From Slipping Schedules to a Scalable Growth Platform
The engagement concluded with a comprehensive Operational Assessment, redesigned roles and responsibilities, a full Operations Manual, and a team equipped to increase capacity by 50%+ — all delivered through six months of hands-on design and implementation support.
CLIENT
Apex Pavers & Pools has serviced South Florida for over two decades, designing and building complete pool installations, renovations, marble pool decks, paver driveways, walkways, retaining walls, and more. Based in Stuart, FL with annual revenue exceeding $10M.
CHALLENGE
Despite sustained growth, Apex was experiencing slipping project schedules, increasing customer complaints, and declining profitability. Ownership had ambitions to increase sales 50% over three to five years but recognized organizational and operational challenges had to be resolved first.
RESULTS
Ascent delivered an Operational Assessment examining 20+ facets of the business, then led six months of Operational Design and implementation — resulting in redesigned roles, balanced workloads, an Operations Manual, increased accountability, and capacity to handle increased project volume with improved customer satisfaction.
Has business growth has brought operational pain?
The Ascent Difference
We assessed over 20 facets of the business, then designed and implemented the operational changes that turned slipping schedules and declining margins into a scalable platform for 50%+ growth.
Apex Pavers & Pools had built a successful business over two decades in South Florida. Growth had been steady, and ownership had ambitions to increase sales by an additional 50% over the next three to five years. But the operational reality told a different story: project schedules were slipping, customer complaints were increasing, and profitability was declining.
Owner Ryan Figman recognized something that many construction business owners face at this stage: you can’t grow your way out of operational problems. Increasing sales without fixing the foundation just amplifies the pain. Before Apex could confidently increase capacity, they needed to resolve the organizational and operational challenges that were undermining their current performance.
Ascent began with a deep-dive assessment, then moved into hands-on design and implementation. Our engagement included:
- Comprehensive Operational Assessment examining 20+ business facets
- Four-day on-site discovery workshops and staff interviews
- Roles and responsibilities redesign with balanced workloads
- Operations Manager recruitment and training support
- Six months of Operational Design and implementation support
- Deliverable: Comprehensive Operations and Training Manual with process diagrams and Quick Reference Guides
“Ascent’s insight into not only the business, but also the people and personalities that make up the business, exceeded our expectations. Their findings confirmed and gave voice to things I had been thinking.”
— Ryan Figman
Owner, Apex Pavers & Pools
Following Ascent’s guided changes, Apex’s leadership was able to shift focus to sales and business development — confident that the operational foundation could support increased volume. Staff reported appreciation for the process, noting that clarified roles, balanced workloads, and increased accountability made their daily work more effective and satisfying.
Sales were on track to outpace the previous year, the construction department had the capacity to deliver on increased project volume, pool construction activities were coordinated and performed as scheduled, and customer satisfaction greatly improved. The Operations Manual serves as an ongoing reference guide for both current and future employees.
For specialty contractors who have built successful businesses on craftsmanship and client relationships, hitting an operational ceiling is frustrating because the work is still good — the systems just can’t keep up. The companies that break through don’t just hire more people; they redesign how the work flows through the organization. That’s the difference between growing revenue and growing profitability.
Ready to grow without the growing pains?
If your construction company’s growth ambitions are being held back by operational challenges, let’s talk about how Ascent’s Operational Assessment and Design process can build the platform for your next phase.