Etna Green Company Specializes in Excavation
Writer / Lois Tomaszewski
Photography Provided
According to the owners and founder of Beechy Excavating, theres a big difference between digging a hole in Indiana soil and digging a basement. With decades of experience in the latter, the staff members at Beechy Excavating are experts at moving dirt and helping to establish a newly constructed home.
Their expertise extends into other construction purposes too, such as installing or repairing septic tanks, excavating dirt to house underground water lines, as well as new construction of houses and pole barns. When doing these types of projects, the Beechy brothers know that leveling the ground and providing the right slope keeps basements dry and pipes functioning correctly.
Water doesnt run uphill, Jake Beechy says.
Jake founded a backhoe and bulldozing business in the fall of 1977, with help from his father. He was 21 years old, and was looking for a career that would both provide for his family in the long run, and be interesting to him.
I saw other people operating equipment and it fascinated me, Jake says.
When his sons Marion, Aaron and John were old enough, they began helping out. Marion became a full-time employee in 2000. Aaron worked with other construction companies and in the RV industry, joining Beechy Bulldozing in 2018. John, the youngest, became a full-time employee in 2011.
In April of 2020, Beechy Bulldozing was purchased by Jakes sons and became Beechy Excavating.
A lot of people dont realize what it takes to do an excavating job, Jake says. When the job finishes, they see what it takes.
The jobs require site analysis, soil sampling, and an eye for fixing potential drainage problems. If the team is on a building site and has an inkling that something is wrong with the way the site has been graded, this usually means that it wasnt leveled. Proper leveling can help keep basements from flooding and prevent future problems for the homeowner.
Indiana has many different types of soil, and each type is preferable based on certain intended uses. Some jobs require a soil scientist to analyze the soil, and make sure it is suited for the intended use. For example, sandy soil is good when installing a septic system drain field.
Through the years, working together has made the Beechy team better at what they do.
We can just look at each other and know what to do, John says.
John handles the bookkeeping for the business. Marion is the scheduler, and Aaron oversees maintenance of the equipment.
This is what we grew up doing, Marion says. I helped put in septic systems when I was 9.
Soon, the next generation of Beechys will be learning on the job. Jakes oldest grandson is expected to start working for his dad and uncles this month.
Jake, originally from the Topeka area, met his wife in Etna Green in 1978.
God has blessed us with eight children, Jake says. All live close to home. It takes communication for a family business to work, and to all stay on the same page.
The busiest time for Dobson Excavations SW is from March through December. January and February are the slowest months in terms of construction, because during that time the ground hasnt thawed from Indianas winters. In these months, the team spends time making repairs to equipment and servicing customers with snow removal.
Beechy Excavating has earned Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association certification. Their territory includes Kosciusko, Marshall and Elkhart counties, and the cities of Nappanee, Milford, Bremen and others. The staff members are available to travel beyond these areas if necessary.
I always like to think that our company is the best, Jake says. We do have good competition.
He adds that competition can provide positive motivation to maintain satisfied customers.
We strive to make it right and have a finished job, Jake says.
For more information on Beechy Excavating, call 574-646-2067 or email beechyexc@ibyfax.com.
