In this episode, Alex talks to Justin Tal from Creative Design Maintenance who shares his approach to building a thriving hardscaping business by combining top-tier design with smart sales strategies. From qualifying leads efficiently to incorporating financing options that boost project value, Justin walks us through the key tactics that have helped him stand out in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

• Qualifying Leads with Precision: Charged consultations and price ranges help Justin filter out unqualified leads early.

• Leveraging Financing for Upselling: Financing enables clients to expand their projects, boosting overall project value by 10-20%.
• Customer Service as a Differentiator: Justin’s exceptional customer service, including daily updates, builds trust and keeps clients engaged.

• Whether you're looking to enhance your design offerings or improve customer service, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

  
  

  New episodes every Tuesday! Got a topic you want us to cover? DM us @hardscaper_ or email [email protected].

  
  

  Follow & Subscribe:📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠📺 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@hardscaper⁠🌐 Website:⁠ https://hardscaper.com/⁠

  
  

  Missed last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Watch on-demand for expert insights on pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens & more! → Head over to our ⁠On-Demand Section⁠ to check it out for free!

In this live episode of the Hardscape Growth podcast, host Alex from Techo-Bloc chats with Cesar Vargas of C Vargas Construction about the strategy behind running a high-end, customer-centric hardscape business. From building a strong office team to maintaining a tight-knit crew, Cesar shares the key decisions that helped him grow without losing quality or connection.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why prioritizing office support early creates a better customer experience
• How consistent communication sets you apart from competitors
• The power of CRM tools to streamline scheduling, estimating, and client updates
• How culture, monthly meetings, and goal-setting drive long-term team loyalty
• Why a positive attitude and willingness to learn opens doors to new opportunities

New episodes every Tuesday! Got a topic you want us to cover? DM us @hardscaper_ or email [email protected].

Follow & Subscribe:
📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hardscaper
🌐 Website: https://hardscaper.com/

Missed last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Watch on-demand for expert insights on pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens & more! → Head over to our On-Demand Section to check it out for free!

Most contractors want to grow, but scaling the right way is the real challenge. Rob Kurtz from Solid Rock Landscaping joins Alex from Techo-Bloc to break down how he built a strong team, tackled hiring challenges, and created record-breaking sales—all while staying true to his company values.

Why it matters:

Smart Growth – How word-of-mouth led to bigger projects and higher profits
Hiring Right – Finding skilled labor and building a loyal team
Sustainable Success – Why pricing what you're worth is key to scaling

Success isn’t just about more leads—it’s about making smart business moves that set you up for the future. Learn how Rob is positioning his company for long-term success.

🎧 We drop new episodes every Tuesday! Follow us on Instagram & Facebook to stay updated. Have a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? DM us @hardscaper_ or email us at [email protected].

Follow us on:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/
:tv: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w
:globe_with_meridians: Website: https://hardscaper.com/

🚀 Missed this year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it on demand for expert insights on pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens, and design! Watch now: https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-hardscaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/

Most contractors agree job costing is important, but how many actually do it? Wes from Synked Up joins Alex from Techo-Bloc to break down how tracking past projects helps refine estimates, boost efficiency, and maximize profits.

Why it matters:

Better Estimates – No more underbidding. Learn from past jobs.

Higher Profits – Contractors who job cost properly earn 10% more.

Stronger Teams – Your crew has the best insights on efficiency.

Smarter Investments – Identify the right tools & training to improve productivity.

Top contractors analyze their projects—just like championship teams review game footage. Learn how job costing can take your business to the next level.

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on:Instagram:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠Youtube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠

Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss this year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!

Tigran Gertz, founder and CEO of Applewood Landscaping, shares his journey of scaling from small jobs to multi-million-dollar projects. He discusses how creating authentic content, building a strong team, and embracing mentorship accelerated his success.

He reveals how authentic content, smart delegation, and mentorship transformed his approach to business.

