September News from MPR Supply
Seven Sources of Advantage in the Landscape Business
There are many ways for contractors to gain an edge. Here are some advantages we've observed in leading companies: Hard work - Some people work harder, consistently.
Differentiation - Approaching the business differently. Doing something uniquely, in a way that’s memorable to customers. Not following what every other contractor is doing.
Strong processes - Creating strong processes for everything and following them repeatedly. “Lean contracting” is a great example.
Building the strongest team – Hiring and the best people and motivating the best out of them.
Endurance - A patient willingness to put up with challenges to get to better outcomes.
Temperament - Keeping your head when everyone else is losing theirs.
We wish you all of these, and an 8th too: luck.
The Team at MPR Supply
Dauer Bodacious Brass Integrated LED Accent Lights
A Great Product for The Busy Lighting Season
Dauer's Bodacious solid brass integrated uplight / downlight has been a big hit so far this season. One of Dauer’s best-in-class fixtures, this accent light boasts strong advantages to please both your clients and your profit margin. 
The Bodacious comes with a 3” removable shroud. A heavy-duty mounting stake is also included. Optional 6” shroud is available for separate purchase. 10-year warranty.
Contact your MPR representative to place your lighting orders and… Discover The Power Of Dauer.
Get Ready for Holiday Decorating Season!
Learn Design, Estimating and Installation on Our Training Portal
The Seasonal Source training portal is the most effective and easy way to learn about holiday lighting. Our courses are extensive and cover every part of the holiday lighting process. Plus, it is FREE for contractors. Take a look at the courses we have available:- Planning & Estimating a Professional Holiday Decorating Project
- Presenting & Selling a Professional Holiday Decorating Project
- Installing a Professional Holiday Decorating Project
New Surface-Mount LED Step Lights from Kichler
Created for easy installation, these new LED step lights mount directly to any wall surface, without the need for a predetermined "box" opening. No need to carve out a hole!
Low Profile, Easy Installation Small profile design for easy installation allows you to mount to the surface without fitting a junction box. Includes template to align mounting hole to get perfect placement.
Clean, Uniform Light Distribution Enjoy a clean, uniform light distribution down and across surfaces, preventing hotspots or light cutoff below the fixture.
Professional Quality & Performance Sealed and fully encapsulated to safeguard from water ingress and the elements – helping to extend the life of the product. Includes 4000-volt system surge protection protects against power surges and irregularities.
Irrigation Service Work: 5 Ways to Make More from Service Calls
Irrigation service work is often the most predictible and profitable source of revenue for landscape / irrigation contractors. But some contractors still leave "money on the table" in the service side of the business. Here are 5 things to examine to make your service operations even better: - Using System Scorecards. These are a quick checklist that helps you evaluate the current installation. They demonstrate your professionalism, increase consistency with your technicians, and give them the ability to up-sell simply by pointing out areas that could be improved (i.e. they’re not “selling” they’re just pointing out things that could be better). Grab an example here.
- Provide Technician Incentives. Some contractors tell us they treat each service truck as its own small business, and each tech as their own entrepreneur. Here are some ways to structure incentives.
- Route Better. Reducing drive time between calls is the #1 way you can maximize your time and money, without adding more labor. Make sure you (or your office manager or service manager) are glancing at the routes each day. With the right technology, this is a “check the box” process that takes mere minutes. It’s guaranteed to save you time and make you more money.
Do's and Don'ts of Installing Threaded Plastic Pipe Fittings
Avoid costly mistakes. PVC fittings with female threads are vulnerable to splitting when incorrectly installed. Train your team: There are hidden dangers of using tape sealants and paste, the advantages of using thread sealant and the consequences of over-tightening. What you might think is correct may be against manufacturer recommendations.
Follow these guidelines:
- Don't over-tighten joints by giving "one more tum to be sure". Finger tighten plus one or two turns - No More!
- Avoid adding to the wedging force of threads with too much Teflon tape or paste. Many recommend none at all!
- Beware that thread paste/sealant makes joints easier to thread together. Therefore it can make it easier to overtighten. Be especially careful when using thread sealants.
Should You Be Charging a Design Fee? Yes, But This Way...
Many contractors offer free design as a way to "get a foot in the door". But when you have specific expertise and a full project pipeline, you're selling yourself short. Design fees are a great way for the client to demonstrate to you that they're committed to the project - and not just seeking free advice.
A flat design fee of $25, $200 or $500 is simplistic and doesn't match to the project. It's what turns clients off. Better to base design fees as a percentage of the project cost. 2% is common in many areas of the country.
Having a fee of this type forces you to 1) do some selling up front to qualify the prospect and their budget and 2) to organize your thoughts on the approximate cost.
The client who pays a design fee has more commitment to the project and is much less likely to shop around. Design fees actually positively set contractors apart because they emphasize what the other contractor (likely) is not offering: professional design services!
Stop undervaluing your talent, your time and your expertise. Charge a design fee!