wash away the excess.</p><p></p><p>Fix or Grout is a single solution for not 1, but 2 of the stages of laying paving. Suitable for use with all paving types, Fix or Grout can be used as a bedding or pointing paving slabs.</p><p></p><p>For keeping weeds at bay, you need Seal & Stop. This product stops jointing sand from being washed out, protects against stains and helps to prevent future weed growth.</p><p>Drivewayfix.co.uk is a safe and secure website that allows you to shop from the comfort of your own home and with a fast and effective delivery service (next working day guaranteed when ordered before 12pm) you will be repairing your drive before you know it.</p><p></p><p>To receive 10% off your order please visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.drivewayfix.co.uk/">www.drivewayfix.co.uk</a> and enter ‘HOME10’ at the checkout page plus there is currently FREE DELIVERY on all products.</p><p></p><p>Despite the products being easy to use and apply, you may prefer to have a professional apply the products for you, if so, why not contact one of Drivewayfix.co.uk’s approved contractors.</p><p></p><p>Drivewayfix has registered contractors across the country who are on hand to help with any paving and tarmac driveway problems. They have all attended training and have been approved to ensure that they work to the highest of standards.</p><p></p><p>For further information on this range of driveway repair or to contact your local approved contractor, visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.drivewayfix.co.uk/">www.drivewayfix.co.uk</a>, call 01827 871871 or email <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:driveway-fix@instarmac.co.uk">driveway-fix@instarmac.co.uk</a>.</p></div>Moving business forwards - safe contractorhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/moving-business-forwards-safe-contractor2012-01-20T21:30:00.000Z2012-01-20T21:30:00.000ZDan Frazer Gardeninghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DanFrazerGardening<div><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">I have been operating for over 2 years now and things have gone well. I have (perhaps predictably) got a bit obsessed with running this business and am looking to take things a step further, to work with more clients on bigger jobs and to increase employment.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">One major step I am taking this season is to become safe contractor accredited.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">I have decided to do this to aid my tendering success on local authority and commercial tenders. I believe that not only will having the logo make a difference, but knowing that I have done a full and thorough review of all of my documentation will settle any nerves when it comes to speaking confidently about my policies and procedures.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">I do not treat this lightly, and am not <em><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif';">just</span></em> trying to get more work from it. I want to ensure people know they are using a contractor they can trust; knowing that a company has gone through such a rigorous process in the name of quality can at least be held as some kind of assurance. It will also result in a more clear set of documents from which to direct staff training and will create a systematic approach to record keeping.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">It seems to me that safe contractor is one of the more highly-regarded accreditation schemes. It is one that I see mentioned in a lot in tenders, on local authority websites, and on communications by larger landscape firms. If nothing else it will provide a lot of advice to help a business get their paperwork in order.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">Landscape maintenance contractors need recognised accreditations if they want to move the business in a certain direction and I do not see an attractive enough general one to go for.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">I am working through the requirements and will focus on this to get accreditation as soon as possible. You never know when an opportunity might arise.</span></p></div>Landscapers Wirralhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscapers-wirral2012-01-20T14:07:49.000Z2012-01-20T14:07:49.000ZAshley Dempseyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AshleyDempsey<div><p><strong><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;" class="font-size-5">Landscapers Wirral</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;" class="font-size-5"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pavingbydempsey.co.uk" target="_blank">Dempsey</a> are a professional landscaping company serving Wirral and Merseyside. No sub-contractors all work is carried out to a high standard by Dempsey's experienced, professional and reliable landscapers.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;" class="font-size-3">PAVING,DRIVEWAY & LANDSCAPING CONTRACTOR</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-6"><strong><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">DEMPSEY</span></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;" class="font-size-5">Tel: 0151 608 5482</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;" class="font-size-5"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pavingbydempsey.co.uk">www.pavingbydempsey.co.uk</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;" class="font-size-5">Call Dempsey for professional landscaping services in Wirral and Merseyside.</span></p></div>Pleach Tree Installationhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/pleach-tree-installation2011-11-30T16:00:00.000Z2011-11-30T16:00:00.000ZRICHARD BICKLERhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/RICHARDBICKLER<div><p>We are very glad that the weather has been good for us, the last few days have seen us install a row of pleached carpinus to start the final phase of planting on one of our projects.