• Embrace the cringe: Your first videos are the stepping stones to success.
• Hit record and post: Overcome self-doubt and keep creating.
• Delegate like a boss: Build a team that scales your vision.
• Turn setbacks into milestones: Let every mistake fuel your growth.
• Invest in mentorship: Learn from those who’ve paved the way.
• Scale through people: Your team is your most valuable asset.

Listen to this week's pod to learn more about these transformative strategies. Figure out what stage you're in and discover how to level up your business!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper

Follow us on:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠
Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to our On-Demand Section to check it out for free!

On this episode of Hardscaper Growth, Alex sits down with Micah Miller from Easton Outdoors to talk about a game-changing approach to sales and marketing in the hardscaping industry. Micah shares how he’s structured his business to attract the right clients—those who are ready to buy—by leveraging pricing transparency, automation, and content-driven marketing.

• Why most contractors don’t want to talk to clients (and how to make sales easier).
• The 5-step process to get clients to pre-qualify themselves before they even call.
• How pricing transparency, calculators, and automated tools turn leads into paying customers.
• Why your website (not paid ads) is the most important investment for long-term success.
• How Google’s algorithm shift means reviews & local SEO matter more than ever.

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM onInstagram @hardscaper

Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠
Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to ourOn-Demand Section to check it out for free!

They dive into:If you’re tired of wasting time on bad leads and want to streamline your sales process while closing bigger deals, this episode is a must-listen!Listen on your favorite appApple PodcastsSpotify 

Are you leaving money on the table? In this episode of Hardscape Growth, Alex teams up with Wes from Synked Up to identify the primary factors that can erode your business's profits. They discuss strategies to transform a narrow 3% margin into a healthier 15–20%.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

Additionally, listeners are invited to book a free demo with Synked Up and to register for the upcoming Hardscaper Showcase event hosted by Wes. This episode provides actionable insights aimed at helping contractors safeguard and increase their profit margins, ensuring long-term business growth and success.

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠
Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!

In this episode of Hardscape Growth, Alex teams up with Wes from SynkedUp to uncover why speed and confidence are the ultimate tools for closing more sales in the hardscaping industry. They share actionable strategies and real-life stories to help contractors stop competing on price and start winning jobs with smarter processes.

This episode is packed with insights to help contractors streamline their quoting process, improve customer trust, and close more deals without lowering their prices. Don’t miss it!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠
Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!

In this episode of Hardscape Growth, Alex sits down with Simon from Weber MT to explore why soil compaction is the cornerstone of every successful hardscape project. They dive into the science behind compaction, the innovative tools Weber has developed to simplify the process, and actionable tips for contractors to ensure durable, long-lasting results.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

This episode is packed with practical insights to help contractors avoid costly mistakes, improve project efficiency, and deliver rock-solid results that stand the test of time. Don’t miss it!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠
Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss last year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to our On-Demand Section to check it out for free!

In this conversation, Alex and Mark discuss Mark's journey in building his interior residential renovation business and the importance of communication in their work. Mark specializes in kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovations, and he emphasizes the need for proactive communication with clients and subcontractors. He plans to hire a senior project manager to handle communication and focus on sales and marketing. Mark also mentions the importance of high-quality finishes and tradespeople, as well as the challenges of managing materials and estimating quantities accurately. The conversation covers the importance of following a consistent process in all projects, the use of templates for contracts and costing, the need for regular reviews and updates of templates, the trend of creating usable space in both interior and outdoor renovations, and the balance between personal health and business success. The main takeaway is the importance of building a strong team and delegating tasks to achieve business growth.

Check out the Hardscaper's Blueprint to Scaling with Online Marketing course referenced in this episode here.

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified! Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Subscribe, give us a star rating on Spotify and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hardscaper_/⁠
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pBaFd-bkJEjTTBbfvgv0w⁠
Website: ⁠https://hardscaper.com/

Did you miss this year’s Hardscaper Showcase? Stream it today on-demand wherever you are to learn all about pools, drainage, outdoor kitchens and design! Head over to [https://hardscaper.com/courses/2024-harsdcaper-showcase-on-demand-streaming/] to check it out for free!