03/24/2026
I love the movie Groundhog Day…and this one felt a little too real.
Ever feel like you’re living the same day twice? Déjà vu hit hard on this project.
We had to install this driveway…twice.
The location and uniqueness of this build pushed me to hire a local, new excavating company. Most of my trusted subtrades are making the trip, but mobilizing heavy equipment just didn’t seem cost-effective at the time (or so I thought 🤦♂️).
Unfortunately, the first contractor didn’t have the experience to get it done right, or maybe it’s just how they do it “‘round here.” Improper base prep, poor compaction & no geofabric was very apparent from the start. And the truth is, when the foundation isn’t right, nothing on top of it will last…even a driveway. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take on any of my builds.
So I made the call to stop everything. No framing. No materials. Travel cancellations. Non-refundable lodging for my crews. Missed time with my kids and their sports. But moving forward without fixing it the right way just isn’t in my DNA.
We brought in a true professional, tore it out, and started from scratch. Proper grading, correct base, solid compaction…done the way it should’ve been the first time.
It cost time. It cost money. But cutting corners costs more.