Thank you for a job well done. You have exceeded our expectations. Whether it was the office team, the on site excavation team, or the subcontractors, it was a terrific experience. This is a wonderful family-owned business.
The office team (Joyce, Theresa, Jen, Stephanie) were very knowledgeable, which is not surprising since some of them have been equipment operators as well. They were fun, polite, responsive to my questions, and sensitive to my scheduling needs. They supported me from project estimation to contract inception and through the last inspection.
In the field it was immediately apparent that the excavation team works well together. They laugh together. They help each other. I saw times when one noticed that another needed something and ran (literally ran) to help him.
Team work doesn't fall in place by accident. It is something created by the leadership. Roy, owner of Aaron Excavating, provides that leadership. He expects a lot from his team and those he contracts with. He asks them to be professional, respectful, and good at what they do. He also does whatever is needed to complete the job, even if that means he has to dig with a shovel himself. It's evident that he never asks his guys to do anything he wouldn't do. He's also skilled at teaching, whether it's one of his guys or one of the interns that does the inspections. And they all work harder because of that.
Roy is also an astute business owner. He leaves nothing to chance so he can complete the job on time and within the budget he set. He owns and can operate all the equipment needed to complete a septic job. That means while other excavators wait for a subcontractor to provide a vehicle to lift, move, pump, dig or grade, Aaron Excavating owns the equipment and does not have to wait on another's schedule. Even if there is a setback, he has positioned his company to respond and manage through. For example, the tanks were supposed to be lifted by another company. That company was backed up, so Roy figured out a way to use his own equipment to do the same work, keeping the project on schedule. As a result, our new septic was installed in just under a week. That was about half the time estimated by other contractors.
I contracted with one of the area's best septic engineers, and he recommended Aaron Excavating to do the work. Roy showed real talent when he read my engineer's plans, spotted ways to improve it, and save us money in the process. The engineer approved all changes, and agreed that Roy was one of the best at excavating work.
Of course Roy's most enjoyable talent is when he is digging in the dirt. There cannot be anyone better. The backhoe becomes an extension of him.
As a professional project manager for decades at a major US corporation I recognize excellent teams and value them when I get to work with them. When a project is properly run, everything just seems easier - pieces fall into place without a struggle; the crew anticipates each next step; there is no waiting for a slow person to complete their task, etc.
Thanks for making this a good experience for us. read more