A True Family Business
Dwaine Fisher has worked in construction since he was 14 years old, and in 2006 he and his wife, Lindsey, decided it was to time to go into business for themselves. Today they have six to eight employees, depending on the time of year, and a growing fleet of equipment which recently saw the addition of a construction barge, facilitating shoreline and island work. (See “Your Cottage Lifestyle” January-February 2019 issue)
“We make a great team,” says Lindsey. “We take pride in our workmanship, love meeting new people and finding out what they need and how we can achieve that for them. We are constantly thinking outside the box to overcome challenges and issues in order to provide the customer with exactly what they want.”
A big part of that is establishing a good working relationship with other contractors on any jobsite. In the end it’s all about the overall customer experience – everyone involved in the process bears the responsibility of making sure that experience is a good one. 
Lindsey says that the customer has a big role to play in this as well. “It’s important to ask for the credentials of your contractor before starting any construction or renovation.” A jobsite where everyone is properly trained and knows their job is a productive, proactive jobsite.
For the Fisher team, the job doesn’t begin when the equipment moves onsite – it begins by walking the customer through all aspects of the job, whether it is a septic system, shoreline improvement, or other excavation project. Lindsey explains that it isn’t uncommon for them to take the customer to the location of a past project, and by using photos to provide a “before and after” they can show the customer what is possible.
For every job, Fisher arranges for all required permits. If it’s a new build, that could involve permits for demolition, septic, etc., as well as those required by the conservation authority. They also make sure they are copied on all the builder’s activity for construction, in order to be on top of any situations which may require their attention.
If the client is considering purchasing an existing house or cottage, Fisher will inspect the existing septic system and evaluate its viability – it may not be up to spec if one is planning changes to the capacity of the household. Permits will be obtained, and follow-ups after the work is completed will ensure that the job was done right. Septic installers must be licensed, and the Fisher team have gone to school and obtained the necessary tickets to do the job knowledgeably and efficiently.
If the planned project involves a boathouse and/or shoreline work, this requires another field of expertise. Dwaine Fisher understands local water levels and the ramifications of changes in those levels. He has an excellent working relationship with Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority, and understands their perspectives on shoreline conservation, habitat protection, etc. He can work with contractors and builders, lending his expertise in order to avoid problems which could prove disastrous down the road.
The philosophy at Fisher Excavating and Grading is to provide peace of mind for the customer during the entire process, and part of that peace of mind comes from knowing that costs are all-in. “Unless changes are made by the customer, the quoted price is what they pay. Any extra costs incurred by us are borne by us, and are not passed on to the customer,” Lindsey explains.
The biggest challenges are weather-related; ice and water levels must always be considered, winter shoreline work requires frozen ground, and a jobsite saturated from too much rain can be unreliable. The customer is always kept up to date on the status of their project, and any delays are explained in such a way that they understand the situation.
Lindsey says these challenges are just part of the job and overcoming them in order to ensure that the finished project results in a satisfied customer is the biggest reward. “For us, that’s what it’s all about,” she says.
Taking pride in a job well done is part of the Fisher philosophy, and being a family-owned and operated business, that work ethic is being passed on to the next generation: son Dawson is as actively involved as a 12-year-old can be, working in the yard, screening topsoil and operating equipment, and spending summers working onsite with his dad.
10-year-old daughter Paige is busy right now with figure skating and sports, but it’s likely she, too, may be involved in the family business when the time is right.
From residential to commercial, grading and dredging to concrete work, river rock and armour stone, and so much more, Fisher Excavating and Grading is proud to serve Kawartha Lakes.
Check out their website: www.fisherexcavating.ca, or contact them at 705-878-3714 (Bus), 705-878-6474 (Mobile) or by email at fisherex@live.ca
Photo Credit Belinda Wilson
