In the latest issue of Ontario Home Builder magazine, an article lists 10 ways to prevent rising gas prices from “burning your profits.” Rising fuel costs is obviously not just an issue that affects home builders; it’s an issue that affects all small business owners, landscape business owners included – most of us rely on a fleet of trucks and equipment to get the job done! According to the author, while we can’t control the rise of fuel costs, we can control the amount of fuel we consume. In pursuit of boosting our bottom line, every little bit helps. Here are some of the author’s tips for cutting fuel costs:

It’s fair to say that Easter time is also the real marking point for typical spring season festivities, in which BBQs, dinning alfresco, outdoor games and gatherings are a regular occurrence. So, with all the outdoor fun ahead, your customers will want their garden and landscape to be in tip-top shape. And, even if your customers aren’t taking part in the Easter hoopla, they’ll certainly want to take advantage of the long weekend to get outside for some much-needed yard work! Whether you’re tending to the landscape and garden this Easter season, or your customers are, here is a list of “must-do” jobs.

New to blogging? Or perhaps you’ve been blogging for some time and are looking to spruce up your blog and boost your readership? Whatever your motivation, you’ve probably heard the business advantages of blogging and are therefore ready to jump on the blogging bandwagon and take full advantage of the free ride. With that in mind, here are some tidbits that will help new (and not so new) bloggers with their ventures in blogging.

Estimating is like the classic game of chess. You need to price for profit, knowing when to strike, when to sacrifice, and when to hold back, all while your customer is playing the same game! Don’t get stuck chasing the same unrewarding and profitless jobs. Learn how to maximize your time spent on profitable work, leaving the less-profitable work to your competitors.

In pursuit of an outdoor space that truly reflects their unique tastes and individual lifestyle, your customers are going to want their landscape design to encompass their need for privacy and security. There are a number of both hardscape and softscape design features that can help make the backyard oasis a secluded and tranquil place, perfect for customers of all walks of life with different wants and expectations. Here are some ideas to suggest to your clients.

Yes, it’s true, the days of colorful blooms and lush greenery are still a little while away, but that doesn’t mean you have to ignore your desire to get out there. Early spring is actually the ideal time to get started on garden and landscape maintenance. Whether your goal is to work on your own landscape or you’re planning to offer early spring maintenance services to your clients, here are some of the things you can do now to set you, or your clients, up on the path to a fruitful bloom when the warmer weather hits.

Spring 2011 is all about eco-gardening – making green choices and following sustainable practices to ensure the health and prosperity of our environment. That means using as little water as possible, sticking to local, native plants and reducing the amount of sprawling green space with more hardscape features. With spring just around the corner, the shelves are stocked with new “all-natural” and “eco-friendly” products and tools that promise to work as effectively as traditional gardening tools, without all the nasty chemicals and toxins. Here’s a look at some of the latest products to look out for…

It’s always challenging for small businesses owners to bid against the big guys. Burdened with less staff and equipment, small businesses are often forced to compete on price alone – an action that ultimately leads to less profit – if any – at the end of the day. To stop the endless cycle of taking on unprofitable projects, small businesses need to compete on selling factors other than price alone. There are a variety of features unique to your company that will definitely set you apart from your competition. The key is figuring out where your competition falls short, where you excel and how you can market your selling features to your customers in a way that shows them why you’re the favorable choice.

If you’re a new business owner, or you’re simply looking to generate some buzz about your business, the local media is truly your best friend. Especially so for landscape contractors, who generally keep their business and services limited to the same region – promoting through the local media is certainly favorable for them. And for those who span their business to a larger reach, local media is still important and utilizing it is a great way to exercise your skills in selling your business.

However, once you’ve decided to take an outside source under your wing, there are a few things you need to consider – namely, who you’ll be hiring to represent your business to your customer. Know that you, the contractor, are completely responsible for the work a subcontractor does. Therefore, you are responsible for any mistakes, problems or confrontations that could arise on their behalf. Bearing this in mind, it is absolutely critical to ensure the people you hire to represent your business fit the bill, in terms of excelling in the work you need done and in terms of creditability and liability. Here are some things every contractor should know before they hire a subcontractor.