Contractor’s Corner: How to Become a Belgard Master Craftsman
Posted: June 17, 2013 Filed under: Contractor's Corner Leave a comment »Contractors play a pivotal role in helping homeowners bring their outdoor living visions to life. Each month, we’ll offer a Contractor’s Corner post to share tips to help our contractor partners offer even more to homeowners and their landscapes.
Previously we’ve talked about how to become a Belgard Authorized Contractor, so let’s take it up a notch this week and talk about how you can go from being a BAC to a Master Craftsman – the highest level of certification from Belgard.
All Belgard Authorized Contractors looking to become a Master Craftsman must complete the following requirements:
- Must meet all BAC requirements
- Recognized as a winner of at least 1 national award OR 2 local awards for projects in the past 24 months
- Must have an employee complete the ICPI Residential Paver Technician Course
- Must have 5 years install experience
- Must be authorized in 2 of the following areas:
- Pavers
- Retaining Walls
- Belgard Elements
- Belgard Certified Applicator
- Must meet 2 of the following installation requirements as it relates to your areas of authorization within a 12 month period prior to applying for Master Craftsman status:
- 20,000 SF of Belgard Pavers
- 3,000 SF of Belgard Wall Product
- 7 projects containing at least one Belgard Element
- Clean and seal 25 paver projects
- 5 year workmanship guarantee
- Must attend 3 educational events provided by or approved by Belgard
- Must hold BAC status for 3 years prior in at least 1 area.
- 100% service satisfaction commitment
In addition to the initial requirements, all Master Craftsmen must submit to these yearly requirements:
- Maintain authorized status in at least two areas
- Must install/perform the following as it relates to your areas of authorization:
- 20,000 SF of Belgard pavers each year
- 2,000 SF of Belgard wall product each year
- 7 projects containing a Belgard Element each year
- Clean and seal 25 paver projects each year
- Must attend 3 educational events provided by or approved by Belgard
- Maintain 100% service satisfaction commitment
For more information on becoming a Belgard Master Craftsman, visit http://belgard.biz/docs/bac_requirements.pdf or contact your Belgard sales representative.
Current Belgard Master Craftsman include contractors from: Accent Paving, Inc., ACP, Arizona Royal Landscaping and Design, Autumn Blaze Construction, Black Diamond Paver Stones & Landscape, Inc., Brookstein Services, Continental Landscaping, Creative Outdoors, CYC Landscaping, Dean’s Landscaping, Inc., Desert Designer, European Pavers, Gardner Landscapes, Gulfstream Hardscape & Garages, Lawnscapers, Inc., Outdoor Design & Construction, Pavers 4 Less, Pavers Installed Company, Precise Paving, Precision Pavers- Outdoor Living, Stefano’s Landscaping, Waterquest Landscaping, Western Pavers, Inc., Wirth Services Inc., and York’s Landscape Service.
Outdoor Entertaining Tip of the Month: Our Favorite Products for Keeping Cool Outdoors
Posted: June 10, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Living, Tip of the Month 2 Comments »Spring and summer provide homeowners with warm temperatures for enjoying the outdoors, but it’s never too soon to plan ahead for when those temperatures get a little too warm! This week we’re sharing our favorite products for keeping cool outdoors so you can enjoy your outdoor living space even in the heat of summer.
Air circulation is essential to making a space feel cool and refreshing. An outdoor fan (1) on a patio or porch can not only help keep you cool but looks stylish and adds charm to any home.
It’s all about relaxation when it comes to enjoying a warm summer day. A comfy hammock (2), complete with pillow, lets you swing in a soft breeze.
Adding a Belgard water feature (3) to your outdoor space provides calming, natural sounds while you day dream the afternoon away.
Throw back a refreshing beverage from a tumbler (4) designed to keep drinks cold while the outside of the glass stays condensation-free.
Lastly, if you’re the neighbor entertainer, keep drinks cool for a group with a drink dispenser (5) with a built in ice compartment.
1. Hampton Bay Sailwind II Outdoor Ceiling Fan from Home Depot
2. 2-Point Beige Hammock from Target
3. Water Feature from the Belgard Elements Collection
4. 16 oz. Tumbler from Tervis
5. Drink Dispenser with Ice Chamber from Pier 1
The Party Starter Watermelon Tequila Cocktail
Posted: June 3, 2013 Filed under: Recipes for Company 1 Comment »The summer state of mind has us ready for a party! Get the party started with this recipe for Watermelon Tequila Cocktails. For a nonalcoholic version, skip the tequila and add a little water to help blend the mixture.
