June 2020
Greetings!
Despite economic concerns from the pandemic, contractors are reporting brisk sales this spring.
We appreciate all that you are doing to keep up with this flurry of new business.
According to national surveys, stay-at-home consumers have ramped up their spending on home repairs, remodeling and improvements.
More time at home has helped them see shortcomings in their current landscaping and given them time to engage with pros to make needed improvements.
Even as restaurants and entertainment venues start to re-open, consumers will stay focused on maintaining their homes as a peaceful retreat. We expect a strong sales year for landscape improvements.
Ask your MPR representative for ideas on products you can promote to stay-at-home consumers.
The Team at MPR Supply
Leaders in the Irrigation Association recently gathered to share recommendations for professional contractors preparing for potential economic, market and business changes due to COVID-19.
Their recommendations included a focus on WiFi controllers. They asserted these are driving increased residential sales opportunities.
View all of their recommendations in the webinar and learn more about how the Irrigation Association is helping professionals in these uncertain times.
Here are some tips for more effective sales presentations when selling to homeowners:
Toro introduces SMRT Logic™ and SMRTscape™ for mobile landscape control anywhere, anytime.
It offers unparalleled remote control of your clients' irrigation, outdoor lighting, and other landscape features through your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Fully compatible with the Toro EVOLUTION Series controller; TMC Series controllers; and Custom Command controllers; as well as, Irritrol® irrigation controllers and Unique Lighting Systems® installations.
Simple plug and play operation that allows the SMRT Logic to sync with the homeowner's router and connect to the internet without the need for network passwords.
Communicates to the homeowner's controllers (up to 10) and/or outdoor landscape features via a proprietary 900 MHz radio signal, as opposed to relying on the property's Wi-Fi network.
The SMRTscape companion app is available for Android and iOS devices. It can also be accessed at SMRTscape.com. The program allows users to enter information about a property's irrigation system, upload photos, customize settings, and then manipulate the irrigation program.
Explore the many ways SMRTscape can grow your business. Ask us for details.
Need to work around bad, shorted or broken field wires without digging up an entire landscape to run a new wire?
Now you can control 2 valves with only one good wire pair with the proven Add-A-Zone.
Exclusive features:
Solve these problems:
Thanks to Regency Wire and Cable, we have new training videos on troubleshooting 2-wire systems. They share information helpful to all brands. Watch the first video on the basics here, then visit their YouTube channel to see the full series.
Rain Bird shares insights on how to select the correct type of sprinkler or drip equipment for each area on a site.
Most of the selection criteria uses the site-specific information gathered or calculated in the earlier design steps such as: water source, water pressure, soil type, climate and determining the irrigation requirement. Selecting irrigation components without first gathering this information is premature and can lead to an irrigation system that does not perform to meet the landscape's requirements and can cause significant performance and maintenance problems.
Click here to learn the sprinkler selection criteria.
Look for the WETS spots before you look for a leak!
One of the more confusing issues that pond owners and contractors have to deal with is the issue of "normal" water loss. The natural processes of Wicking, Evaporation, Transpiration and Splash will cause water levels to drop in pond, pond-free feature or fountain no matter what you do. Learn how to distinguish these natural processes from leaks, and ho to measure them.
Click here to read the full article.
Are you offering mid-season check-ups to your irrigation customers?
They're certainly a big opportunity!
Many customers do not notice when they're system has broken components or is running inefficiently. This leads to wasted water and stressed landscapes.
During a typical check-up, the sprinkler expert can perform regular maintenance and help customers avoid unexpected summer service calls. Essential tasks include:
Setting an Optimal Summer Watering Schedule - the correct controller program will tame your customers' water bills by watering precisely when needed.
Check Operation and Adjust Sprinklers - making sure they're directed onto landscaped areas and not spraying the house, walkways or driveway.
Check for Broken Risers and Leaks - a leak no larger than a tip of a ballpoint pen can waste 6,000 gallons of water a month.
Correct Coverage Problems - caused by broken nozzles, interference from plants or other issues. In systems with poor coverage, you have to overwater some areas just to get other areas to stay alive. By resolving coverage problems, there's no need for overwatering.
Don't wait... make a plan to market these services soon. With the hottest, driest months ahead, there will be great opportunities to pick up additional service dollars.
Despite economic concerns from the pandemic, contractors are reporting brisk sales this spring. We appreciate all that you are doing to keep up with this flurry of new business.
According to national surveys, stay-at-home consumers have ramped up their spending on home repairs, remodeling and improvements.
More time at home has helped them see shortcomings in their current landscaping and given them time to engage with pros to make needed improvements.
Even as restaurants and entertainment venues start to re-open, consumers will stay focused on maintaining their homes as a peaceful retreat. We expect a strong sales year for landscape improvements.
Ask your MPR representative for ideas on products you can promote to stay-at-home consumers.
The Team at MPR Supply
Irrigation Association Releases Advice to Help Contractors Adjust to "New Normal"
How do they recommend you adjust? This recorded webinar has their ideas.Leaders in the Irrigation Association recently gathered to share recommendations for professional contractors preparing for potential economic, market and business changes due to COVID-19.
Their recommendations included a focus on WiFi controllers. They asserted these are driving increased residential sales opportunities.
