Resource Content

[MuirView Design]

Let's say you were hypothetically new to the biz and you stumbled across this site. What kind of resource content do you guys feel could be added to the site to make it even better? What information did you seek out when you were first starting out?

[bcwsport]

Maybe a page dedicated to materials, best/worst (opinions) and a dictionary of terms in the trade. Maybe definitions of natural stones, where they are from,regions available, type (ingneous). Something informational that an 8th grader could research for a school project. What d'ya think?

[MuirView Design]

I love it, keep 'em comin'! Do you think industry links would be helpful? How about more business management stuff?

[bcwsport]

Yes, the US Green Building institue, the natural stone coalition (or whatever) http://www.genuinestone.com/whyuse.php
Engineering sites or product installation guidelines maybe.

[mpickel]

What about:

Mortar mixing formulas
Cubic Yard formula (Determining amount of concrete)
Area Coverages (flagstone, stone, mulch, etc)
All the basic formulas really...they may seem elementary, but it would be nice to compile them in one place.

[joeymaze]

You know marcus that's a great idea. Things like sand calculation,base, topsoil. If I get a chance I will look up some of these and post it. It will not only be good for newbies to the site, but also a quick reference for everyone when your puting an estimate together.

[GreenBoy]

A newbie would probably be served best by some pics and a good description of what is happening in each pic....

A trade dictionary would probably be very beneficial too because If someone doesn't understand some of the terms then tehy may find it difficult to follow some of the threads...

I think everything that has been mentioned could be very beneficial to someone new to the industry

If I think of something else I will come back

[clipfert]

Maybe everyone can post what they charge per sq ft regardless of the job. :sorry:
We could also post where to get free govt grants to start a new business. :laugh:

[bcwsport]

Maybe everyone can post what they charge per sq ft regardless of the job. :sorry:
We could also post where to get free govt grants to start a new business. :laugh:

That's funny, I was at a Cambridge training class on Monday and the montra was that it is important not to get into a sq/ft pricing mindset for each and every job has different principle for prepping. Even next door neighbors. I found that I do have a deep seated sq/ft mindset and maybe this needs to be addressed.

[mark tresch]

As South Jersey's largest EP Henry dealer I'm looking for what you guys want / need going into 2009, whether it be EPH or not. Is there something else we need to be looking at? Are natural materials being asked more often? Other paver manufacturers? Outdoor fireplace and kitchens? Water features? Masonry and stone veneer?
However, if I were a contractor, I'd be looking for insider tips - how certain installations are being done, custom cutting techniques, what permit issues (if any) people are running into and where, which manufacturers people are having the best luck with, etc. Anything that could reduce the learning curve.

Mark

[MuirView Design]

All great suggestions.

Instead of posting these things in a thread, we were thinking of adding a few new sections to the site that will be linked to off of the main forum page, but only accessible by "Pro" members. We want to create a "Pro Member" section to the forum as well, where for a minimal yearly fee, you will be granted "Pro Access" to, not only the wealth of resource content, but also a behind the scenes forum as well. We want to create a place that as contractors, we can feel more comfortable in sharing things you wouldn't necessarily want to share in the public view. The yearly fee will not only afford the ability to add and create better content, but will also dissuade anyone who is not serious, from joining.

I personally plan on creating and sharing a lot more in depth design tutorials for not only Sketchup, but other design programs as well. We were also thinking of adding things like technical installation videos, sample contracts and proposals, access to in depth business management advice as well as a lot of the things you guys have mentioned in this thread.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it something you'd be willing to pay for? We want to continually try to evolve the site and have it become the premier Hardscape site on the net today. That's only going to happen by listening to all the members and providing what they need and want. I'm excited about the future of the site...now if there were only more hours in a day!

[GreenBoy]

All great suggestions.

Instead of posting these things in a thread, we were thinking of adding a few new sections to the site that will be linked to off of the main forum page, but only accessible by "Pro" members. We want to create a "Pro Member" section to the forum as well, where for a minimal yearly fee, you will be granted "Pro Access" to, not only the wealth of resource content, but also a behind the scenes forum as well. We want to create a place that as contractors, we can feel more comfortable in sharing things you wouldn't necessarily want to share in the public view. The yearly fee will not only afford the ability to add and create better content, but will also dissuade anyone who is not serious, from joining.

I personally plan on creating and sharing a lot more in depth design tutorials for not only Sketchup, but other design programs as well. We were also thinking of adding things like technical installation videos, sample contracts and proposals, access to in depth business management advice as well as a lot of the things you guys have mentioned in this thread.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it something you'd be willing to pay for? We want to continually try to evolve the site and have it become the premier Hardscape site on the net today. That's only going to happen by listening to all the members and providing what they need and want. I'm excited about the future of the site...now if there were only more hours in a day!

