The COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point for Eric Yarbrough. He left his construction project manager job and, with his wife, Brittney, launched E & B Dirt Works in Rogersville, Alabama.
While starting a business during a pandemic might seem risky, for them it was perfect timing. The nearby Huntsville area’s construction boom fueled their early success: New businesses and bustling jobsites line Highway 72 and Interstate 565.
“I think the biggest success we’ve had for our business is my wife pushing me to get the business started,” Eric said. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have started it. She does our payroll, paperwork, invoices and digital marketing. She does all the work that nobody gets credit for.”
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A Lifetime in Construction
After growing up in the construction industry, Eric (now 35) was inspired by his father’s excavation business to launch his own contracting company.
“I was previously a project manager at a big construction company,” Eric recalled. “I had been there for nine years, and I was getting burnt out. I was working way too much.”
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further complicated things, with social distancing measures making Eric’s job significantly more stressful and difficult. It was during this challenging time that Eric and Brittney decided to take the leap and establish their own company.
After an initial slow period, business boomed for E & B Dirt Works. Eric’s expertise in operating equipment and managing projects proved a winning combination.
“Having previously worked as a project manager proved invaluable, particularly in aspects such as bidding, managing spreadsheets and job tracking,” Eric said. “During my time as a project manager, I handled a lot of civil work. Often, I initiated projects from the ground up, and I did the dirt work. Then, I would oversee the structural side until the job was complete.”
E & B Dirt Works found success in land clearing, excavating, grading and site prep for new construction sites. The growing workload soon necessitated Eric seeking help to manage the expanding project roster.
“I’d call my dad and ask if he could help me on a job,” Eric said. “He came and helped me, and because he’s been in this industry for 30 years, he gets a lot of calls. Now he refers them directly to me.”
To keep pace with the surging demand for earthmoving services, Eric and Brittney expanded their workforce, adding equipment operators and dump truck drivers.
“We’re experiencing steady growth,” Eric explained, “but we’re not aiming for rapid expansion. We want to maintain control and quality. Managing a larger company can be overwhelming. Our target is to have a team of 10 to 15 people, maximum.”
A Client-Focused Company
Having transitioned from project management to entrepreneurship, Eric possesses a keen understanding of the importance of delivering high-quality workmanship from the very beginning. This emphasis on getting the job done right the first time is a core principle that has been ingrained in E & B Dirt Works since its inception.
Quality is nonnegotiable for the company. Eric believes that prioritizing quality not only ensures customer satisfaction but builds long-lasting relationships and establishes the company’s reputation as a reliable contractor in the industry.
“Even though we’re still a young company, I’ve had to follow other businesses like mine and fix mistakes they made because they didn’t take pride in it and really do it,” Eric said. “I’m about good customer satisfaction. If a job takes me longer than I thought it would take, I’ll do it to make the customer happy, because they may recommend our company to someone else.”
Eric and Brittney’s dedication to customer satisfaction shines through in their willingness to go the extra mile to address issues that arise during a project. They understand that unforeseen challenges can sometimes extend a project’s timeline, but client satisfaction remains their top priority.
Equipped for Success
Like many other aspiring construction entrepreneurs, Eric and Brittney began modestly, starting with just a dump truck and a skid-steer loader. As demand increased, they expanded their equipment by acquiring a mini excavator.
As projects grew, however, Eric’s compact equipment became inadequate for the increased workload. He turned to his father once again, who stepped in with a dozer and a larger excavator.
“As we started getting into bigger jobs, our equipment needs evolved,” Eric said. “That’s when I started doing online research, looking for new equipment to replace the older, small machines.”
This research led Eric and Brittney to R&M Equipment Rentals, where they met sales specialist Charles Oden. Charles assessed their equipment needs and recommended the purchase of three machines: a DD100 dozer, a DX225LC-7 crawler excavator and a DX62R-7 mini excavator.
“The DX225LC-7 excavator is a good midsize machine,” Eric said. “It’s big enough to do good-sized work but can still do some smaller work, too. And it’s easy to transport and fast at loading trucks.”
One advantage of purchasing multiple pieces of the same brand, Eric noted, is the convenience of having a single source for parts.
“Until now, I bought what I could afford, and the machines were different brands,” he says. “Every piece of equipment was different. When I needed a part, I had to call a different place and talk to a different person. I could never make a connection with someone.”
Now Eric and Brittney can save time by picking up all their parts at one location.
In the face of unprecedented pandemic challenges, Eric and Brittney Yarbrough’s journey from startup contractors to a well-established firm stands as a testament to their resilience and determination. E & B Dirt Works continues to carve its path in the construction industry, and Eric and Brittney remain dedicated to serving their community and embracing new challenges and opportunities.