View all of their recommendations in the webinar and learn more about how the Irrigation Association is helping professionals in these uncertain times.
4 Ways to Make Homeowner Presentations More Effective
Here are some tips for more effective sales presentations when selling to homeowners:- Talk about implementing their vision: Tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end that helps your customer visualize the current situation and how you will help them achieve their landscape goal.
- Summarize your understanding: Start your presentation by reviewing what you know about the customer: what he/she is looking to accomplish. Then, check to make sure you have summarized correctly. This kind of upfront summary lays the foundation for building trust and confidence in your ability to help the customer.
- Ask real questions, not just confirmation questions: Don't just ask, "How does that sound to you?" or, "What are your thoughts?" Ask some really good questions, including ones to which you don't have the answers. It's a matter of being specific with your questions. "Which of these two options would work better for you?" The point is to get feedback along the way and to get the customer to make small decisions that add up to a big decision to hire you.
- Focus on next steps: Be sure to ask for the business. If the customer isn't ready to make a decision, schedule a time to follow up. Also ask: "Is there any additional information we can provide?" Keep the conversation going and find out when a decision will be made.
Don't Let Traditional WiFi Range Issues Get in the Way of Smart App-Based Control: Choose the Toro SMRT Logic!
Toro introduces SMRT Logic™ and SMRTscape™ for mobile landscape control anywhere, anytime. It offers unparalleled remote control of your clients' irrigation, outdoor lighting, and other landscape features through your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Fully compatible with the Toro EVOLUTION Series controller; TMC Series controllers; and Custom Command controllers; as well as, Irritrol® irrigation controllers and Unique Lighting Systems® installations.
Simple plug and play operation that allows the SMRT Logic to sync with the homeowner's router and connect to the internet without the need for network passwords.
Communicates to the homeowner's controllers (up to 10) and/or outdoor landscape features via a proprietary 900 MHz radio signal, as opposed to relying on the property's Wi-Fi network.
The SMRTscape companion app is available for Android and iOS devices. It can also be accessed at SMRTscape.com. The program allows users to enter information about a property's irrigation system, upload photos, customize settings, and then manipulate the irrigation program.
Explore the many ways SMRTscape can grow your business. Ask us for details.
Must Have Problem-Solver for Irrigation Electrical Repairs
Need to work around bad, shorted or broken field wires without digging up an entire landscape to run a new wire? Now you can control 2 valves with only one good wire pair with the proven Add-A-Zone.
Exclusive features:
- Both valves connected to Add-A-Zone are independently timed and controlled.
- The two valves can be set to separate watering schedules and programs in the controller.
- No disruption of the landscape to repair problems.
Solve these problems:
- Divide existing zones stations with a new valve to correct pressure problems. Permits the addition of an additional valve to systems that have an open station on the controller.
- Work around broken field wires and maintain full system functionality.
Introduction to Troubleshooting Decoder-Based Systems
Troubleshooting electrical problems with a 2-wire decoder system is significantly more complex than a traditional irrigation system.Thanks to Regency Wire and Cable, we have new training videos on troubleshooting 2-wire systems. They share information helpful to all brands. Watch the first video on the basics here, then visit their YouTube channel to see the full series.
Rain Bird Design Tip: Sprinkler Selection Criteria
Rain Bird shares insights on how to select the correct type of sprinkler or drip equipment for each area on a site.Most of the selection criteria uses the site-specific information gathered or calculated in the earlier design steps such as: water source, water pressure, soil type, climate and determining the irrigation requirement. Selecting irrigation components without first gathering this information is premature and can lead to an irrigation system that does not perform to meet the landscape's requirements and can cause significant performance and maintenance problems.
Click here to learn the sprinkler selection criteria.
Atlantic Tip: Water Loss is Only Natural
Look for the WETS spots before you look for a leak!One of the more confusing issues that pond owners and contractors have to deal with is the issue of "normal" water loss. The natural processes of Wicking, Evaporation, Transpiration and Splash will cause water levels to drop in pond, pond-free feature or fountain no matter what you do. Learn how to distinguish these natural processes from leaks, and ho to measure them.
Click here to read the full article.
Plan Ahead to Sell Mid-Season Irrigation Audits
Are you offering mid-season check-ups to your irrigation customers?They're certainly a big opportunity!
Many customers do not notice when they're system has broken components or is running inefficiently. This leads to wasted water and stressed landscapes.
During a typical check-up, the sprinkler expert can perform regular maintenance and help customers avoid unexpected summer service calls. Essential tasks include:
Setting an Optimal Summer Watering Schedule - the correct controller program will tame your customers' water bills by watering precisely when needed.
Check Operation and Adjust Sprinklers - making sure they're directed onto landscaped areas and not spraying the house, walkways or driveway.
Check for Broken Risers and Leaks - a leak no larger than a tip of a ballpoint pen can waste 6,000 gallons of water a month.
Correct Coverage Problems - caused by broken nozzles, interference from plants or other issues. In systems with poor coverage, you have to overwater some areas just to get other areas to stay alive. By resolving coverage problems, there's no need for overwatering.
Don't wait... make a plan to market these services soon. With the hottest, driest months ahead, there will be great opportunities to pick up additional service dollars.