Prith Dutt started his Jim’s Diggers Ferntree Gully franchise on his own with a small truck, an excavator and a bobcat. Eleven years later, he has 10 machines, a couple of trucks, his own sorting yard and five to seven staff. In this Q&A, Prith explains how the business has grown, what keeps him in the Jim’s Diggers franchise after more than a decade, and the lessons he has learned along the way.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
How Big Can a Jim’s Diggers Franchise Grow?
Prith Dutt’s Jim’s Diggers business has grown from a one-person operation with one machine truck, one excavator, one bobcat, and a small truck into a larger operation with 10 machines, a couple of trucks, its own sorting yard, and five to seven staff.
Prith has been with Jim’s Diggers for 11 years and is heading into his 12th year in a few months. Over that time, he has moved beyond working alone and built an operation that can take on larger and more varied jobs.
The business is still growing. Prith says he is now venturing into civil works, demolition, building and construction. His experience shows how a Jim’s Diggers franchise can expand in capability over time when the operator keeps learning and adds services that fit the work already coming through the business.
People considering the broader franchise model can also explore Jim’s Group’s information on owning a Jim’s franchise.
What Services Can a Jim’s Diggers Franchise Provide?
Prith’s business provides excavation and civil works, along with demolition, foundation work, selected concreting work, landscaping, retaining, and related excavation support for other trades.
The core business started with excavation. That led into civil work such as digging trenches for plumbers, cutting open roads, cutting concrete, and completing larger drainage jobs. Prith then moved into full and partial home demolitions after completing the required test and receiving a demolition licence.
He has also completed a handful of heritage-listed jobs, which he describes as tricky. More recently, the business has moved into foundation work for slabs, including bored piers that can reach 3.8 metres deep. Prith works with concreting businesses so his team can complete the foundation work before concreters complete the slab.
The same pattern continues across a build. His team can assist plumbers and electricians with excavation, then return later for landscaping, retaining, soft landscaping, hard landscaping and concreting driveways. As Prith puts it, one part of the business feeds into the next.
For another look at the division, Jim’s Group has a detailed Jim’s Diggers interview with Divisional Owner Paul Sandles.
What Has Kept Prith Dutt in Jim’s Diggers for More Than 10 Years?
Prith’s key to staying in the business for more than 10 years is simple: he loves the work and values the flexibility it gives him.
He is clear that business ownership does not mean you simply work whatever hours you want. As the business grows, demand increases. Having staff, however, has given him more flexibility to spend time with his family.
Prith has three kids and says he tries to handle school drop-offs and pick-ups whenever he can. On some days, that means going to site, getting the team started, leaving for school drop-off, returning to site, then doing the same again for pick-up. Some days are easier, and some are busy.
That day-to-day flexibility is a major reason he has stayed. Prospective franchisees who want a closer look at the working routine can also explore Jim’s Group’s day-on-the-road franchise experience.
What Is Prith Dutt’s Best Advice for Growing a Trade Business?
Prith’s best business advice is: “Don’t fake it till you make it.”
He says people should know their stuff. If you do not know how to do something, research it, put your hand up, find someone who can mentor you, and be honest about what you still need to learn. His approach is to ask directly: “I don’t know how to do this, can you please teach me?”
Prith says he was even willing to work for free to learn. In his experience, people appreciated that attitude and sometimes paid him anyway. The important part was getting close enough to experienced people to understand the work properly.
That approach also helped him expand. After digging trenches and watching concreters pour footings, he realised he already understood a major part of the process. Later, a concreter approached his team about working together because they already had the machines. That opened the door to doing some slab and concreting work as well.
Why Do Customers Choose Jim’s Group?
Prith believes people use Jim’s because the brand is very strong and because customers can see a customer-focused approach behind it.
He says some customers have told him that everything they get done is through Jim’s. Across his 11 years, he has also seen support from head office, franchisors and Jim’s Group founder Jim Penman when customer issues or disputes arise.
Prith does not pretend every discussion has been easy. He recalls Jim Penman telling him, “mate, you can’t prove that you’re right means you’re wrong.” Prith says the lesson was to get smarter and take photos so the facts are clear.
He also says there have been occasions where he had proof that the work was done correctly and Jim stood by him in the dispute. For prospective operators, Jim’s Group explains more about how it supports franchisees throughout the franchise relationship.
Why Does Prith Dutt Wear a TradeMutt Shirt?
Prith is wearing a TradeMutt shirt because the brand supports men’s mental health and the shirt works as a conversation starter.
He says trade work can be demanding because jobs do not always stop for bad weather. He gives the example of a concrete pour completed two days earlier. It was “pissing down rain”, but the line pump was pouring, the concrete trucks were there, and the job could not simply stop.
Even with those difficult conditions, Prith says he loves the work and tries to go into each day expecting a great day of work.
He also likes that people ask about the shirt. That gives him a natural chance to explain what it represents and why he chooses to wear it.
How Long Does Prith Dutt Plan to Stay With Jim’s Diggers?
Prith says he would love to stay with Jim’s for the long term and cannot see himself retiring in the usual sense.
His answer is tied directly to how he feels about the work. He says he would love to be at work until his last breath, still doing whatever he can.
After 11 years with Jim’s Diggers and with his 12th year approaching, Prith’s position is straightforward: “I love my job. I love it, I wouldn’t do it anywhere else.”
If you are considering a Jim’s Diggers franchise, explore the current Jim’s Group franchise opportunities and take the time to understand the work, support, and day-to-day reality before making a decision.