Masonry Magazine June 2006 Page. 26
Hardscaping
Allen Civic Plaza, Dee Brown Inc.
MAST-CLIMBERS ROUGH-TERRAIN FORKLIFTS
VALCO
SCAFFOLD
HYDEK
KLIMER
NORTH CAROLINA
CHINA GROVE
BENNU
Safi
1.800.494.0496 VALCOSCAFFOLD.COM
CIRCLE 180 ON READER SERVICE CARD
What's Over Your Mixer?
Mix-N-Master
Volumetric Dispenser
Fast, Consistent and Precise - Everytime!
Are you keeping colors, textures and PSi strength consistent... meeting the new A.S. T. M. specifications?
-Safer and healthier way to mis mortar and prout
-Uniform high quality controlled PS1 and color consistency with every batch
Fastest, most efficient way to mix mortar and grout... in less than half the time
Incrases-masons productivity
Volumetic controlled mixing preferred by arhitects and engineers
Eliminans the need for water buckets and sand shovels
-Convertible hopper tip keeps aggregates free from elements
MCAA Show See the Mix-N-Master at the Hydek booth 12546 or call us.
For more information visit www.buddyequipment.com
Buddy
EQUIPMENT 888-823-8819
Proprietary water everyt
CIRCLE 184 ON READER SERVICE CARD
"Hardscaping is a natural fit for the rest of the masonry industry; the materials are the same."
"I would disagree that landscaping isn't worth your time," said Barnes, whose company ranges from 200 to 500 employees nationwide. "The projects we have been involved with have been profitable for our company."
In addition to completing hardscaping projects, Dee Brown has five crews that specialize in small projects ranging from $500 to $5,000, such as remodeling jobs, repair work and small tenant finish-outs. The small projects division nets roughly $1 million annually for the company.
Mackie Bounds, owner of Brazos Masonry Inc. in Waco, Texas, said larger companies are actually better equipped to venture into landscaping. His company grosses about $20 million annually, with 25 to 30 percent of its business coming from hardscaping.
"It's difficult for companies running 30 to 40 masons who are trained for one thing to get into this," Bounds said. "I believe it's easier for bigger companies to do this or for new companies who do nothing but this."
Hardscaping is a natural fit for masons, he said. "It's so closely related to the rest of the masonry industry," Bounds pointed out. "Ninety-nine percent of the materials are the same as in masonry."
Barnes and Bounds would like to see this area of their businesses grow, and they foresee a lot of potential. Currently, less than 10 percent of Dee Brown's business comes from landscaping projects.
"The market is there; we just need to pursue it with more diligence," he said. "Because of the environmental requirements placed on the owner today, I feel that there is a greater need for the landscape and hardscape work to complete their projects."
Hardscaping holds "tremendous opportunities" for masons, Bounds said.
"I believe it will be as big a part of our work, [much like flashing and waterproofing]. It will become more of an integral part of our work," he said. "You can increase value without making a big investment. If I were going to expand my business with the resources we have, it's a no-brainer."
Glenn Gosnell, a consultant for Las Vegas-based Paver Search Inc., a paver website portal, also sees great growth potential for masons in paving. "If the economy stays constant, there's still about a 3,000 percent growth left," he said. "The business is growing-it's growing very rapidly."
Gosnell, who also happens to be an accomplished mason, said dry flat work can offer less liability than working on buildings, and masons can often quickly cover a lot of ground.
"It's as fast as you can put it down," Gosnell said. "With 15 guys, I could do up to 10,000 square feet a day-and I was slow!"
Creative Outlets
ONE OF THE REASONS masons enjoy hardscaping is the creative outlet. "It's kind of an artwork," said Felice, whose company completes $10 to $20 million in annual business.