</p><p>The preparation work started over 7 days ago when the site was carefully marked out, holes dug and 3 skip loads of awful material removed (see skip contents) a large delivery of planting soil and tree and shrub compost was also delivered. The base and sides of the tree pit were loosened as best as possible, kerb stones with platipus deadman anchors attached were set at the base of the holes covered with a stone drainage layer, a 15cm layer of good soil,tree and shrub compost/organic matter was mixed on site ready for back filling and placed over the anchors ready to receive the trees.</p><p>The trees arrived on time as promised by Deeepdale Trees and checked over and with the use of the truck hiab the trees were carefully loaded and moved towards there location on a tree truck barrow. Once all trees were by there holes a string line was set up to determine the exact positions, the rootballs were checked for sizes and the correct amount of material was used to set the finished levels, once in the hole the root balls were secured with platipus deadman anchors and secured, we will retension the anchors in due course as the trees begin to grow as needed. A fine perforated pipe was placed around the rootball, thereafter the mixed soil with a slow release fertiliser within was firmed in around the root ball and water was given to the trees..</p><p>Once all trees were installed and frames adjusted the frames were joined with bamboo canes and galvanised wire to the rear sections.</p><p>The next phase of planting will probably happen in Spring 2012 as the clients have yet to decide what scheme they want us to plant, watch this space..</p><p>For more information on the work that Arbour Design & Build can complete please see our website.<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314176391?profile=original"></a></p><p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.arbourdesign.co.uk"> </a></p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314172938?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314172938?profile=original" width="640"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314171443?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314171443?profile=original" width="640"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314168172?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314168172?profile=original" width="640"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314171582?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314171582?profile=original" width="640"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314176397?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314176397?profile=original" width="640"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314173233?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314173233?profile=original" width="640"/></a></p></div>LONDON GARDEN DESIGNhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/london-garden-design2011-11-15T16:00:00.000Z2011-11-15T16:00:00.000ZLondon Garden Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LondonGardenDesign<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" class="font-size-3"><b><span class="font-size-6"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.londongardendesign.info/" target="_blank">London Garden Design</a></span> is a working collaboration between established garden designer David Beasley (a design and build company) and experienced garden builder Clive Dearden (The Handmade Garden Company) who (with over 50 years combined experience in the industry) have a goal of offering private domestic customers/commercial clients (in London, The South East and Home Counties) the best, most affordable Garden/Landscape Design And Build service on the market!</b></span></p><p> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Please explore their <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.londongardendesign.info/" target="_blank">website</a> and follow the links to their joint <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Garden-Design/309738212375011">Social Media</a> pages to familiarise yourself with the work of David and Clive and the many ways in which they can enable a professional transformation of your garden/outside space.</span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" class="font-size-3">Please contact Clive on <span class="font-size-6" style="color: #ff0000;">020 3371 9837</span> for a free chat to discuss your requirements and receive further details on the services he and David can offer you.</span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TiSqWo_AxLc?rel=0&hd=1&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.londongardendesign.info/" target="_blank"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="3" style="font-weight: 800;">www.londongardendesign.info</font></a></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Autumn lawn scarifying around Glasgowhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/autumn-lawn-scarifying-around-glasgow2011-09-11T17:38:27.000Z2011-09-11T17:38:27.000ZDan Frazer Gardeninghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DanFrazerGardening<div><p>The wind and rain may put some people off but Dan Frazer Gardening is out every day mowing, trimming, and at this time of year, scarifying and treating moss in lawns all over central Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>Our method is a thorough one and greatly benefits the lawns; visible results are almost instant but designed to be long-lasting. We ensure the scarifying process is done at the correct depth and include pre and post treatments to ensure quick recovery and thorough moss removal.</p><p> </p><p>We are looking for new clients to get in touch if they wish a professional service, and are happy to serve homeowners and commercial or communal residential lawns.</p><p> </p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314149540?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314149540?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a></p></div>Strategic Ways to Beat your Big League Competitorshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/strategic-ways-to-beat-your2011-03-21T15:03:23.000Z2011-03-21T15:03:23.