Some people fall into construction because it’s in demand. Others choose it because they’re wired to build. For Matthew Blanche, founder of Epic Interlock & Landscape, hardscaping was never “just” a trade. To him, it’s the rare type of work where his artistic craftsmanship has a true impact on the members of his community.
Why Matthew Blanche Chose Hardscaping in the First Place
“I’ve always liked building things that people use every day,” Matthew tells us. “Hardscaping is the perfect mix of craftsmanship and problem-solving.” What hooked him was the process and how the results change how homeowners use their property. “At the end of a project, you can stand back and see something real that changes how a family lives in their outdoor space.”
And then, of course, there’s the moment that confirms the work mattered. “There’s honestly nothing more satisfying than seeing people gushing over something that we created with our own hands.”
The Moment Matthew Knew He Wanted to Build His Own Company
Building is one thing; running a business is a whole other skillset. For Matthew, the bigger vision formed early as well: not just doing great work but doing it inside a company that felt different from what he’d seen before.
“I knew pretty early on that I wanted to build something of my own,” he explains. The reason was straightforward and personal. “I had worked for a lousy company before, and I wanted to change that narrative.”
For him, ownership wasn’t about freedom, necessarily. It was about raising the standard and protecting the people doing it. “I wanted to create a place where the standard is high every single time, the customer experience matters, and our team is genuinely happy, respected, and able to live a balanced life.”
The Early Lessons That Shaped Epic Interlock’s Standard of Excellence
The hard parts are what most customers never see, as well as the internal drive it takes to deliver consistent quality. In the early days of Epic Interlock, Matthew learned quickly that strong intentions don’t replace strong execution.
“The biggest lessons were: don’t cut corners, don’t guess on details, and communicate more than you think you need to,” he says. The work demanded not only effort, but it demanded discipline. “I also learned fast that great work requires great systems, clear expectations, and the right team around you.”
What “Doing the Job Right” Means When it Comes to Interlock Work
Those lessons mentioned above hardened into a philosophy: The visible result is only as good as what’s underneath it. In interlock and hardscape work, that idea is as literal as it is metaphorical.
“To me, doing it right means [that even] the part you don’t see is done perfectly,” he says. That starts below grade with “Proper base prep, proper compaction, correct grading and drainage.” It continues through the finishing touches that separate decent work from precise work using “clean cuts, tight lines, and solid edge restraint.”
The goal, for Matthew, is never surface-level aesthetics. “It should look great, but it should also perform through our seasons for years.”
How Field Experience Shapes How Epic Runs Projects Today
That insistence on fundamentals isn’t something our founder learned from a manual. It came from being hands-on in the field long enough to understand what fails, why it fails, and how preventable most of it is.
“Working in the field taught me what actually matters on a jobsite: planning, prep, and accountability,” he says. Today, he runs Epic with what he calls “a field-first mindset,” focused on ensuring crews have “what they need to do excellent work, and that we never rush past the details.”
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Contact Us TodayHow Epic Makes Results Last Long-Term, Not Just Look Good on Day One
A patio can look great on day one and still be built wrong. Epic’s standard is that it has to hold up when the first winter hits, and the next one, and the next.
“We focus on the fundamentals: excavation depth, a properly built and compacted base, correct slope for drainage, and the right restraints and jointing,” he states. “If the foundation is right, the finished product holds up, not just in photos, but year after year.”
How His Approach to Materials and Installation Has Evolved
As Epic Interlock has grown, Matthew’s approach to materials and installation has matured too, but not in a trend-chasing way. It’s become more precise and site-specific.
“Experience taught me that the ‘right’ material depends on the site and how the space will be used,” he explains. “Over time, we’ve become more deliberate about matching materials to the job, and we’ve tightened up our process, so the finish is consistent and the performance is reliable.”
The Real Challenges of Running a High-Standard Hardscaping Business
The pursuit of unwavering consistency can’t be easy. Matthew guarantees repeatable quality regardless of weather, scheduling constraints, or site complexity and upholding this standard is also where ownership gets hard. And he doesn’t pretend otherwise.
“The biggest challenges are managing time and priorities while still protecting quality,” he says. “Scheduling, weather, and keeping everything moving smoothly, while staying on top of communication and making sure every job meets our standard.”
Matthew’s Reason to Keep Going
Undoubtedly, owning a business with such precise standards can be difficult, but the rewards far outweigh the risks. Matthew’s “favourite part is seeing a client’s reaction when the space is finished, and knowing we built it the right way,” he shares. But the pride isn’t only external. He’s building something internally too. “I also love building a team culture where people take pride in their work and keep improving.”
What Our Founder Wants Customers to Know Before Hiring Epic Interlock
In a category where homeowners often worry about being rushed, upsold, or left in the dark, Mattew wants Epic to feel unmistakably different, because that was the whole point of starting it.
“I want customers to know we take this personally,” he says. “We’re not here to rush through a project. We’re here to build it the right way, communicate clearly, and deliver an experience and a result that we’d be proud to put our name on.”
Enjoy Our Beautiful Craftsmanship For Yourself
Serving Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby, Ajax, Courtice, Bowmanville, and surrounding Durham Region communities, we love helping families create outdoor spaces where they can relax, entertain, and make lasting memories. At Epic Interlock & Landscape, we believe a well-designed backyard is more than just an upgrade, it’s an investment in your home, your lifestyle, and the time you spend with the people who matter most. If you’re ready to transform your space, contact us today, we’d be proud to help bring your vision to life.
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