From Skid Steer to $6M: Building an Excavation Empire with Andy Garrett

As entrepreneurs, we all start somewhere—usually with a vision, a tool, and a lot of hustle. In one of the episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I sat down with Andy Garrett, founder of Garrett Excavating, to talk about how he grew his company from one skid steer into a $6M operation with multiple crews and a reputation for getting the job done right.

Andy shared some incredible insights about leadership, building a team, and positioning your company to win better jobs, even when you’re not doing every part of the job yourself. Whether you’re just starting your business or already scaling up, his approach is something every blue-collar entrepreneur can learn from. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key takeaways Andy shared in our conversation:

Sell the Full Package — Even If You Subcontract

One of the smartest strategies Andy uses is how he positions Garrett Excavating as a full-service provider, even though they only self-perform certain tasks. “We focus on earthwork and utilities,” he said, “but to the customer, we’re the one-stop shop for everything—driveways, concrete, even tree clearing. We just subcontract the rest.”

Andy mentioned that by owning the full scope of the job and managing subcontractors well, customers get a seamless experience, and his team wins more work without spreading themselves too thin.

Build the Org Chart Before You Need It

Scaling a business isn’t just about getting more work—it’s about building the right team and structure to support it. One of Andy’s biggest lessons was getting serious about creating roles and hiring leaders, even before he felt totally “ready.”

Here’s how his current org chart looks:

• Andy Garrett – President / Owner
  
  
• Director of Ops – Day-to-day field leadership
  
  
• Estimator – Full-time bid manager
  
  
• Project Manager / Superintendent – Combo role (for now)
  
  
• Admin Assistant – Office support
  
  
• 4 Foremen – Crew leaders
  
  
• Field Crews – 20–25 people during peak season
  
  

“I used to wear every hat,” Andy admitted. “Now I’m learning to step back, delegate, and trust my people.” He added that they’re implementing bonus structures and performance tracking to reward results—not just hours worked.

Invest in Equipment That Operators Actually Want

Andy brought up something that’s often overlooked—morale in the field starts with the equipment. “I’ve learned that good operators want to run good machines,” he said. “It’s part of their pride. So if you want to keep great people, give them equipment they’re proud of.”

He mentioned a recent upgrade to a D6 dozer and how one of his guys thanked him multiple times for investing. These decisions pay off in loyalty and performance.

Pay and Benefits That Attract and Retain Talent

Andy was open about compensation and benefits. He believes you don’t have to be the highest-paying company—you just have to take care of your people and create a place they want to stay.

Here’s a look at current pay ranges in his company:

• Operations Manager: $80K–$120K
  
  
• Estimator: $70K–$90K
  
  
• Project Manager (starting out): ~$65K
  
  

And on the benefits side?

“We cover health, dental, and vision,” Andy said. “Everyone gets two weeks PTO, plus we close the week between Christmas and New Year’s.”

He emphasized that these policies reflect the kind of workplace culture he’s trying to build: loyal, stable, and team-first.

Final Advice: Just Get Out There and Serve

When I asked Andy what advice he’d give to someone just getting started—maybe they just bought their first skid steer or landed their first job—he kept it simple and powerful:

“Put yourself out there. Show up. Serve the hell out of people. Even if it’s a small job, blow them away. That’s how you grow.”

He added, “It’s not one big win. It’s a bunch of small wins stacked on top of each other. That’s how we got here.”

Key Takeaways:

• Sell a turnkey service: Own the full job, even if you subcontract some of it. Clients want simplicity.
• Build your team early: Hire leadership roles before you're overwhelmed. Structure matters.‍
• Invest in great equipment: Operators want to run machines they’re proud of—don’t overlook this.‍
• Offer real benefits: You don’t have to outpay the market—just create a solid place to work.‍
• Serve well and grow slow: Start with small wins. Treat every customer like they matter—because they do.

If you’re in the trades or building a local service business from scratch, this episode with Andy Garrett is packed with wisdom from someone who’s in the trenches every day.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast.

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