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314103722?profile=original"><img width="338" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314103722?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a>It’s always challenging for small businesses owners to bid against the big guys. Burdened with less staff and equipment, small businesses are often forced to compete on price alone – an action that ultimately leads to less profit – if any – at the end of the day. To stop the endless cycle of taking on unprofitable projects, small businesses need to compete on selling factors other than price alone. <br/><br/>There are a variety of features unique to your company that will definitely set you apart from your competition. The key is figuring out where your competition falls short, where you excel and how you can market your selling features to your customers in a way that shows them why you’re the favorable choice. <br/><br/>Step 1: Learn more about your competition: <br/>Prepare a report on your competition. You can do this by researching the web for local businesses, reviewing their annual reports and reading their company literature and marketing materials. You may want to view some of the sites and projects, either by checking out their portfolio online or taking a trip to look at some of their completed work. Take note of what you discover: how is their work, their marketing efforts, their approach, etc., different from yours? Jot down the services they offer and their pricing. From these notes, figure out what’s missing. What can you offer that’s different? Or what can you offer that your competitors cannot? <br/><br/>Step 2: Find your niche and target market: <br/>It’s not about appealing to the most customers; it’s about appealing to the right customers. One of the best ways to compete against the big leagues, who often provide numerous services and aim to reach a wide range of customers, is to zero in on a specific group of people who you know will be interested in your services. Businesses can’t be everything to everyone. There are going to be gaps between what big companies can provide and what customers want. Find out what that gap is and use it your advantage. <br/><br/>So how do you determine what your niche is? Start by taking a look at your current clientele. Does your business seem to attract average-wage home owners or luxury estate home owners? Do your services cater to corporations or commercial businesses? Perhaps they cater more to public parks, resorts or golf courses? Take your most valued customers into account. This will help you discover what your expertise should be. <br/><br/>Next take a look at your services and consider what you do really well. Are you known for your interlocking, your water features, your concrete work, your irrigation systems, your unique gardens? Does your best business come from your design and build landscapes or your maintenance work? <br/><br/>Once you determine your service compare it to your typical customer. Ask yourself: will they use this specialty service? Say you provide most of your business to average-wage couples; will they be looking for maintenance service? Or is maintenance service more attractive for commercial clients or estate-owning clients? Try and strike a balance between your “standard” customer and your decided niche. <br/><br/>Asking yourself these questions will help you sort through your work and pinpoint your expertise. And, if you can’t determine your niche from your current services, carve a new niche out for yourself. The most important thing to take away from this exercise is the fact that narrowing your expertise will narrow your competition and your variety of clientele – and this is a good thing! As an expert in one market, you’re more likely to have the undivided attention of a particular clientele rather than a broad base of fleeting customers. <br/><br/>Step 3: Find ways to cut corners: <br/>While competing on price shouldn’t be your selling point; you still need to offer a good price to your customers. And you can only lower prices when your overhead allows for it! Find ways to cut corners by offering promotional or discounted rates for a limited time. <br/><br/>Step 4: Ensure optimal customer service: <br/>Personal attention and one-on-one communication are elements that are often neglected by big businesses. Service with a personal touch starts with identifying with your customers. Instead of just communicating why you’re of value to your customer, show them. Show your customers how well you understand where they are coming from and what they are after. Bottom line: customers want to feel like they are taken care of. The last thing they want is the headache of having to worry about whether their project is completed on time and to their standards. Show your customers you’re dedicated to their satisfaction by taking the time to get to know them through a free consultation or meeting? They’ll notice and appreciate the extra effort you take to ensure the best in customer service and value. After all, it’s the little things that really do add up in creating a lasting impression. Other ways to add a personal touch to your business include: offering a free consultation, offering a free estimate, offering another similar service for free, increasing the value of a product or service, offering free maintenance for a designated time. <br/><br/>Step 5: Focus on convenience: <br/>Find a way to speed up the process of completing the project without sacrificing the quality of your service – your customers are always on the lookout for speedy, excellent service and quality workmanship. <br/><br/>Step 6: Provide buyer incentives: <br/>Whether you choose to offer discounts, new services, promotions or additional complimentary services, find a way to make customers feel as if they are getting more for their money if they do business with you.