Digging Deep for Success: How to Start Your Own Excavating Business

In the dynamic world of excavation, one inspiring success story stands out: the journey of Michael Simon, a seasoned entrepreneur who transformed his passion for small tractors into a thriving excavating business. Based in Derby, Indiana, Mike’s company, Dirt Perfect, is an example of an excavation business that started small and grew. Let’s delve into his invaluable insights, which can serve as a guide for aspiring excavating business owners.

Related: Guide to starting an excavating business

Key Insights for Starting an Excavating Business:

1. Starting Small and Growing Methodically: Mike’s experience underscores the importance of starting small and growing your business gradually. By carefully acquiring equipment piece by piece, he ensured control from day one and avoided overwhelming himself with excessive financial burdens. This deliberate approach allowed him to scale his business without compromising stability.

Quote: “Start small, learn from the mistakes on a small scale, and then scale up.”

2. Capitalizing on Individual Skills and Assets: Mike’s story highlights the significance of leveraging personal skills and assets when entering the excavating business. Whether it’s mechanical expertise or financial resources, identifying and utilizing these strengths can be pivotal in establishing a solid foundation for your venture. Mike’s background in software engineering provided him with financial stability and a knack for equipment maintenance, while others may possess different strengths to tap into.

Quote: “Look at your assets. It’s not just about money. Identify your strengths and use them to your advantage. Your unique skills and resources can shape your path to success.”

3. Approach to Bidding Jobs and Pricing: Understanding how to bid jobs effectively and price services is a critical aspect of running an excavating business. Mike shares his approach, emphasizing the importance of bidding rather than charging by the hour. By providing a fixed price for a project, customers gain clarity and confidence, while excavators can account for their skillset and expertise when determining pricing. Adjusting bids based on experience helps establish a fair playing field for both parties.

Quote: “If you told them [the customers] $500, they would have been happiest. You would have confidently said a figure, and nine times out of ten, you can learn to overestimate. That’s a benefit to the customer and the excavator.”

Inspiring Conclusion: Starting a business can be a daunting endeavor, but Mike’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring excavating business owners. His story highlights the importance of strategic growth, leveraging individual strengths, and implementing a thoughtful approach to pricing. Remember, starting small, using your unique skills and resources, and bidding jobs wisely can set the stage for success.

Now is the time to embark on your own entrepreneurial path. Let Mike’s experiences guide you, propelling you forward with confidence and determination. Take the first step towards your excavating business dream and witness the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and smart decision-making. The excavating industry awaits your potential success story.

More information on Dirt Perfect can be found on the company website