Increased Demand for Backyard Pools Gives Landscaper an Edge

Published on January 21, 2021

Running a successful landscaping company takes imagination. Where some may see a bleak backyard, Andrew Weilbacher sees a potential outdoor oasis. And when a global pandemic saw demand for his services skyrocket, there was only one machine brand he depended on to bring his customers’ dreams to life.

“This turned out to be our busiest summer yet,” says business owner Andrew Weilbacher of Weilbacher Landscaping Pools LLC. “A lot of families realized public pools were shut down, so they wanted to install their own to keep their kids busy throughout the summer. We went from giving probably three or four pool bids a night to suddenly being booked out until the following year.”  The crew demoed a new R2-Series E50 mini excavator and an R-Series T76 compact track loader while working on this backyard pool. 

Running a successful landscaping company takes imagination. Where some may see a bleak backyard, Andrew Weilbacher sees a potential outdoor oasis.  

“I like watching a project come together,” says Andrew, owner of Weilbacher Landscaping Pools LLC. “We tackle all kinds of landscaping projects, from smaller landscaping jobs to total redesigns or pool installations. Odds are if it’s landscaping-related, we can do it.”  

This can-do attitude, an unshakeable work ethic and a few hard-earned client connections helped Andrew kickstart his company at age 19.   

“I’ve always enjoyed working outside. After I finished high school, I worked for two landscaping companies, and I graduated college with a degree in construction management,” he says. “By the time I left school, the housing market was booming. My dad has experience in that area, so I saw it as an opportunity. I made business cards and worked for some of Dad’s clients he’d built houses for in the past. We started with smaller jobs, but soon I was getting busier and busier. I hired one guy, then two guys; and 20 years later here we are with a full crew taking on a wide range of projects.”

The right equipment – including an E50 mini excavator they demoed at this pool project – helps Andrew Weilbacher and his crew keep jobsites tight and efficient. 

Building pools and more pools 

With 20 years of experience under his belt, Andrew is skilled at adjusting his company’s services to match the needs of his customers and the landscaping industry. But when COVID-19 hit in the spring of 2020, he didn’t know what to expect.  

“Before the pandemic, we were just getting fired up for the season,” he says. “We kicked things off at the beginning of March, so we had two pool sites going and new job requests were coming in. But once word got out that the virus had reached the States, all our calls came to a halt. My only thought was that I had to keep my crew busy. We were finishing up those pool jobs, working on the shop and holding out hope that this would pass quickly.” 

Like many business owners, Andrew and his crew were preparing for the worst. But a few weeks into the shutdown, something surprising happened.  

“By the third week, our phone started ringing again. Not only that, but the calls were flooding in,” he says. “I was surprised because this turned out to be our busiest summer yet. A lot of families realized public pools were shut down, so they wanted to install their own to keep their kids busy throughout the summer. We went from giving probably three or four pool bids a night to suddenly being booked out until the following year.”  

“I like watching a project come together,” says Andrew Weilbacher. “We tackle all kinds of landscaping projects, from smaller landscaping jobs to total redesigns or pool installations. Odds are if it’s landscaping-related, we can do it.” The crew demoed a new R2-Series E50 mini excavator and an R-Series T76 compact track loader while working on this backyard pool. 

It’s all about the right equipment 

With business at an all-time high, Andrew was determined to deliver the same high-quality service his customers had come to expect. To reach that goal, he needed the right equipment and the right crew.  

“We’re a smaller operation. I’ve found that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to your crew,” he says. “Whenever we have six or more guys, there are always a few standing around. So we’re not necessarily getting much more done even with a larger crew. I have three guys now, and we do one pool every other week. It works out pretty well for us to stay small and skilled.”  

The right equipment helps Andrew keep his crews small and efficient – exactly the way he likes to run his jobsites.  

“The way I look at it, why would I spend $50,000 on a guy who is standing around all year, when I can put that money toward a machine? It can get a lot more done, and it shows up for work every day when I need it,” he says. 

Pool installations are one of the company’s most popular requests. Work typically begins with the crew using their E55 mini excavator to excavate the jobsite.

Meeting the COVID-19 pool demand 

Having all their jobs lined up until the summer of 2021 means Andrew and his crew need machines they can count on. With the help of their equipment fleet, including two Bobcat T650 compact track loaders and an E55 compact excavator, they have the maneuverability and versatility needed to keep customer satisfaction high.  

“We use the T650s and the E55 pretty regularly on our pool installation jobs,” he says. “We’re also getting ready to buy an MT85 mini track loader, because they’re good machines that fit in everybody’s backyard. We want equipment that can work wherever it’s needed and do a lot of different jobs as well. One day we may need it for a retaining wall and the next day we may need it for a pool installation. These machines are great because they’re very universal.”  