</p><p> </p><p>---</p><p><strong>The Landscape Management Network</strong> is the ultimate profit toolbox for landscape contractors. Developed by landscape contractors for landscape contractors, LMN's suite of online tools and systems offer landscape contractors anytime, anywhere access to tools that drive productivity. For more information, check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com">www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com</a></p></div>Systems Planninghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/systems-planning2011-03-15T12:24:13.000Z2011-03-15T12:24:13.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p><strong><em>Implement the right systems and spend less time working IN your business, more time working ON your business.</em></strong></p><p>After his last meeting with Bill, Dan returned to work with his mind set on jumpstarting the spring hiring process.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314097243?profile=original"><img width="338" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314097243?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a><br/>Dan started right away. He sent out job advertisements and when the resumes started streaming in, he weeded out the wrong applicants with his new hiring process. After meeting with the final applicants that made it through to an interview, Dan selected a few to take part in a 3-week working interview. Now, in March, his new hires are busy going through training, learning the ins and outs of Danscaping, which brings Dan to his next step: systems planning. Now that Dan has set himself up with the right people, he needs to take what’s in his head and ensure his people are executing accordingly, on their own and without Dan having to hold their hands. Dan understands that systems free owners up so that they can grow their business and get the most out of their people what he didn’t understand was how to actually step away and start working ON rather than IN his business. When he mentioned this to Bill over a phone conversation one evening, Bill assured Dan he once faced the same problem. <br/><br/>“What did you do?” asks Dan. <br/><br/>“First of all you need to understand what good systems are and why you need them,” Bill explains. “Because, ultimately, good systems are what will allow you to step away from the daily grind and work ON your business.” <br/><br/>Dan nods, “I definitely agree with you on that. A big problem around here is that everyone has their own way of doing things, and the right hand never knows what the left hand is doing. That leads to mistakes, and I’m constantly spending my time trying to fix them.” <br/><br/>“Exactly,” Bill replies. “Systems and processes are critical because they enable individuals to communicate in complex and changing environments using the same expectations so that predictable, repeatable results can occur. Without processes everyone would do what they want, when they want, on their own schedule, and using their own methods. At the end of the day what you have is total chaos. There’s no organized structure – and there’s certainly no way you could successfully step away from working IN your business when systems and processes aren’t in place.” <br/><br/>“Point taken,” Dan says. “That’s me and my business.” <br/><br/>“You bet,” says Bill. “I like to look at it this way: all fire trucks are set up exactly the same and there’s a reason for it! So that each fireman, regardless of which department they belong to, knows where everything is,” Bill explains. <br/><br/>“They put everything back exactly the same way and maintain it to the highest standard. When staff is transferred to other fire stations no further training is required because all the processes are identical. There is only one way of doing things. And thank goodness, because when someone’s house is on fire the fireman is not wasting time running back to the shop because they forgot the hose!” Bill says with a chuckle. <br/><br/>“To maximize your profit and productivity this year, you must work toward implementing these three critical systems:” <br/><br/>1. Job Planning – Job Planners take the information from the estimator’s head and puts it into the hands of your crews. This is critical for profitable jobs. How can you expect your crews to come in on time, on budget, if they don’t understand completely how the estimator saw the job? <br/>For design build projects, foremen need to know, at minimum: <br/><br/>•The man hours estimated <br/>•The equipment included (this has a significant factor on the hours) <br/>•The materials estimated – quantities, colors, measurements, etc.</p><p>For maintenance projects, foremen need to know, at minimum: <br/><br/>•Their route <br/>•Site maps/service instructions <br/>•Hours estimated per site</p><p><br/>A simple binder created for every job/route that includes designs or site maps, job specifications, copies of locates, blank timesheets and maps to the jobsite should be produced for every job or route. With the right information, your foreman can manage more work themselves. Less questions, less problems, and less waste – which will not only make their jobs easier, it will free you up to work more on your business. <br/><br/>Foremen should also be conducting daily meetings with their crews to discuss daily goals, order of operations, requirements, and problems/questions. To download a daily meeting agenda for your crews, go to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com/samples">www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com/samples</a>. <br/><br/>2.Job Costing – Job costing is the landscaping equivalent of keeping score. If you’re not tracking actual hours and materials, then you’re just playing around. For you or your employees to take success seriously, you must have a job costing system. I recommend you use your accounting software. All the information you need to track job costs has to be entered into accounting. Job hours need to be entered for payroll, material costs have to be entered for vendor bill tracking – it’s just a matter of ensuring these costs are not only entered into accounting, but they’re also billed to the correct jobs. Entering this data into two distinct systems is time consuming and, ultimately, waste. If necessary, change your systems to suit your accounting software. It’s easier than trying to find a software that fits your system. <br/><br/><br/>3.Organization