Dirt Works Unlimited
Your Trusted Excavators for Value Engineering

With just two people and a trusted caterpillar track loader, Dirt Works Unlimited took its first steps as a humble small-scale utility contractor in 2018.

Fast forward to today, the company has transformed into a powerhouse in the excavation industry, boasting over 40 employees and an impressive fleet of more than 70 heavy machines and trucks. It has sustained its toptier status through a dedicated maintenance team.

But its growth isn’t just in numbers. It’s also the countless projects the team has aced across Central Kentucky and Indiana. No matter how big the project is, the firm’s mighty machines and skilled hands are ready to unearth, solidifying its stature as the go-to on-site development contractor of the region.

The team continues to forge its identity in its scale and its versatility. Its expertise is sought-after in diverse sectors, each with distinct requirements and intricacies.

For instance, in the municipal and government arena, Dirt Works Unlimited is the trusted entity for constructing water lines, sewer systems, and storm drainage for local cities and communities. This expertise extends into the private sector as well, where the company constructs the foundational elements of singlefamily homes, multifamily dwellings, apartment complexes, townhomes, and subdivisions. The industrial domain also calls upon Dirt Works Unlimited to erect plants and warehouses.

What makes the company stand out is the specialized knowledge of its owner, Elton Youart, who brings a master’s degree in structural engineering to the table. This expertise gives the firm a significant edge, allowing it to navigate and mitigate the industry’s current financial headwinds with strategic finesse.

Most clients today face the challenge of fluctuating interest rates, directly affecting their pace of project development. The tightening financial climate, marked by an increase in the cost of commercial loans, often leads to a discernible slowdown in the initiation of new projects.

This financial obstacle is compounded by the scarcity of suitable development land. As more desirable properties are being steadily consumed by prior development, the remaining lots require extensive work to reach a viable state for new projects. This situation leads to an increase in development costs, as the available parcels come with the burden of lower initial quality.

In the face of these challenges, Dirt Works Unlimited doesn’t merely adapt; it innovates. When clients approach with a new project, leveraging Youart’s structural engineering expertise, Dirt Works engages deeply with the client’s design teams. The company provides consultative insights on enhancing site layouts and improving construction efficiency, suggesting subtle yet impactful design changes. This value engineering has proven to optimize a project’s functionality while keeping costs within budget.

“Many a time, we also collaborate with local regulatory agencies to facilitate the approval process for project designs, including proposed changes or alternate solutions that may not have been initially envisioned when the projects came in. This proactive approach ascertains each project is viable and fine-tuned for cost-effectiveness and quality standards,” says Youart.

The same proactiveness can be seen when it comes to pricing. The company offers flexible models—either a fixed lump sum or a cost-plus arrangement— to accommodate unforeseen variables and safeguard the client’s budget throughout the project’s evolution.

This is ensured through the project managers’ continuous on-site presence, engaging closely with the project team throughout the day. This level of involvement allows for real-time issue resolution, preventing pricey delays and guaranteeing project progress.

A recent example of this approach involved a project beset by high soil moisture levels. Dirt Works initiated early discussions with the client and deliberately excluded moisture conditioning costs from the initial quotation to maintain transparency. By separately allocating this cost, the firm brought clarity in budgeting. As the project advanced, Dirt Works collaborated with the client to devise an economical solution for the moisture issue, thus safeguarding the project’s integrity and financial feasibility.

In another project, Dirt Works demonstrated its ability to tackle diverse site challenges on a former dump site. The company employed a multi-step approach, starting with over-excavation and soil replacement to remove unsuitable soil and adjust the site to the required grade. Additionally, it reconfigured parking areas to adequately support anticipated loads, incorporating structural enhancements for safety and functionality.

Whether a humble abode or a skyscraper, Dirt Work’s expertise makes sure that the soil is managed and manipulated with precision to lay the groundwork that underpins the success of each structure rising from well-prepared foundations.