When a problem occurs with a recently installed decorative concrete job, who is responsible? I understand that this is a loaded question, and there are lots of factors to consider, but the question still stands.
Business & Technology
From self-cleaning and self-repairing to bendable and glowing, concrete is constantly evolving, regularly bringing technologically improved products to market.
Successful Concrete Businesses No Matter Where You Call Home
Doug Carlton discusses his favorite trait of the decorative concrete industry: Passion.
Building Relationships with Architects
An underutilized opportunity for potentially creating more jobs and visibility for your company exists within the design community. Architects and landscape architects are key members of the project team for commercial and high-end residential installations.
Why the Formula Approach for Polished Concrete Hurts Our Industry
The weak economy does not have to make our industry buckle under price pressures. We’ve forgotten that polished concrete is already the best bargain in the flooring industry, and what’s more, we’ve allowed the formulaic installation to become entrenched in specifications.
Processes that Ensure Quality Work Are Needed Now More Than Ever
The lack of communication between owners and designers at the top of the building process and the workers at the production end, as well as the training needed for a seamless transition from client’s conception to finished project can create a dysfunction in the industry that is in desperate need of fixing.
Three Ways to Drum Up New Concrete Work
Eight times per year I look at this magazine from cover to cover, amazed at how our industry has been hijacked by true artists. This level of skill, along with a few creative marketing ideas, should keep fresh money coming into your bank account.
Compete for Work, But Do It Respectfully
One of the major issues that I have noticed in the decorative concrete industry is that most contractors in our business do not seem to have any respect for each other. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part this statement is true across the board.
Does Marketing Green Concrete Work?
All across the country leading decorative concrete contractors are going green — no matter what colors their clients request. Some contractors are emphasizing green marketing messages in their advertising, brochures, Web sites and sales presentations. This article examines two leading contractors to answer the question: Does green marketing give you a competitive advantage that wins business?
Marketing and Selling Decorative Concrete
It’s not your imagination — the construction market is currently much more competitive. When opportunities exist, beating the odds to win the job and the increase of price pressures require more marketing tools and salesmanship than at any time in the last decade
Teaching Decorative Concrete in Universities
Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Programs are teaching decorative concrete in universities across the country.
