In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Andy Toniolo from Inner City Excavations.

In this episode we talk about: 

• Andy was always interested in construction and started out labouring while he studied economics and commerce at University.  
• Andy is a Melbourne man born and bred and was a keen footy and tennis player growing up.  
• Finding the learning side of study easier, Andy enrolled as a mature age student in carpentry to pursue is goals of working in construction.
• Building strong relationships with people through Tafe gave Andy the upper hand when he stepped out on his own and formed a framing crew. 
• Working in framing gave Andy a chance to realise his love for ground work and problem solving which was the foundation for a build. 
• Andy saw a gap in the market, where the expectations of engineers in domestic building design contrasted with the skill of general domestic tradies, so Inner City Excavations was born. 
• Andy’s first purchase was a 2-tonne excavator which has completed over 5000 hours and is still in use today.  
• Relationships are the key to Andy’s business. Keep the builder happy and you will not only grow, but form strong bonds with trades.  
• Valuing relationships early on and using his skills of reading plans, Andy has been able to build a business on trust while forming a specialist excavation company.  
• The shift Andy has seen in the public’s respect for trades.  
• No body has X-ray vision, however by keeping the communication open between client, builder and excavator, all ‘problems’ can be easily solved.  
• Information is power and by asking a Geotech to retrieve more samples (above the industry standard) Andy has avoided many excavation mis-haps.  
• The Inner City Excavation Fleet.  
• The biggest challenge Andy has come across when excavating.  
• Loading equipment in and out of trucks is, by far, the most dangerous task and Andy always approaches it with caution, no matter how many times he has done it.  
• The most interesting thing Andy has found on site.  
• In 2012 Andy was involved in ‘The Block’ for Channel 9 and shares his experience.  
• Cycling, football and family occupy Andy outside of Inner City Excavations.  
• Andy gives us his tips for balancing work and still making time for family.  
• The future for Inner City Excavation. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Andy Toniolo from Inner City Excavations. 
 
Links: 
Inner City Excavations 

Build Hatch