LANDSCAPING CROSS-SELLING OPPORTUNITIES
Peter Beaumont, director at Monty Miracle, looks at how Autumn landscaping provides the best time for merchants to cross-sell.
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utumn is generally considered the best time of year for landscaping work.
The soil remains warm from
Summer but a rise in rainfall means it provides a better base for new plants to get established. That ground is also ideal for securing new fencing or outdoor structures, as it remains workable before freezing in winter. The cooler climate makes it perfect for hardscaping: the stronger heat of summer can cause some decking materials to contract and expand, but temperatures are still relatively stable at the start of Autumn, making this time of year optimal for decking as well as patios, paving, and other structural landscaping builds. This will have a direct impact on builders’ merchants as the tools are required to deliver on these tasks. But the tasks are not completed upon installation. Maintenance is part of the process of installation - effective exterior protection for new hardscaping is vital. For existing structures, there is also the need to restore, repair and protect exterior surfaces before the harsher winter weather arrives. This is really important: not just to preserve
appearances, but also to extend surface lifespan. Any damage to paths, walls and fences will soon be discovered by the ice and frost in Winter. Small cracks can be filled with water which freezes and expands. Holes and splintered materials can soon fill with organic growth like moss and algae, which will quickly develop
and increase the size of weaker spots. Initial protection and then regular maintenance is essential to preserve the appearance and longevity of any hard surface. We recommend a thorough clean at least twice a year, including brushing away debris, removing weeds, and applying a specialist softwashing solution like Monty Miracle. This process restores the material’s natural appearance without causing damage, helping hardscaped areas look their best throughout the year. It also creates an excellent additional sales opportunity for merchants, as paths, patios, driveways and decked areas can be created from a wide range of materials and each one responds to the weather - and to cleaning – differently. Natural stone paving will last for years. It’s
Boughton Loam delivers at scale B
oughton Loam Ltd has introduced a comprehensive range of high- quality topsoil, bark, play woodchip, and turf to the U.K builders’
merchant market. Available nationwide in both 500 litre bulk bags and convenient polypropylene packaging, the range offers flexibility and ease of handling across all branch operations.
Boughton’s production capacity and guaranteed stock position all year round enables the business to offer merchants a dependable, high-quality supply with immediate availability.
Combined with natural soil materials sourced directly at the production site, Boughton is positioned to deliver both consistent product quality and offer market-leading pricing to the builders’ merchant sector. The company is further strengthened by the backing of British Sugar and its parent company, The Bennie
Group, ensuring long-term stability and ongoing investment in product excellence. Boughton is already supplying a growing number of customers across the U.K, demonstrating strong demand for its products and confidence in its service proposition. Businesses that have adopted Boughton as a trusted supplier across multiple branches are benefiting from consistent quality, competitive pricing, and reliable delivery performance and a proven and scalable solution. BMJ
September 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
important that customers are familiar with the different type of stone they are using as they are all very different. While all stones differ, they all need to be protected and washed with a gentle soft approach.
Wooden decking can get particularly slippy and unsightly if organic growth builds up - and when damaged, it can become a risk for pests getting in. A gently cleaning approach is best to avoid splintering the wood. This applies to fencing as well as decking: powerful jetwashing could do more harm than good. As wooden fences and decks are installed or repaired in Autumn, the right cleaning products can be sold alongside other tools to ensure longevity and end user satisfaction – and more sales.
Back to brick
Brick means more gaps to consider so careful cleaning is a must, and sealant needs to be reapplied every few years, providing another upselling opportunity if builders are creating brick driveways or paths for their customers. Regular brushing between the bricks is needed to discourage any dirt or growth buildup, so the right kind of cleaning tools can be cross- marketed along with cleaning products. Items such as gloves, brushes, hoses, dispensing pumps and specialist cleaning solutions are all essential for helping customers - and their clients - care for paths, decking, driveways and patio areas.
Gardener’s World says that Autumn is the most important season for the garden. As professionals are busy providing building and gardening services for their customers, merchants can make the most of this opportunity to cross market and upsell. By providing practical guidance and a complete during and aftercare solution, there is the opportunity to increase the size of sales, strengthen customer loyalty and unlock ongoing revenue opportunities. BMJ
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