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closeExcavator works with fire and ice
Dulas says diversity is his key to success
Susan Schell
of the Gateway
When life gives you snow storms, buy a snowplow. That’s Tony Dulas’ basic philosophy, and his Gig Harbor business, Harbor Point Excavating, is growing.
Dulas attributes his success not only to rock-solid customer service, but diversity as well.
When an early and unusually heavy snow dump brought businesses to a grinding halt last winter, Dulas saw it as a golden opportunity to add a new dimension to his business.
“We saw a need last winter when no one was clearing the snow,” he said. “We needed another piece of equipment, and next time it snows that hard, we’ll run that truck 24 hours a day.”
Dulas watched as slick roads crippled drivers who were trying to get to work. He was amazed at what he called price gouging as desperate business owners shelled out big bucks to clear snow from their doorways.
“Just because there’s a need doesn’t mean you gouge people,” he said. “If you don’t, then people are grateful, and they’ll call you back.”
By springtime, the excavating company added snow plowing to its list of services, and Dulas was busy preparing contracts.
Those contracts don’t cost anything; they just allow Dulas to get clients on board, so the next time a snowstorm hits, they won’t be stranded.
It’s all about planning, Dulas said.
“Instead of reacting to the snow, we’ll be proactive,” he said. “In a storm, businesses want to keep doing business. As soon as it snows, we’ll have drivers ready 24 hours. Having a contract is the only effective way to route that piece of equipment.”
Dulas said his company is the only local one he knows about that can deal with snow removal and spread salt and sand to prevent snow buildup.
During the summer, the vehicle will serve as a dump truck, he said.
Just getting the plow to Gig Harbor was an adventure in itself. Unable to find a high-quality truck in the area, Dulas flew to Missouri to bring one back.
On his way home, his wife landed a good deal on a trailer in Arizona, and she called him to go pick it up.
“It was funny because I’m always the one saying, ‘Don’t buy any more equipment,’ ” Mary Dulas said. “But I found this trailer in Arizona, so he needed to reroute his trip and go south.”
Neither the equipment nor Tony Dulas’ wardrobe was prepared for the southwest heat. He was sweltering — the truck didn’t have air conditioning and his clothes were all wrong; it had been raining in Washington when he left.
Dulas also got into trouble when he missed a weigh station in New Mexico.
“When I got stopped, the officer walked up to my car with his hand on his gun,” Dulas said. “I told my wife on the phone, ‘I think I’m going to jail.’ ”
After the misunderstanding was cleared up, the patrolman informed Dulas that if he continued on his planned route through Nevada, it would cost him: The state would charge him 15 cents a mile to drive the truck across its roads.
Another change in plan was imminent. The snowplow came to Washington through California.
Dulas started work for a contractor in the excavating business straight out of high school. The multi-faceted businessman also volunteered for a fire department. He’s now a captain paramedic for Central Pierce Fire and Rescue in Parkland.
“I knew I wanted to be a firefighter since I was 5,” he said. “When I was a kid, I used to run to the window whenever a fire truck went by.”
Years in the excavating business gave Dulas the experience and knowledge to start his own company in 2007.
Working for the fire department gave him his wife.
“I was a resident at the fire station in Silverdale when we met,” Mary Dulas said. “We were friends for about three months, then we started dating, and the rest is history. Here I am, 21 years later.”
The couple puts their three children through school at home in order to accommodate Tony’s odd career hours.
The couple also enjoys taking time off for trips aboard their boat. When they do, the school supplies come along.
“We have pictures of the kids at picnic tables with all their books, with the camp fire and the lake in the background,” Mary said.
Tony considers his life a combination of two dream jobs.
“I get to ride around in a red fire truck and play in the dirt,” he said.
His excavating business covers landscaping, lawn installation, drainage repairs and more.
“We’ll pretty much do anything,” he said. “We’re always looking at new technology and ways to solve people’s needs.”
That’s where his two career paths cross.
“That’s what I love to do best, meet people’s needs,” he said. “That’s what the fire department does is solve people’s problems, whether they have a question or a house on fire.”
The Dulases all pitch in and help out with the business. Mary does the books and paperwork. Their daughter, Samantha, 12, has her eyes on operating the big equipment, and Mary has no doubt she’ll be good at it.
“Some day she’ll be the foreman and show the guys how to run the equipment,” Mary said.
Need an excavator?
Harbor Point Excavating specializes in all jobs big and small. For more information, call 253-312-3535.