Masonry Magazine December 2017 Page. 87
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Buy an existing business
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Merge or partner with one
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Purchase a client list of one going out of business (perhaps for health or personal reasons)
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Consider a franchise
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Start small on your own
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Among the bonuses for a stone ma�son to add landscaping are already:
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having a business license � owning vehicles
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being used to working outside
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understanding land contour and
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erosion concerns
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having a reputation and business name recognition
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knowing customers and potential customers
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using a bookkeeping system or
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service � owning a website domain and/or Facebook presence
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having cell phone(s)
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possessing basic hand tools and tool boxes
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planning for and managing a seasonal business
Many of the serious financial ques�tions of potential success can be answered in crafting a simple business plan. Here is where projected start-up costs are listed for new or used tools and equipment, employee wages, best case and worst case revenue scenarios and regular expenses. One way to measure potential and gather information is simply by talking to peers, friends, neighbors and custom�ers about the value of your potential expansion. Browse through yelp.com, angieslist.com and homeadvisor.com for positive and negative reviews of landscape companies to get a feel for what the public likes and does not like, where others excel and where some fall short.
It is not practical or particularly necessary to go to college when there are so many books, websites, online classes and landscaping certification programs available. The National Association of Landscape Profession�als [www.landscapeprofessionals. org] offers an array of classes which teach and test both head knowledge and practical skills. In addition, the organization offers a 10-hour OSHA course and safety certifications. Master Gardener and Master Natural�ist programs are offered through many state extension cooperatives or universities. Community colleges and local garden clubs can be a wealth of information and contacts.
environmental flairs
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water features
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boardwalks � outdoor pizza ovens
At Premium Construction -Stone Ma�sonry, Concrete and Landscape, just southwest of the Forth Worth-Dallas cosmopolitan area, they include tree work. "As part of our landscaping ser�vices, which include mowing, edging and sodding, we take great care to look after your trees. Our tree pruning professionals will keep your trees in
SEEING THAT LANDSCAPERS DO NOT HANDLE MASONRY WORK MAY BODE WELL FOR A STONE MASON FIRM LOOKING TO EXPAND INTO SOME FACET OF LANDSCAPE SERVICES.
Landscape design software packages are affordable in the $19.99 to $99.99 range. According to www.topten�reviews.com, the best landscaping software according to their param�eters is Realtime Landscaping Plus at $79. 99. Aaron McCarter, the website's landscape software reviewer writes:
Realtime Landscaping Plus was a pleasure to use. It was so intuitive that it felt more like a video game. I was also impressed by its custom�ization tools that were. much better than other programs. I could create any landscape that I wanted.
Like Back to Nature Landscaping & Construction's plan to offer irrigation packages next year, an expansion program might include less common value-added landscape services, like:
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irrigation and sprinkler systems
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specialized pest control
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lightscaping
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snow removal
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fencing
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rain barrels, hanging chains,
excellent shape, while keeping them out of the way of power lines, roofs, gutters and away from any place they could pose a danger. We will also come out to remove tree branches after a storm to keep you and your family safe." [www.stonesetting contractorarlingtontx.com]
Other places like Nagel Sod and Nursery have a retail shop which is sought out not only for its plants, but also for gifts and garden accents, wrought iron, memorial benches and statues. Being located a stone's throw from Cabela's flagship store in Owatonna, Minn., is a sweet bonus, but competition is tough. "Years ago, our nursery dealers did not sell to Wal-Mart, Lowe's or Home Depot. Now that they do, it's very hard to compete on the retail side of busi�ness," Volkmann relates.
Advertising your new landscape divi�sion is akin to promoting any business with social media as the new kid on the block and newspapers, regional or local magazines, television and radio still out there. And there are other ways that may not have as large a price tag over the long haul.
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