How are Contractors Maximizing Profits in a Booming Market?
It's no secret that the irrigation / landscape industry is experiencing run-away demand. With the surge in work, savvy contractors have taken specific actions to boost their profits during the boom.

Making your business more profitable isn't about cutting costs or trying to meet unreasonable productivity targets. Focus on what you CAN control:

1) Pricing. Raise prices when you have plenty of work. Offer good/better/best pricing options so big-spender customers can choose a deluxe (and high-margin) package with all of the extras.

2) Up-sell and Add-On. Add additional items (like landscape lighting) to every quote. Offer enhancements and upgrades with every service visit.

3) Boost Marketing. Grow marketing efforts to have more prospects calling you. Then be picky about which ones you choose! (Those that want the best work and who have budgets to do the job right.)

4) No Free Work. Stop offering extras for free to be nice. Avoid giving "sweeteners" to close the deal. Don't allow salespeople to offer discounts.

Take advantage of our industry's robust market. Earn a fair profit that you deserve.

The Team at Aqua-Flo Supply

Aqua-Flo is Hiring! Check Out a List of Our Open Positions
Know a friend or family member who is looking to build a career with a fast-growing landscape / irrigation industry leader?

We're hiring for many positions throughout Southern California. Visit our website or click here for more information.
Revive Summer-Stressed Lawns with Live Earth Fertilizers
There are numerous fertilizers on the market. Some work, some don't. Some last a week, some last a month. Some actually enrich your soil, but most don't.
 
We are proud to stock Live Earth fertilizers and soil amendments. While chemical fertilizers have no positive effect on the soil, Live Earth's humic acid products can improve the soil while adding nutrients. Live Earth's array of products actually increases the fertilizer and water holding capacity of the soil.
 
Live Earth has dozens of product solutions available ranging from bagged fertilizers, to soil amendments to liquid fertilizers for spray or fertilization tanks. Let us help you make your clients' soil healthier so their lawns and landscapes flourish.
5 Ways Landscape Professionals Can Be More Profitable
Top-performing contractors achieve more by taking an assertive approach. They demand better and achieve more.

Here are some ways leaders distinguish themselves:

1) They don't leave money on the table. They figure out a way to get paid for extras that the others give for free. They price based on what they think the client will be willing to pay, not just their cost of production.

2) They're picky about who they work for. If they sense anyone is going to be difficult to work with or resistant to paying a proper rate for their efforts, they drop them – fast – before wasting time.

3) They market their services repeatedly and consistently, even when they have a full backlog. They stay busy through the whole season and have a strong brand that attracts new customers.

4) They specialize. They develop unique expertise with certain services or customer types, making them the "go to company" for special needs. (And they perform this work more efficiently than others.)

5) They stand behind their work. Reputation matters. They don't cut corners and make excuses when they've made a mistake. A good reputation = a steady flow of quality customers.

Want to serve your clients better, serve your employees better and get an appropriate reward for your hard work? Have the courage to be a profit leader!
5 Shortcuts to Avoid in Your Landscape Lighting Installations
Ryan Williams of FX Luminaire shared these "things to avoid" in your landscape lighting designs to get more professional results.  We've expanded on his list here. 
 
1) Avoid the same light output across all fixtures. A common mistake is to use only 20W (halogen equivalent) lamps. Instead vary the light output to the need and to the fixture type. More light (lumens) in the distance to draw the eye to the full space.  Minimize glare with frosted filters/screening.  And don't forget dimming options.    
 
2) Don't skip proper splices.   Be sure to use professional-grade waterproof connectors and leave some extra wire at each fixture to accommodate plant growth.  
 
3) Use more than just stake-mounted fixtures.  The best lighting impact is often achieved from fixtures in trees, hanging from structures or mounted to hardscape surfaces.   
 
4) Get familiar with fixture accessories to be more precise with light.  What are "barn doors"? Telescoping stems? Specialized mounting plates, junction boxes and tree mounts?  Invest in these extra elements for a lasting, professional installation. 
 
5) Set up fixture zones. The old way "all lights on or off" with a single transformer and a timer. The newer, better way is multiple zones that allow the property owner to customize light levels for the need. Saves energy too. 
Make Fall Cleanup Easier and Faster
When the leaves, needles and debris land on your clients' lawns, clean them away efficiently and effectively with blowers, rakes, debris cans and other tools from Aqua-Flo.

From Corona, we have many styles of leaf, lawn and landscape rakes that are great for fall season clean-up tasks.   From Husqvarna, we offer battery-powered blowers that are quiet, efficient and stay charged for the full day's work.

Shop the displays and grab some great deals at Aqua-Flo.
Take Advantage of Rental Tools from Aqua-Flo for Specialized Tasks
Solve problems easily or make installations go faster with rental equipment from your local Aqua-Flo store.

Demo kits and test equipment can be a costly investment, especially for jobs that are rare and one-time. Rent what you need from us!

Call to reserve any of these:
  • Complete Socket Fusion Kit (3/4"-2") for HDPE water and sewer pipe
  • Landscape lighting demo kit
  • Synthetic Sod Power Broom
  • Wire Tracing / Fault Finding Equipment
  • Volt Meter
  • Flow/Pressure Gauge