Pool installations are one of the company’s most popular requests. When installing a pool, Andrew and his crew use the E55 excavator to excavate the jobsite. If site constraints prevent loading the dirt directly into a dump truck, Andrew’s crew brings in their T650 track loaders to haul the soil from the backyard to the truck for removal. Once the pool is completely dug out, the crew adds gravel to the base, compacts it and pours concrete before finishing out the sides  

“I really like the pilot controls on the T650,” he says. “I have a little pain in one of my knees, so the pilot controls are nice because it makes operation effortless. It’s also nice that the equipment is so easy to work on. We can handle all the routine maintenance, and I’ve never been in danger of a breakdown. It keeps us working.”  

With jobs lined up for the next year, Andrew needs equipment that can help them provide the high-quality service his customers expect.  

“People like that we’re a smaller company. They like that I’m on the jobsite and that I take pride in our work,” he says. “At the end of the day, we want to help our customer’s vision for their property come to life. I’ve always loved working in the dirt, so it works out.”  

Want more inspiration to start your own business? Read other company success stories on the Bobcat Blog.

More Recent Stories

View All Stories
The Bobcat Brand Evolution Bobcat PG40 Portable Generator Against a White Background

The Bobcat Brand Evolution

Discover the Bobcat Brand evolution of our product equipment lineup expansion with portable power, industrial air, forklifts, and turf renovation to accomplish more.
Jessie Hamilton Breaks Stereotypes with Bobcat Equipment Jessie Hamilton Speaks With a Co-Worker From the Cab of a Bobcat E60 Compact Excavator

Jessie Hamilton Breaks Stereotypes with Bobcat Equipment

Jessie Hamilton, a heavy equipment operator for Schutte Excavating operates Bobcat equipment with unmatched expertise and finesse. She would have never taken hold of the controls if she’d accepted the status quo.
Josh Duhamel Creates Food Plot for Hunting with Bobcat Equipment Josh Duhamel Talks With his Neighbor Don About Hunting Deer Next to His Bobcat UV34 Utility Vehicle

Josh Duhamel Creates Food Plot for Hunting with Bobcat Equipment

Experience the vision and dream Josh Duhamel had to create a food plot for hunting land on his lake property with Bobcat equipment and follow his hunting adventures.
Restoring Family Roots: Robert Lazenby Reclaims a Legacy Robert Lazenby stands in front of his Bobcat UV34XL utility vehicle on his historic family farm.

Restoring Family Roots: Robert Lazenby Reclaims a Legacy

Find out how Robert Lazenby used Bobcat equipment, including his Bobcat mini track loader, compact excavator and compact track loader and utility vehicle, to restore his long-neglected family farm.
Tree Business Branches Out with Help from Bobcat Equipment A Bobcat loader and excavator work to removed downed trees.

Tree Business Branches Out with Help from Bobcat Equipment

Discover how Chad Benton the owner of East TN Tree Service Inc., literally started his business by hand, no machines and now has a fleet of Bobcat equipment.
Triple T Excavating Soars on Solar with Bobcat Fleet Brandon Trimborn with his family on site at Triple T Excavating

Triple T Excavating Soars on Solar with Bobcat Fleet

Experience Triple T Excavating’s triumph over adversity using cutting-edge technology and a determination fueled by family with their Bobcat equipment fleet.
U.S. Veterans and Bobcat Leaders at Pheasant Bonanza Four Pheasant Bonanza participants pose with the day’s harvest.

U.S. Veterans and Bobcat Leaders at Pheasant Bonanza

Discover how Bobcat teamed up with veteran organizations and Pheasant Bonanza Hunting Club to provide these heroes with an adventure and fellowship outdoors.
Celebrating 65 Years of Groundbreakers at CONEXPO 2023  Bobcat Booth Featuring Platinum Series T86 Compact Track Loader

Celebrating 65 Years of Groundbreakers at CONEXPO 2023

Bobcat unleashed 65 years of groundbreaking ingenuity and empowerment by unveiling the brand’s newest equipment, innovations and digital solutions at CONEXPO 2023.
40+ Years of Success with Family Values & Bobcat Equipment A Lewis Straus Construction crew member operates a Bobcat mini track loader at an indoor jobsite.

40+ Years of Success with Family Values & Bobcat Equipment

Discover how Lewis Straus Construction has successfully thrived for almost 40 years with Bobcat’s innovative equipment, excellent service and industry expertise.
Josh Duhamel Builds Legacy at Lake with Bobcat Equipment Josh Duhamel standing in the forest, gazing off into the distance.

Josh Duhamel Builds Legacy at Lake with Bobcat Equipment

Josh Duhamel is carving a legacy in the Minnesota lake wilderness with Bobcat Equipment, by building a family getaway for the generations to enjoy after him.

What’s Your Bobcat Story?

Taking on big, ambitious challenges is what being One Tough Animal® is all about. Tell us how Bobcat empowers or inspires you to accomplish more. Whether it’s at work, at play or in life, share your story with us.

Share Your Story