Systems – Make a spot for everything. Label the spots. Organize your shops, truck and trailers just like the fire truck you think of. When everything has its place, it’s easy to train new people, it’s harder to “forget” or lose tools and equipment, and you know when it’s time to re-stock inventoried parts and materials. Every year, you lose hundreds of man hours working around poorly organized shops, trailers, and work areas. Solve these problems and you’ll not only save costs, but you’ll increase your opportunity for billable hours. Your company wins both ways. <br/>Implement these systems and you’ll find parts of your business start to run themselves. And systems development is an ongoing and continuous process. Solve some problems with systems, and others will creep up. But don’t be discouraged. That’s life as a business owner. The more systems you implement, the easier running your business will become. And believe it or not, your employees will find their work easier too. Systems result in clear responsibilities which leads to better planning, better communication, less mistakes and less frustration. And when you really start picking up momentum, systems lead to better wages for everyone. And that’s what we’re all in this for…. <br/><br/>“I’m always reluctant to delegate,” Dan says. “I constantly think no one else will be able to get the work done according to my high standards – or worse yet, I think the work won’t get done at all.” <br/><br/>Bill nods, “I get the fear of the unknown. But your fear is likely a self-fulfiling prophecy. Without systems, they won’t achieve to your standards – because they don’t know them. The only way to grow your business – and your own career for that matter – is by handing out higher levels of responsibility to your employees. After all, you need to start letting others help you work on your business too! <br/><br/>“Makes sense,” Dan notes, “But how do I make sure my employees take their responsibility seriously?” <br/><br/>“Once the systems are in place, you hold people accountable. All problems can likely be blamed on one of two things: no systems, or people who don’t follow systems. When you get your systems in place, then you only have people problems. Hold your people accountable to your systems. Good employees will thrive, bad employees will suffer, and you’ll know who your best assets are.” <br/><br/>Here’s another tip: hold regular meetings. Hold monthly meetings with your key employees to assess the state of the business. Are your jobs coming in on time/on budget? Are your sales on track to hit or beat your goals? Hold everyone accountable for systems that are falling off. Ask your foremen to evaluate their crew’s performance – which systems and processes are working for your guys? Which need to be changed? <br/><br/>As long as everything depends on you to run successfully, it’s extremely difficult to grow a (profitable) business. Systems for your business give your people clear responsibilities, and the information needed to carry them out successfully. And while your field crews increase their productivity, you can focus more on growing and/or improving your company.</p><p> </p><p><em>*Danscaping is a fictional company</em></p><p><br/><br/>Mark Bradley is the president of The Beach Gardener and the Landscape Management Network. The Landscape Management Network is collection of systems built for green industry contractors, from budgeting and estimating, to hiring and training, to job planning, accounting/financial management and health and safety. For more information, check out the website at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com">www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com</a>.</p></div>Do Contractors need Designers?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/do-contractors-need-designers2011-03-12T14:30:00.000Z2011-03-12T14:30:00.000ZPaul Ridleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/PaulRidley<div><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">This is the title of a seminar to be delivered by Mark Gregory of Landform Consultants and the London College of Garden Design at Landscape, the industry trade show to be held at Olympia on13th and 14<sup>th</sup> April. It’s a question that caught my eye, as it addresses an issue that I feel is an unacknowledged elephant in the (exterior design) room, and given that it is eye-catching and that titles are copyright free, I have shamelessly pinched it. Sorry, Mark.</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">I have no idea where Mark’s discussion will lead, but the fact that he is so closely involved with both sides of the design/build coin suggests that he probably feels as I do: that the answer is as much a ‘yes’ as it would be if the question were reversed – do designers need contractors?</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314096730?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314096730?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">There is clearly a need for high quality workmanship when building gardens – the effects of the weather mean that a shoddy finish is quickly apparent as pointing degrades, frosted joints split and badly drained surfaces freeze into ice rinks. If garden structures are to have any longevity then there is no choice but that the build should be of the highest quality. No garden designer would quibble with that, or expect anything less from the contractor they appoint to put their ideas into action.</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314101994?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314101994?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p align="left">Perhaps as a garden designer I am being overly sensitive, but I think I detect, at times an, at best, indifferent attitude to design among some contractors – for some, I feel, the answer to the question could easily be ‘no’.</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">On various threads, in different forums, the unvoiced premise behind some comments might be summarised as ‘designers have never laid so much as a brick in their lives, what do they know about building a garden? It’s all about pretty plants and farting about with coloured pencils – I can do that for nothing!’ Well, coloured pencils may well be involved, but that doesn’t automatically render (that’s a design pun, by the way) the role of design null and void. </p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">Anybody – client, contractor, designer, passing-kid-on-a-bicycle – can walk into a garden and offer suggestions about the best place for a patio, which tree should come down and whether a pond is going to add anything to the space, but I would argue that for contractors to show their work at its best and for clients to achieve the best result for their space there has to be a degree of design input. There are obviously well-qualified contractors with a highly developed sense of design who can create beautiful gardens without recourse to a designer, as there are designers with a wide experience of hands-on construction – in each case it’s the knowledge and experience of both aspects that need to be fused to create something of worth. A jaundiced view of designers is no more constructive than the view of an architect, one of the tutors during my training, which was that contractors are essentially glorified navvies who will wilfully misunderstand a drawing if it’s at all possible. </p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314097189?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314097189?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p align="left">I’d argue that the relationship has to be symbiotic – I have been working with a trusted contractor over the past year or so, who appreciates the clarity that a designer brings to a project as much as I appreciate nuggets of advice when I suggest something that might be more practically realised by employing a different solution. In this way there develops a common approach, better designs are evolved and both aspects of the build are enhanced.</p><p align="left">If you are one of the lucky ones, a contractor with a highly developed design aesthetic or a designer who loves to mix cement, you will know all this instinctively – if, however, you are unsure of your abilities in either design or construction it makes sense to seek out others who can offer complementary skills. In a time of economic adversity, just as much as when times are good, it pays to offer the best.</p><p align="left">I can’t be at the seminar on 13<sup>th</sup> April, unfortunately. It’s at 2pm – if any of you go, let me know the answer!</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.paulridleydesign.co.uk/">Paul Ridley Design</a></p></div>Slash Waste, Boost Profits With Time Spent on Billable Workhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/slash-waste-boost-profits-with2011-03-04T14:16:07.000Z2011-03-04T14:16:07.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p><strong><em><span class="font-size-3">How highly successful companies replace time spent on waste with more time spent on billable work</span></em></strong><br/><br/>We all want to maximize our profit. The good news is that most contractors in the landscape industry actually have room to increase the profit line on their financial statements and, despite what many think, it’s not just about adding sales! The real ticket to boosting your profits lies in understanding- and –maximizing – your capacity. <br/><br/>If you invoiced your clients for every hour worked with a proper allowance factor for non-billable hours included in the billable rate and if all of the material, equipment, and subcontracting items were estimated properly on every project, then a gross capacity can be easily calculated for your company based on the total number of hours your company has available to bill its clients each year. Once you understand how to calculate your gross capacity, you’ll see the important role “waste elimination” plays in improving your numbers. Extra crews and more sales may increase your capacity, but it’s going to cost you at the same time. Waste elimination not only saves you money, but it earns you more money in the process. <br/><br/>In other words, it’s not just what you add to the pot, it’s also what you take away that counts! Eliminating waste, inefficiencies and mistakes allows you to spend more time on the work that you can charge your customers for – the billable work. Every hour saved from mistakes or unproductive time is another hour you can use to get through billable work. <br/><br/><span class="font-size-4"><strong>The real costs of mistakes and unproductive waste:</strong></span></p><p>It has been my experience in working with hundreds of landscape contractors and dissecting their financial statements that the most common problem lies in efficiency. Most companies I have worked with are astonished to realize they are operating at 50 – 70% of their actual capacity. The unused capacity comes in many forms but ultimately it is waste. To reach your full gross capacity, you need to rid your company of inefficiencies. Unfortunately, waste can be difficult to detect upfront. It takes some work on your part, and some serious critical thinking to identify and eliminate waste. To help you get started, here are 9 different types of waste to look for: <br/><br/>1. Overproduction – Taking unneeded steps while producing the work and using the wrong equipment for the job. Examples include over-excavating areas, or spending too much time chipping or ‘crafting’ stonework. <br/><br/>2. Waiting – Waiting for information, decisions, specifications, material, specialized skills, subcontractors, or equipment. <br/><br/>3. Unnecessary Transportation – Moving equipment, people, and materials more than required as a result of poor planning. <br/><br/>4. Excess Inventory – Wasted inventory that doesn’t get used; bringing too much material to site resulting in loading, unloading, re-loading, and re-unloading. <br/><br/>5. Unnecessary Movement – Results from poor work area design – wasted motion field workers need to make to reach material or equipment during production. <br/><br/>6. Defective Work – Any work that needs to be re-done as