Starting a landscape business can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. With so many types of machines available, it can be challenging to decide what to invest in first. In a recent episode of Kid Contractor Podcast, three landscape business owners discussed what they believed was the best first machine to buy.

Owner 1 suggested a mini skid steer, which was met with agreement from Owner 2. As they both worked in the softscape world, they found a mini skid steer to be ideal for moving materials around. Owner 3 had a different opinion, recommending a dump truck or dump trailer as the first machine to invest in.

The exchange between the three landscape business owners sheds light on the importance of considering what type of landscaping work you will be doing before investing in equipment. For those in the softscape world, a mini skid steer may be the best option, while those in the hardscape world may prefer a mini excavator. However, investing in a...

In the world of landscaping, there are two main branches of work – commercial and residential. While both have their unique challenges and benefits, they can often require different approaches and skills. In this blog post, we will explore the joys and pains of commercial work, as discussed with our guest Chad during episode #321 of Kid Contractor podcast.

Commercial work refers to landscaping projects that are undertaken for businesses or public spaces, such as parks, schools, and government buildings. Residential work, on the other hand, is landscaping for private homes. While some landscaping companies specialize in one or the other, many offer both services. It all comes down to the preferences of the business owner and the type of clients they want to work with.

One landscaper, who was interviewed on the Kid Contractor podcast, shared his experience of moving from primarily residential to commercial work. The landscaper explained that he was drawn to...

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor podcast, hosts Caleb sat down with two entrepreneurs, Alex and Jacob of the Turf Wars Podcast, to discuss what motivates them in their businesses. In particular, Caleb asked Jacob what gives him hope and gets him fired up. Jacob talked about how his faith gives him hope and motivates him to be a good steward of his business, rather than just chasing big contracts and flashy equipment. Meanwhile, Alex discussed how building something with his name on it, and doing things honestly, motivates him to be a good role model for his daughter and ensure that his business can survive even if something were to happen to him.

This conversation highlights an important aspect of entrepreneurship that is often overlooked: the importance of staying true to one's values and building a business that is sustainable in the long run. It can be tempting to chase after big contracts or flashy equipment, but if this is done at the expense of one's integrity or...

As the world becomes more focused on sustainability and preserving the environment, the need for qualified professionals in the arboriculture industry has never been greater. However, the lack of basic pruning knowledge and other arboriculture skills is becoming increasingly apparent in the modern landscape contracting industry.

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor podcast, guest Austin Douglas of Ditch The Itch, suggested becoming a certified arborist through the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) to improve the quality of tree care in the industry. Although it is not necessary to be a member of the ISA to become a certified arborist, joining the organization can offer many benefits, including discounts on materials and exams.

Moreover, being a member of the ISA means being part of a global organization dedicated to improving the arboriculture industry and urban forestry. The ISA not only focuses on how to better install patios and roads while preserving trees but...

Owning a successful landscaping business takes more than just having skilled workers and a strong work ethic. In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor podcast, Auman Landscape owner Brittany mentioned two factors that have helped her and her husband Caleb’s 7-figure landscaping company thrive: customer reviews and selective client screening.

Brittany shares how she has recently started asking their clients to leave reviews on Google, and the positive feedback Auman landscape is already increasing. Customers mention how Auman employees treat their property like their own, don't leave any trash behind, and quickly address any issues that arise during the project.

But Brittany mentions the success of the business also relies on an owners ability to select the right clients. While she can't guarantee that every client will be easy to work with, Brittany has a keen sense for picking up on red flags during the initial consultation. Whether it's the way they interact...

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb interviewed Aaron Witt, the founder of BuildWitt, a media company focused on the heavy civil and mining industries. Witt shared his story of how he got into the industry and how he built his company from scratch. 

Growing up in a white-collar family, Aaron had no exposure to the blue-collar world of construction and heavy equipment. But he always had a fascination with bulldozers and other equipment that moved dirt. So at 18 years old, he cold-called the owner of a construction company in his neighborhood and asked for a job. He started right out of high school, not knowing what he was doing, but he fell in love with the industry and knew it was where he wanted to be.

Aaron went on to get an engineering degree and worked for five different heavy civil contractors while in college. After graduating, he went into road building with the goal of owning his own construction company. Then eventually, Aaron started...

Brett is the owner of Eikenbary Landscape. His journey to entrepreneurship is one that is familiar to many. The desire to pursue one's passion, to find fulfillment in one's work, and to make a difference in the world are all powerful motivators that can drive people to take risks and pursue their dreams.

Brett had been working at a good company, with a steady job and good benefits, but he wasn't getting fulfilled. He had always been passionate about lawn and landscape, and slowly started to learn more about hardscapes as well. After discussing it with his wife Chase, they finally decided to take the leap and start their own business. The decision to start a business is never an easy one. It requires careful planning, a solid strategy, and a lot of hard work. Brett and Chase knew that if they were going to do it, they wanted to do it right. They spent a lot of time thinking about the branding and vision of their business, and when they finally set a launch date, they went...

As a business owner, finding the right type of vehicle to meet your needs can be a challenge. You want something that is functional, organized, and can handle the demands of your job. One option often considered is a service body truck. These trucks are designed to provide ample storage space for tools and equipment, making them a popular choice for those in the trades. But is a service body truck right for your business?

On a recent episode of The Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb talked with guest Jeremiah Jennings about his own experience with a service body truck. He acknowledged that service body trucks may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but they make up for it in functionality. The built-in toolboxes and compartments provide ample storage space for all of your equipment, making it easy to stay organized and efficient on the job.

However, he also pointed out that a service body truck may not be the best choice for every business. Depending on your needs, a...

During a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, guest Dan Wheeler shared his experience in the fence industry and discusses the revolutionary technique that is changing the industry - the driving post technique.

Dan shares how his company, River City Fence, had their best year yet due to their increased efficiency and optimization. He attributes this success to learning from other experts in the field, including those on social media, and implementing their techniques. One of the techniques that has made a significant impact on their business is the driving post technique.

Dan explains that in areas where concrete frosting heave is an issue, such as up north, driving posts has been a proven and reliable technique for over 65 years. However, it was not widely known until recently when a fence company manager started sharing their techniques on social media. The driving post technique involves driving a post anywhere from 5-20 feet into the ground using a core...

Landscaping might seem like a harmless job, but accidents can happen at any time. Whether it's a small injury or a major incident, it's important to be prepared for any situation. This is why having the proper safety equipment is crucial. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of safety equipment in landscaping based on a true story shared by landscaping professional, John Pajak on Kid Contractor Podcast episode #312.

In 2016, John had a brand new lawnmower with a Kohler engine. While doing leaf cleanup, leaves started piling up on top of the horizontally mounted muffler. This led to a fire breaking out, but fortunately, John had recently purchased new fire extinguishers and was able to put out the fire before it caused any serious damage. John realized the importance of having the right safety equipment readily available and easily accessible.

This incident is just one example of the need for lawn care professionals to have basic safety equipment such as...