From Dump Truck to $100K Paydays: How South Bay Septic & Excavation is Growing Fast

An Excavation Profits Podcast Feature Story with Ben of South Bay Septic & Excavation

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we’re obsessed with helping excavation and septic contractors grow their business, keep their crews busy, and build something that lasts. That’s exactly why we created the Excavation Profits podcast—so you can hear firsthand from the business owners who are making it happen. No fluff. No hype. Just real stories from the field.

In this edition, Scott Andreasen sat down with Ben, the owner of South Bay Septic & Excavation, who’s been on a wild journey from driving his own dump truck to landing $100K jobs—and now running a growing crew with multiple machines.

A Love for Dirt Work Runs Deep

Ben didn’t stumble into the excavation business—he was raised in it. His dad owned a small dirt work company, and while Ben didn’t take it over immediately, the influence stuck. After years of working in trucking and foundations, he took the long way around before buying his own dump truck. That was three years ago.

Soon after, he bought an excavator. Then a trailer. Then earned his septic installer certification. In just a few short years, Ben went from working hourly gigs to running a full-service excavation and septic business—and he hasn’t looked back since.

Growing from One Machine to a Full Fleet

"I went independent three years ago. Now I’ve got four machines, two trucks, and a couple of trailers. And I’m growing."

Ben made it clear—he’s not trying to build the biggest company around. He’s focused on doing great work for private landowners, especially homeowners developing fresh land. His team is small, but mighty.

With a highly experienced foreman (formerly with one of the area’s biggest septic installers) and two additional crew members, Ben is able to delegate day-to-day operations and focus on bidding and business growth.

Lessons from the Field: Bid It Right

Like most contractors, Ben learned a few hard lessons early on. One of the biggest? Don’t be afraid to bid high—especially when the job is tough on equipment or involves unknowns.

“Don’t be scared to charge what the job is worth. If the work damages equipment—like hauling boulders—you need to charge for it. People respect that if you explain it upfront.”

Ben often separates excavation work and septic installs on larger jobs, charging time and materials for land development to stay profitable when plans change (as they often do).

The Turning Point: Investing in Marketing

Before working with Excavation Marketing Pros, Ben was relying on word of mouth and the occasional HomeAdvisor lead. That changed when he learned how many potential customers in his area were searching online for excavation and septic services.

"You showed me how many people were searching. It blew me away. That's when I knew I needed to take marketing seriously."

Within weeks of launching Facebook ad campaigns and optimizing his website, Ben noticed a huge uptick in quality leads. No more wasting time on tire-kickers. No more bidding after the job had already gone sideways. Ben was now getting in early—consulting on jobs from the start, bidding with confidence, and closing profitable work.

$116K Job in 10 Days: A Real-World Win

One of the biggest wins so far? A demolition project turned full-site prep gig that grossed $116,000 in just over a week. Ben netted nearly $100K on that job alone.

“That was a home run. I bid it high because of potential asbestos issues, and the customer was totally on board. It’s all about being honest upfront.”

Building Trust—and a Great Team

Ben didn’t have to post job ads or chase talent. People wanted to work with him because of his reputation. That’s the power of doing good work and treating people right.

Today, his crew runs with minimal supervision. Ben handles the bids and client communication while his team executes on site. The result? Happier clients, repeat business, and a lot less stress.

Advice for Contractors Ready to Grow

What would Ben tell another excavation or septic contractor who’s stuck or struggling?

"Invest in marketing. That’s the first thing. If you don’t have leads coming in, you’re not moving equipment. Period."

He also stresses the importance of:

• Bidding jobs correctly and not underpricing out of fear.

• Being honest with customers—even when you don’t know something.

• Building trust so clients take your advice and let you lead the project.

What Success Looks Like Next

Ben’s big vision? Buying land, developing it himself, and flipping it for profit.

“That’s the end game for excavation companies—developing your own land. That’s where I’m headed.”

Final Words of Wisdom

If you’re thinking about going independent or growing your excavation business, Ben leaves you with this:

"Do great work. Build your name. And don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth. Most of all, get your marketing in place early. That’s what changed everything for me."

Want to Grow Like Ben?

If you’re an excavation or septic contractor doing real work and ready to grow, Excavation Marketing Pros is here to help. We’ll help you:

• Get quality leads (not junk)

• Build a professional website

• Rank on Google

• Run Facebook and Google ads that work

Visit www.excavationmarketingpros.com to learn more, or book a free strategy call to see how we can help you scale.

Subscribe to the Excavation Profits Podcast Get more stories like Ben’s. Hear from real business owners in the dirt every day. Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

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