As a landscaping company owner, staying up-to-date with the latest tools and equipment can significantly improve efficiency and output. One tool that has recently gained popularity is the tiltrotator, a hydraulic attachment that offers greater flexibility and precision in excavating and grading work.

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor podcast, Caleb Auman discussed his plans to purchase a tiltrotator with three other owners who already have one, including Andy Mulder (Mulder Maintenance & Services), Jeremy Swihart (J Squared Outdoor Living), and Zach Tournoux (Tournoux Landcare). Although they shared varying experiences, they all agreed that a tiltrotator is a worthwhile investment for any landscaping business.

Caleb confirmed his plan to purchase a tiltrotator, which would likely be installed on a machine weighing under five tons. However, he's currently undecided on the brand and will need to research and determine which is best for his company, whether it be Steelwrist, ...

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 dump truck or dump trailer ...

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 commercial work because of t...

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 long-t...

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 with their famil...

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 fire extingui...

Setting goals is an important part of achieving success in any aspect of life. Whether you are looking to grow your business or improve your personal life, setting clear and achievable goals is the key to making progress. In a recent podcast episode, Caleb and Brittany discuss the importance of setting one, two, and five-year goals personally, financially, and for the company.

At first, the conversation was a bit heated because Brittany was not confident in the goal they had set for themselves. Caleb reminded her that a goal must be something that you are passionate about and confident in achieving. This led to a decision to set a specific date to discuss and set their goals.

Caleb and Brittany discuss the importance of setting a timeline for achieving your goals. Whether it is a meeting with a client or a date with your spouse, putting it on the calendar ensures that it will happen. This also applies to achieving your goals. Setting a specific date for achieving your goals will help...

Starting a business at a young age can be challenging, but for two 18-year-old twins, it's a story of determination and hard work. These young entrepreneurs run a successful commercial maintenance company that offers services ranging from landscaping to snow removal. With a team of two crews, they manage to maintain 200 properties and remove snow from 70 accounts every week.

The company started as a summer job to make some extra money, but it quickly escalated into a full-fledged business venture. The twins didn't come from a wealthy family and wanted to finance their own activities and entertainment, so they started working and saved their earnings. As the business grew, they realized the potential and decided to keep it going.

Word of mouth played a significant role in the growth of the business, and in the past six months, Google has also helped with local marketing and attracting new customers. With their hard work and determination, the twins have managed to make a name for them...