That sounds like an awesome idea! I'd pay

[joeymaze]

So woud I. I have only been here for a few months & I have already gained so much.

[JGabes]

Adam

For additional content, business and sales/marketing would be great for newbies and old timers alike. There are a number of links that could be added for this and I'm real confident that there are experts in all areas that would be very happy to contribute articles, advice, etc to build up a good amount of content.

[HRLand]

I would pay also but I think it needs to be more than just a small fee. If this will be a contractor only area maybe require members to provide a tax id number to join or something along those lines. Maybe a list of all their equipment. ha ha

[GreenBoy]

Something like that is a good idea HR,

[mark tresch]

I like the thoughts. We're in

[WoodwardsChris]

We are in. About time you starting making a little $ for the time you are putting in on the tutorials.

[mpickel]

I'm in, but I want profit sharing or shares. Especially when for when this site is sold!:wof:

[MuirView Design]

Chris, I get paid in thank you's. (Which explains why I'm broke. :pound:)

How do you guys feel about the site categories? Do you think they should be expanded to include other areas of outdoor construction.....i.e. masonry, decks and pergolas, etc. in their own section? Or, would it be better to leave Hardscaping as an all encompassing category?

Again, keeping in line with the idea of resource content, is it also better to categorize "wet lay" type content separate from "dry lay" type content?

[mark tresch]

masonry, concrete, stone veneer can all still fall into the "hardscaping" category

[bcwsport]

The one thing that I like about this is if there is a paying member section, I know the information published will be well researched and worth the price of admission.

[musclecarboy]

I'm in for the paid section. I've learned a ton from here

[WoodwardsChris]

Adam:

Not sure how easy it would be, but what about a database of just the pictures? There are some incredible ideas on this website. It can be somewhat time consuming searching for them once they get buried behind other threads.

[JZap]

I assume it would be pretty easy to set something like this up, members are interested and it would be an even bigger benefit to share more detailed information like at a "round table"... what's the hold up? haha No, but seriously, I would be on board for something like this. I think that the hardscaping should have some additional sub-categories for veneer, outdoor structures, masonry, outdoor kitchens, driveways. I think this was mentioned, but sometimes great information is lost amongst threads. This might make info more accessible to the newcomers.
I recently started playing around with Sketchup and let me tell ya. Just starting now... and looking through those threads...it would take me all day just to read them all. It's pure gold and has been instrumental in learning SU. I was moving along in a few hours and knew any questions I had would be "somewhere" in the threads about SU, but if that info was categorized and had a central database of downloads (maybe setup FTP for this) THAT is worth a fee for sure. Keep up the good work guys.

[musclecarboy]

Adam:

Not sure how easy it would be, but what about a database of just the pictures? There are some incredible ideas on this website. It can be somewhat time consuming searching for them once they get buried behind other threads.

Great idea... this would also slow down some lawn jockey a$$hole from stealing the nice pics people post. I'd say put a little water mark like e-bay does to pics once they're posted.

[musclecarboy]

I assume it would be pretty easy to set something like this up, members are interested and it would be an even bigger benefit to share more detailed information like at a "round table"... what's the hold up? haha No, but seriously, I would be on board for something like this. I think that the hardscaping should have some additional sub-categories for veneer, outdoor structures, masonry, outdoor kitchens, driveways. I think this was mentioned, but sometimes great information is lost amongst threads. This might make info more accessible to the newcomers.
I recently started playing around with Sketchup and let me tell ya. Just starting now... and looking through those threads...it would take me all day just to read them all. It's pure gold and has been instrumental in learning SU. I was moving along in a few hours and knew any questions I had would be "somewhere" in the threads about SU, but if that info was categorized and had a central database of downloads (maybe setup FTP for this) THAT is worth a fee for sure. Keep up the good work guys.

The SU stuff is just awesome. It would be worth $20,30 or even $50 a year to have all those goodies organized and updated regularly.

[JZap]

I agree with the worth of this information. I think it's a little too early to charge $50, but if startup money was needed for server space, etc. to do this maybe have either a longer term membership (2 years for $50) or lifetime membership fee to help boost some funds to get this thing off the ground. I think the idea of an FTP makes the most sense for the resource database which would allow for easy accessibility.

[sancraig]

The ftp sounds nice. Depending on the amount of traffic that would be generated. I might be able to help with server space my co-located server has about 1.5 TB unused every month that might be of use.