Ingredients
1 seedless watermelon (about 6 lbs.)
3/4 cup lemon juice
2 cups silver (also called blanco) tequila
Preparation
1. Cut melon into chunks and discard rind. Purée chunks in batches in a food processor. Pour mixture through a strainer into a bowl. Pour 4 cups into another bowl; whisk in lemon juice. Save any remaining watermelon juice for another use. Pour juice mixture into 4 ice cube trays* and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
2. Make drinks: Whirl half the watermelon cubes in a food processor until broken up, then add 1 cup tequila and whirl until blended. Pour into a pitcher and repeat with remaining ingredients.
*A standard ice cube tray has 14 cube slots.
From Sunset July 2011
Sunset Celebration Weekend Preview
Posted: May 27, 2013 Filed under: Events Leave a comment »We’re are so excited to be participating again in Sunset Celebration Weekend, a weekend event presented by Sunset magazine celebrating the best in gardening, decorating and cooking.
The Belgard booth #319 is located between the Travel Stage and the Wine Seminars. Many Belgard products will be on display including more than a dozen styles of pavers and wall block along with a fire pit, a fireplace from the Belgard Elements Collection and a Chicago Brick Oven.
Local Belgard Authorized Contractor Black Diamond Paver Stones & Landscape will be on-site to help you start planning your outdoor living project with Belgard.
We’ll also be helping Sunset create a permanent display outside of the Sunset Home Reimagined, a celebration of iconic Sunset spaces from 1940-1980 created by a team of talented designers.
Plus, be sure to stop by our booth to find out how you can get $500 off a Chicago Brick oven. We can’t wait to see you there!
Outdoor Entertaining Tip of the Month: Enjoying Memorial Day Weekend
Posted: May 13, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Living, Tip of the Month Leave a comment »Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to the summer season and we’ve got plenty of tips for making your outdoor space the place to be with friends and family.
- What better way to celebrate Memorial Day than to fire up the grill and cook up some all-American favorites like hot dogs, burgers and corn-on-the-cob? An outdoor kitchen is the perfect accessory for entertaining and eating outdoors.
- The Memorial Day holiday is a popular time for homeowner to open their pools for the summer season. So don’t forget to invite guests to bring their bathing suits for the first pool party of the year.
- Keep plenty of cool beverages within easy reach. Adding a mini fridge to your outdoor kitchen is a small investment you won’t soon regret.
- Refreshing snacks like fresh fruit and veggies are easy-to-eat munchies that are perfect for a warm day.
- Whether your patio is equipped with an outdoor speaker system or you have a portable speaker for your iPod, create a summer jam playlist that will keep the good tunes riding all weekend long.
While the weekend is all about entertaining and enjoying the company of friends and family, be sure to schedule some relaxation time to unwind. Enjoy a quiet Monday evening on the patio under the stars and listen to nature’s music before the real world begins again Tuesday morning.
Open-face Caprese Sandwiches
Posted: May 6, 2013 Filed under: Recipes for Company Leave a comment »These Open-face Caprese Sandwiches are a refreshing snack you can enjoy cooking on the grill. Ripe, juicy tomatoes are the perfect foil to crunchy, grilled Italian bread and they are a breeze to make. Follow the simple recipe below and be prepared as your family requests it again and again.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 slices (about 1/2 in. thick) crusty Italian bread
3 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced thinly
16 medium basil leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. Prepare a grill for medium heat (350° to 450°). Combine 1 tbsp. oil and the garlic and brush onto 1 side of bread.
2. Lay bread oiled side down on grill and cook until slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Turn bread over, lay tomato slices on bread to fit, overlapping if needed, then lay cheese slices over tomatoes. Cover grill and cook until cheese starts to melt, about 4 minutes.
3. Transfer sandwiches to a platter. Put 2 basil leaves over each sandwich and drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp. oil and the vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
From Sunset July 2009
April Showers Bring May Flowers: Flowers Around the Patio
Posted: April 29, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Living Leave a comment »As we prepare to head into the month of May, we can’t help but admire the colorful blooms popping up around the garden. Here are a few of our favorite ways to incorporate flowers on and around the patio:
We love the way flowers line this Mega Arbel walkway.
BelAir wall block creates a beautiful enclosed garden space perfect for a pop of color.
Potted plants along the stairs add extra charm to this outdoor space.
