Over 250 inspiring images and engaging text cover the techniques necessary to successful sculpt any hillside and enhance backyards with concrete. Contractors will feel empowered to unleash their inner artists. Designers will become inspired to create hillside expanses. Among the projects explored are beautiful, curved stairways, lit walls, raised patios, fire pits, and built-in seating that transform bland backyard slopes into view-commanding getaways. Further inspiration is provided by a gallery of spectacular completed projects. For the contractor, Ralston shares wisdom from years of business experience and training to help readers navigate the various challenges they face. The author explains design development, bid building, and suggests how to translate those into contracts. Also emphasised here are ways to make projects profitable by keeping them in line with the initial bid. Also reviewed are ways to keep clients happy by involving them throughout the project, and how to document your work as you go. AUTHOR: Tom Ralston is a third generation concrete contractor. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California Santa Cruz and has been running Tom Ralston Concrete since 1989 with 4 divisions including Structural, Decorative, Masonry, and Specialty Concrete. Tom owns a product company named Pacific Palette Concrete Products and also started The Lumi Lumi Company that sells revolutionary glow in the dark concrete products. Tom's passion has been in decorative and specialty concrete as well as in business development including designing his own company database which helps him manage both potential projects and day to day field operations. His recognised expertise has allowed him the opportunity to share his knowledge through both seminars and hands on training since 1995. Tom's first book 'Cast-In-Place Concrete Countertops' was published by Schiffer Publishing in 2008. In his usual fashion, Tom offers pearls of wisdom for contractors and designers alike who wish to emulate his success. 253 colour photographs
