Professional landscapers give you tips on what not to do in your yard. Learn how to get your water, soil, and other conditions just right for a successful garden!
By: Sam Barrett - December 2008 -
NewsHome builders from across the nation gather at the 2009 International Builders’ Show to learn more about home building trends and technology, like green building.
3D sketching software makes do-it-yourself CAD concepts easier than ever.
Business slows down in the winter for most landscaping businesses. Use these tips from professionals to help keep your business afloat.
As spring approaches, now is a good time to ramp up your sales efforts. Here are some ideas to help build your client base.
The summer months mean busy season. How do you efficiently hire and train the best temporary workers you can—all while keeping your equipment and operations safe, efficient and within legal bounds?
Knowing the difference between toxic and non-toxic plants can help you make your clients’ garden both pet-friendly, and beautiful
Your customers want to go ‘green’ with building projects that help the environment and save costs. But upfront expenses can be significant. Here's how to justify the investment.
Going ‘green’ is admirable, but comes with a pricetag. How to evaluate costs of environmentally sound practices and services so your efforts don’t sink your bottom line.
Green landscaping might just be the next wave in gardening and that is why savvy landscapers are getting smart about organics, the environment, and going herbicide- and pesticide-free.
Accent lighting options range from downlighting a pathway to uplighting a home. But knowing how and when to use this lighting technique is key.
Learn how to survive an economic downturn. Broaden your business and work strategically to better serve your customers.
The current recession has forced business owners to re-evaluate their pricing structure with respect to job estimates and supply expenses. Guidance from experts can provide a blueprint as to how to improve margins.
Landscape ornaments – including statuary, decorative pots and sculpture – can give your garden designs added punch. Lowe’s For Pros shows you what to look for, in both traditional materials and new fiberglass and composite options.
Social media has changed the way companies advertise. Now more than ever, small businesses can promote themselves online by targeting customers and expanding their networks, often for little or no cost.
As a small business owner, it can be easy to get lost in work when trying to ensure the stability of your business. But having a proper work–life balance can be vital to not only your health, but the overall health of your company.
Expand your business through existing clients rather than find new ones on your own. Turn your customers into advocates now.
The immigration debate has raged in the United States for some years now. Here’s the latest on the issue and how it could affect your business.
There currently are 40,000 job boards on the Internet, with more to come. Here is advice about how to put them to work for you in your searches for qualified construction and building trade candidates.
For independent landscapers, keeping power tools and other equipment in tip-top shape isn't just good practice, it delivers bottom-line rewards.
Cash flow has been called the lifeblood of business, so follow these tips to keep on the positive side and eventually increase it. Landscaping contractors can keep a steady cash flow by utilizing credit, discounts and contracts, and by planning for the future.
What marketing techniques can you use to make the most professional portfolio you can? Should you go online? Are images enough, or should you include elevation drawings and plans, too?
A landscaping contractor can boost revenues and help the environment when installing a landscape design that attracts wildlife. Here are some tips to plant selection for your region and structuring to help sustain life in your customers’ yards.
By: LowesForPros Staff - August 2009 -
NewsThe latest news, advice and information from building construction and managment professionals across the United States.
Reduce the chances of an audit by avoiding these typical audit-triggering tax moves.
Make sure visitors to work sites follow safety procedures. Accidents can result in expensive lawsuits for personal injury caused by negligence.
Creating a partnership requires blending philosophies, dividing duties and turning cooperation between friends or family into a successful business. Follow these guidelines to avoid problems in the future.
There are many considerations when devising your marketing strategy. It’s easy to make a mistake and head down the wrong path, but it’s never too late to rebound from a failing marketing strategy.
From planting vegetation too close to buildings to using invasive plant species, there are many pitfalls that a landscape designer can encounter. Brush up so you don’t make mistakes before being thrown into the frenzy of busy season again.
Lithium ion and nickel cadmium batteries have become more commonplace for performing residential and commercial jobs. Here’s a primer on selecting the best option for your applications.
Intern and mentoring programs can help a contractor’s business while giving back to the communityc
You might not think of the landscape profession as one requiring a great deal of innovation, but it does. Stand out from your competition, strengthen relationships with clients work faster and build your brand with these tips from industry innovators.
A home-inspection service can supplement income and provide synergy with a construction company’s main line of work.
The outdoor living trend continues, but it isn’t just for large, expansive backyards anymore. Landscape contractors and designers should know how to use these elements to create dynamic gardens in small spaces.
Reduce your tax bill by making wise deductions.
If your contracting shop is ready to take on major construction-industry projects or those for state/local/federal customers, a performance bond is essential. Getting one requires extensive review of your financial grounding and experience.
Your business can benefit greatly from Internet search engine optimization (SEO). It can boost your presence Web presence by marketing to those who are searching for services similar to the ones you provide.
Getting an Irrigation Certification can enhance your landscaping business and keep you up-to-date on water management techniques. With the variety of associations that offer certification, such as the IA and the CLCA, the decision to get certified makes sound business sense.
A brand is a major differentiator among small business owners in the same industry—it's a way consumers and even competitors identify a business. But creating a solid brand strategy is no easy feat. In part one of a three part series, learn how you can brand your business for success.
After launching your brand, it’s critical for you to differentiate your business from the wealth of competition. Experts weigh in on how to distinguish your core marketing message to ensure an immediate bond with potential customers.
Launching a great brand will fuel a winning success strategy. But you need employees to understand, accept and then effectively promote your vision for the gameplan to work.
With the help of Sed de Saber-Construction Edition, your Spanish-speaking workers are empowered to learn English in just four months.
A contractor’s built-in web of association, subcontractor and supplier contacts can be expanded and leveraged to gain referrals that will bring in more business.
Think of a company Intranet as a 21st Century bulletin board, one that can maximize efficiency, increase workflow and unify employee communications. By launching one, you’ll see immediate return on investment, experts say.
Here are a few tips that can help you get better results from your e-mail communications.
Hiring employees who may be called to active military duty is a service to our nation. But contract-shop owners need to be aware of laws that protect these workers’ job rights.
Online networking is a great tool to find new customers, establish a brand for your business and even recruit new employees and subcontractors.
By: LowesForPros - June 2009 -
News
From CAD to niche-specific, today’s design software selections for contractors offer a wide range to choose from.
Learn How to Create a Business Competition Plan at LOWE'S for Pros. Get a corporate advantage for your company.