The natural texture of Mega Arbel pavers pair perfectly with this natural oasis.
Splashes of color appear throughout this patio in both planted and potted flowers.
Celtik retaining walls create an ideal venue for adding color to a backyard.
Make a statement by adding a potted plant on top of Belgard columns.
Get Inspired by the Belgard Idea Book
Posted: April 22, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Living, Pavers 2 Comments »
Every homeowner has their own personal style when it comes to their outdoor living space. If you prefer an organic appearance, your style can be described as natural. If you’re drawn to the traditional, timeless look, your style is characterized as classic. If you like a contemporary appeal with clean lines and distinct looks, you likely have a transitional style. Whether it’s natural, classic or transitional, Belgard has designs and colors to fit any aesthetic and every lifestyle.
From amenities and features, to paver colors and styles, and even recipes for entertaining outdoors, the Belgard Idea Book provides advice on designing and enjoying the perfect outdoor retreat. You’ll learn tips such as what patterns help to make an area look more spacious, and what paver colors coordinate best with your home’s style.
Visit belgard.biz/request for a FREE Idea Book to help you get started.
Contractor’s Corner: How to Become a Belgard Authorized Contractor
Posted: April 15, 2013 Filed under: Belgard News, Contractor's Corner, Pavers Leave a comment »Contractors play a pivotal role in helping homeowners bring their outdoor living visions to life. Each month, we’ll offer a Contractor’s Corner post to share tips to help our contractor partners offer even more to homeowners and their landscapes.
15,000 sq. ft. of Belgard pavers installed
We love our contractors and that’s why we want to help them and their business succeed. Our Belgard Authorized Contractor program offers a number of benefits including listing on our online search tool, the Belgard Rewards program, the Belgard Tool Kit including the Preferred Payment Program and other sales tools. We also back any product installed by an Authorized Contractor with our lifetime warranty.
The next question is, how do you become a Belgard Authorized Contractor? We take our BAC qualification very seriously because we only want the best for our homeowners. All contractors looking to become a BAC must complete the following requirements:
- Be recommended by a Belgard Authorized Dealer or Sales Rep based on an acceptable credit standing
- Provide documentation for at least one ICPI certified staff member
- Satisfy three of the following:
– 15,000 sq. ft. of Belgard pavers installed
– Installation of two vehicular applications
– Successfully use polymeric sand on five projects
– Installation of ten paver projects
- Provide proof of insurance
- Provide proof of home improvement or state license if state required
- Workmanship guaranteed for at least two years
- Belgard inspected project (Minimum installed for 1 year)
- Belgard inspected project under construction (Verify ICPI installation guidelines)
- Understand status will be reviewed every 12 months
In addition to the initial requirements, all BACs must submit to these yearly requirements:
- Install 15,000 SF of Belgard Pavers
- Attend a minimum of 1 continuing education program offered by Belgard
- Place BAC logo on business cards, letterhead, or website
- Submit to a yearly review by a Belgard Representative
Once you’re part of the Belgard family, we’ll help you with the tools for success in making your business grow.
For more information on becoming a Belgard Authorized Contractor, visit http://belgard.biz/docs/bac_requirements.pdf. To find a Belgard Authorized Contractor, visit http://belgard.biz/contractors_search.php.
Outdoor Entertaining Tip of the Month: Golden State Fish Tacos
Posted: April 8, 2013 Filed under: Recipes for Company, Tip of the Month Leave a comment »Start the outdoor season with a creative new recipe for fish tacos. These light, refreshing Golden State Fish Tacos are the perfect meal to enjoy on your patio. The delicious ripe avocado paired with fresh, zesty lemon will perk up your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Ingredients
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Zest of 1 lemon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 pounds boned, skinned halibut fillets (1 in. thick), cut into 1 1/2-in. chunks
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 to 14 corn tortillas (5 to 6 in.), warmed on grill
3 cups iceberg lettuce cut in fine shreds
Avocado and Salted Lemon Salad
Yogurt Sauce
Preparation
1. Heat grill to high (450° to 550°). Mix seasonings in a small bowl. Put halibut on a rimmed baking sheet; coat with oil. Sprinkle with seasonings. Thread fish on 6 to 8 slender metal skewers. Oil cooking grate, using tongs and a wad of oiled paper towels.
2. Grill fish, covered, turning once, until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes total. Fill tortillas with lettuce, fish, and salad. Serve with yogurt sauce.
From Sunset September 2010
