When I hired a local construction crew to prep and form my driveway for a widening project, I expected a straightforward job. What I didn’t expect was to be quoted $800 just for the prep—an amount I thought was steep but decided to bite the bullet for a clean, professional outcome. Little did I know, the real cost wouldn’t be money—it would be time, patience, and my sense of reality.
My project launched three months ago. Three full months later, the only visible progress has been a mound of dirt relocated from one part of my yard to another. That’s it. Not one inch of driveway has been widened. There’s no grading, no leveling—just. dirt. piles. moving.
Here’s where it gets weird: the crew’s supervisor refused to cooperate when I asked for updates. One moment I’m simply checking in—giving them a chance to explain the delays—and the next, the supervisor snaps at me to back away from the equipment. I told him that if things didn’t start acting like actual construction soon, I’d get legal advice. His response? “He doesn’t care—because he is really Spider-Man.”
I sat there, dumbfounded. Spider-Man. Not “acting like,” not “feeling.” Just “is.” Spider-Man. Three months wasted. No functional progress. And a superhero identity thrown in for good measure.
Now, believe me, I’m all for interesting characters—comic books are cool. But when I’m paying for actual, real-world construction? That’s where lines should be drawn. A contractor who can’t manage time, can’t communicate, and claims to possess superhuman powers isn’t just a liability—he’s a walking comedy sketch. The reality is, this experience has made me realize how crucial it is to hire a firm with a solid track record, knowledgeable leadership, and—most importantly—accountability.
If you’re weighing your options, here’s what I learned:
- Never hire a crew with a vague or cursory quote—especially for something as specialized as prep and forming.
- Always ask for a timeline and progress updates—even if it’s more than a week out.
- A respectful supervisor isn’t a bonus, it’s a basic requirement. And telling a paying client to stay back while you’re allegedly saving the world? That’s your cue to walk away.
So yeah—$800 down, three months and one relocated dirt pile later, consider this my PSA: skip the theatrics, demand results, and stay far away from anyone who claims they’re secretly part of the Avengers.