a result of defects or changes in scope. <br/><br/>7. Extra Processing – Unused paperwork + reports, relying on post-work inspections instead of proper procedures, unnecessary, inefficient processes. <br/><br/>8. Unused Employee Creativity -Losing time, ideas, skills, or improvement ideas by not engaging or listening to employees. <br/><br/>9. Saying ‘No’ – Resisting change, ignoring waste, and not empowering workers to improve their work processes + procedures. <br/><br/>Eliminating these types of waste will help you reach your full capacity by turning inefficiency into profit. To help get you started, take a look at your workplace and, bearing in mind the 9 types of waste I just discussed, consider the different behaviors and practices that contribute to waste in your own company. <br/><br/><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Eliminating mistakes and rework: the lean landscaping production system</strong></span></p><p><br/>A Lean Landscaping Production system is a waste reduction and continuous improvement system that will provide systems and processes to help landscape companies produce high quality services with an outstanding level of safety at a competitive price, while realizing exceptionally high profits and an increased work-life balance for the employees who follow the systems. We have followed these principles in our own landscape company for almost ten years and have consistently improved profits and employee compensation packages while working less year after year. At the heart of lean landscaping lies your people and your efforts for continuous improvement. By focusing on these key areas of your business, positive change begins to take place rapidly. <br/><br/><span class="font-size-3"><strong>People</strong></span></p><p> <br/>A well-planned hiring and recruiting system coupled with good training will help you find, hire and develop an empowered and capable workforce. The most important thing to remember here is TRAINING and INCENTIVE. If you want to see meaningful change – you need to get everyone understanding why the change has to happen and how it will benefit them. People don’t resist change – nobody resists change when it’s a raise or promotion. People resist change when they can’t see their benefit. You should have a plan, a system, and training in place to communicate the benefits. <br/><br/><br/><br/><strong><span class="font-size-3">Continuous Improvement</span></strong></p><p>Continuous improvement allows your company to reach full capacity. A landscape company that operates at full capacity is capable of compensating its employees much better than the current standard in the industry. People enjoy working in professional, well-organized organizations that have systems and processes to make work easier and more predictable. Organizations with systems and processes actually allow people a lot more freedom because the systems run the operation rather than a “micro-manager.” Employees are empowered to make good decisions based on the fact that they have a framework to follow and a repeatable system to use when attempting to complete their duties. <br/><br/><br/><br/><strong><span class="font-size-4">Lean Landscaping System Principles</span></strong></p><p>Lean Landscaping is founded on the following principles which will govern the way your company makes future decisions: <br/><br/>1. Long Term Decision Making – all of your decisions need to be based on long term improvements, even at the expense of the short term gains that could be made using easier or less expensive solutions. <br/><br/>2. Create Continuous Flow in every Process –systems and processes used in your operation need to be linked together to allow your team to communicate and eliminate the waste in the overall system. Estimates are linked to budgets. Job planners (crew goals) are linked to estimates. Job costing and accounting3. Material Management System – By using a proven material management system, field personnel can manage their material requirements more accurately which is often a major source of waste and a flow inhibitor. <br/><br/>4. Level Out the Work – By estimating and scheduling work using a proven system, a company can ensure that all of the work is being completed efficiently since it is much easier to manage the production needs. <br/><br/>5. Get it Right the First Time – By building a culture of stopping to fix problems as they occur and completing work properly the first time a company natural eliminates a great deal of waste that occurs in re-work. <br/><br/>6. Standardized Work –Creating standard operating procedures (SOP’s) will increase quality and speed simply because your employees can make independent decisions and complete their tasks with confidence. <br/><br/>7.Use Visual Aids – Adding signs and labels in your facilities and organizing tools and equipment on the projects with visual aids will eliminate a great deal of confusion and waste. <br/><br/>8. Embrace Technology – Using proven technologies to improve communications and obtain maximum efficiencies in all systems and processes. <br/><br/>9. Develop Exceptional Leaders – Hire and train the right individuals to supervise your people, implement the systems and build your culture. <br/><br/>10. Become a Learning Organization – By implementing the continuous improvement system and creating a culture of waste elimination your team will crave training and education to improve themselves and the company. <br/><br/><br/><br/><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Out with the waste, in with the profit</strong></span></p><p><br/>Waste doesn’t just cost money. In fact, the cost of wasted time, equipment, and materials isn’t even the biggest cost. The biggest problem with waste is that it robs you of billable opportunity. Every hour that is not spent going back to past jobs and fixing errors and every hour that is saved by following more efficient systems is an hour added to potential billable work.Focus on improving your team and operations with proper waste elimination training and free up more time for billable work. At the end of the day, billable work generates the maximum amount