Two contractors can quote the same scope and still deliver very different schedules. One of the quiet reasons is equipment: who owns it, who maintains it, and how quickly a replacement machine can be on site when something changes.
DiFabio Construction Company runs its own fleet of backhoes, tracked and wheeled excavators, skid steers and bulldozers, and keeps that equipment in working order in our own shop. Here is what that means for the people we work for.
Fewer gaps between tasks
A typical excavation job moves through several stages: removal, clearing, grading, trenching, backfill. Each stage favors a different machine. When the contractor owns the machines, the next one can be brought in as soon as the crew is ready for it instead of when a rental yard has one free.
Maintenance on our own terms
Equipment that sits on a job all day takes a beating. Keeping it in our own shop means routine service happens on our schedule and problems are dealt with by people who know each machine. A breakdown on site is far less likely to turn into a lost week.
Ready for emergencies
When a water main breaks or a sewer line fails, there is no time to shop for equipment. Our 24/7 emergency response depends on having machines and material ready to go, and we keep equipment and material at our facility specifically for emergencies.
Matching the machine to the site
A tight residential street, a downtown block and an open industrial lot all call for different equipment sizes. Owning a range of machines lets us pick the one that fits the site rather than making the site fit whatever machine is available. A smaller machine on a narrow street means less disruption for neighbors and less risk to trees, curbs and lines nearby.
What to ask any contractor
Whoever you hire, it is reasonable to ask whether the main equipment for your job is owned or rented, and who maintains it. It is one of the questions in our list of questions to ask before hiring an excavation contractor.
Planning work in New Jersey? Request a free estimate or call (908) 276-1347.
