Industry shift

[cgland]

Has anyone noticed a shift toward more natural products? Don't get me wrong, pavers are a huge part of our business, but I've been installing more and more natural stone these days. Anyone else see this?

Chris

[mrusk]

Alot of the time, HO are willing to go for whatever you suggest. From day one i knew i wanted to do high end work, so it was only natural for me to suggest natural material to many of my customers.

Pavers are okay for a driveway, but i'd rather not install them anywhere else.

Natural stone is always in style. In 10 years, the pavers we are installing know will be as outdated as the octogon pavers.

[MuirView Design]

I agree with this totally and think this shift will continue. I've talked to a lot of guys in the supply yards about this also and they all say they are selling more natural stone and less pavers. I've been pushing for more natural stone in my sales as well. I think there are higher profits to be made in pavers though.

Even on the masonry wall side, I see a push towards more natural stone veneer than cultured stone.

[cgland]

I agree, It's just hard to get away from a product that goes down so quickly. W/ pavers you are in and out, plus a hardscape foreman is alot easier to find than a mason. I love the look/feel of natural stone, but money making wise pavers are here to stay for me.

Chris

[Mbella]

We installed more natural stone this year than ever before. The reason for our increase in natural stone installation was due to the hiring of a mason, whom can work with dry/wet/natural, or manufactured.

As far as an industry shift?? I don't think so.

[B.L. Landscaping]

I have also seen a larger demand for natural stone in the midwest.

[-EGLC-]

Yah, I've seen more guys out there doing stone verneer & natural stone walls. IMO it looks better & I know it will last much longer.

[kris]

Defiantly a shift in our company ..we installed more tonnage of stone than ever before. It is not so much the pavers that I am tired of but Pissa walls do nothing for me anymore.

[GDK]

Definately see a shift....I love working with natural stone, too.

[NCSULandscaper]

ive seen more of a shift for cultured stone than natural around here

[tthomass]

I have yet to not take a job from a paver guy be it dry lay, wall, wet lay, steps.......I always push natural stone.

I do like a paver driveway but I'd want a natural stone edge and some sort of natural stone design in it........