of revenue, benefiting company profit and producing a higher cash advantage for wages. <br/><br/>While all this may seem like a large undertaking, I can honestly say that it can be fun and it is very fulfilling. This is something that has no beginning and end. It’s something that will be with you and your company throughout your career. It’s a way of doing business. I can assure you that as a business owner if you are looking to make improvements in your work life balance, while increasing your profits and company performance, this is the solution. <br/><br/>Mark Bradley is president of <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.tbglandscape.com">The Beach Gardener</a> and the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com">Landscape Management Network</a>. To learn more about waste elimination and understanding your capacity, check out the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.lmnblog.com">LMN blog</a>. </p></div>Quotes for driveways and resin surfacing www.resinsurfacingquotes.co.ukhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/quotes-for-driveways-and-resin2011-01-24T09:28:17.000Z2011-01-24T09:28:17.000ZPeak surfacing ltd.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Peaksurfacingltd<div><p>A quotation website specifically for resin surfacing,resin bonded aggregates and resin bound gravels.</p><p>Enabling customers to get a quote from a local contractor,enabling customers to see more examples of work without travelling to far,quotaions at more competitive prices because of savings in time and fuel.</p><p>Contractors benefit because of cost savings,and more quotes in your area.</p><p>if you would like to register FREE as a custommerfor a quote ,or as a contractor visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.resinsurfacingquotes.co.uk">www.resinsurfacingquotes.co.uk</a></p></div>How to mark, cut and install curved patio paving slabshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-mark-cut-and-install2010-04-03T10:00:00.000Z2010-04-03T10:00:00.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div>Having spent my life working under the elements designing and creating landscapes with in the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. Its dawned on me that I've been asked absolutely thousands of questions by thousands of people.<p style="text-align: left;"><img width="482" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314162174?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt=""/></p>The latter was in the branch of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://http://www.travisperkins.co.uk/contact/branches/detail.asp?CostCentre=9274" target="_blank">Travis Perkins, Teignmouth, Devon.</a>Martin Davies, the branch manager, was sat at his desk with a customer which is nothing out of the ordinary, he greets me with his eyes as I place the order for my next delivery of hard landscaping material, delivered the next day. I should say at this point the service is excellent (if your reading this Martin my words are not an invitation to sit back and creep my prices up sir), I'm blurbing again!Both Martin and his customer look over and and ask where to purchase stone for walling, Come on lads give me a little more info, "Whats the purpose and what finish is required" I ask.They finally feed me with the information required to answer correctly, based on their landscape requirements and aesthetics.Having given three types of stone as advise, my third recommendation is a high end quality slate, quarried from the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://images.travelpod.com/users/jillsy/ireland_2007.1169119200.dsc02701x1x.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/jillsy/ireland_2007/1169119200/dsc02701x1x.jpg/tpod.html&usg=__A4G_N_exUHiJq42F2FdG3wCcFrE=&h=412&w=550&sz=34&hl=en&start=20&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=n0Nimj0iy68KVM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsouth%2Bwest%2Bireland%2Bvalentia%2Bisland%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4GGIE_enGB338GB271%26tbs%3Disch:1" target="_blank">South West of Ireland</a> called <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://http://www.valentiaslate.com/" target="_blank">Valentia Island Slate</a></b>, in a word stunning. So, having answered them both with my personal views on the subject, the customer then replied, "Your a real garden nerd".What does he mean?So it's official , I'm a nerd, which brings me swiftly to my next piece of nerdiness, all these questions that Ive been asked has got me thinking, what has been the most frequently question asked? Answer: "How do you cut your paving slabs / flags so perfectly in a curve?"Again, this one particular question has me thinking again, How do I help people from asking me this question time and time again.I know, I'll show you with images and indepth explainations in my next two blogs.</div>The Precast Concrete Paving and Kerb Associationhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-precast-concrete-paving2010-03-05T13:30:57.000Z2010-03-05T13:30:57.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314157968?profile=original" alt="" style="float: right;" />The <a href="http://www.paving.org.uk/" target="_blank">Interpave website</a> is the information portal for the The Precast Concrete Paving and Kerb Association. Its aim is to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on all aspects of paving for anyone involved in the hard landscaping and civil construction industry. The website is organised to help find the right type and level of detail of paving information for particular needs. There is a domestic paving section for home owners and contractors, concentrating on drives, patios, paths and other paving around the home. The <a href="http://www.paving.org.uk/topical_issues.php" target="_blank">Topical Issues</a> section will be of interest to a particularly wide variety of professional disciplines, offering guidance in downloadable brochure form on paving issues of immediate relevance. You will need to register to access some features.
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