Masonry Magazine October 2010 Page. 21
TROW & HOLDEN MASONRY SET
CARBIDE MASONRY SET
$219
A home featuring a walkway of permeable pavers pavement also makes it relatively easy to maintain underground utilities. It avoids an unsightly patch that will be there until the entire job is repaved. Best of all, your customer isn't the only one who gets something out of expanding your business. If you do it right, you'll get a healthy addition to your bottom line.
If you're like most, you work with architects and general contractors. As a company that offers paver installation, you can go back to your same Rolodex with a new line that earns you a good profit margin. At the same time, you can reach out to landscaping companies that are now facing an increasing demand for hardscaping.
The Brick Industry Association says that demand is backed up by a recent uptick in the percentages of pavers shipped, from 2.4 percent of all brick products in 2007 to 3.1 percent in 2008, which were the last two years for which figures were available.
What's the best way to get started? Get some simple, basic training, and keep a simple mission statement in mind: This has to make money.
Too many contractors fall into the trap of having a cash flow focus instead of a profit focus. To earn a profit, you have to figure how to perform a service efficiently and understand how much it is costing you. Doing such things as projecting costs and considering how much of a need there is in your area - the kinds of competition you are facing, etc. - will enhance your chances for success. If you can't build a business case to go into segmental paving, then don't.
Unlike many considering embarking on a new business, chances are, you're not a rookie. You already have a competitive advantage with your brick experience. You may already have done this kind of thing before in your business planning. You probably know more about your town than does a novice. And you probably already have some of the skills and even some of the equipment to expand into segmental paving, like a skid steer to dig out and level, spread aggregates and sand as well as to stage pavers at the laying edge, a brick wet saw for cutting curves and borders. We www.masonrymagazine.com
A great value and includes a Trow & Holden t-shirt!
Our new Carbide Masonry Set includes three of our most versatile stoneworking tools.
SUNE
100'S
• The carbide-tipped Stone Buster, our newest hammer, gives you a splitting tool and a striking hammer in one tool. Comes with a 16" wood handle or substitute a fiberglass handle for an additional $12.
The 2" carbide-tipped blade Mason's Chipper is perfect for light trimming or squaring stone. The steeply angled blade and beveled carbide tip make it easier to see your work.
The 1" stock carbide-tipped Hand Point will be the workhorse of your tool set. Use it to rough out and remove high spots, which will help extend the life of your wider-blade carbide tools.
MADE TO LAST IN BARRE, VERMONT
TROW & HOLDEN COMPANY
FINE STONEWORKING TOOLS
45 South Main Street Barre Vermont 05641
Toll-Free 1-800-451-4349 In Vermont call 476-7221
Call for a free catalog or visit: www.trowandholden.com
READER SERVICE #167
Kennison
FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
The Solid Choice for
Scaffold Plante
Services Available:
Rod-Clip-Brand
End Painting
Precision End Trimming
Paper Wrapping
• Meets OSHA/ANSI Standards
Smooth and Rough Surfaces
Call today for delivered prices to your area on partial or full loads!
MCAA
SIA
Dense Industrial 65 Solid
Sawn Scaffold Plank
Sizes available:
2x10 2x12"
Length: 4'-20
Z-Plank Laminated
Scaffold Plank
Call Our Sales Team!
1-888-697-5585
Fax: 337-527-0412
Bob Edens Jared Kennison
Sales, ext. 17
Sales, ext. 15
Joe Kennison
Sales, ext. 14
www.kennisonforest.com
READER SERVICE #144
October 2010
MASONRY 19