Midlands Profiles
Paradime Earthworks, LLC
Stan O'Brien is President and CEO of Paradime Construction, Inc., a Columbia based company that designs and builds custom homes. Anthony O'Brien, Stan's cousin, earned a degree in large, heavy equipment and diesel mechanics and has a talent for site work. Recognizing a need for quality site preparation in the market, Stan approached Anthony about starting a business together.
In 2006, they bought their own equipment and formed Paradime, Earthworks, LLC, a company to serve as a small-scale residential grading company to homeowners and builders.
"We are focused on the residential customer looking to do work at their home or to clear lots for a custom-built home," says Stan. "We clear and grade lots, remove trees, and dig footings."
It is quickly evident the admiration that Stan has for Anthony's skill level. "I have been in the construction industry for 20 years and I immediately recognized Anthony's talent at site work," says Stan.
"Lots of people can drive machines such as excavators, but few know how to operatethem efficiently. Even people in the industry are amazed about how good Anthony is at what he does; he is one of the best in the business. He can operate virtually any piece of equipment and he is capable of doing a better job in half the time."
By doing the job in fewer hours, Paradime Earthworks, LLC is able to be very competitive with its pricing.
Paradime Earthworks also has assisted residential homeowners with solving water drainage problems around their home. In many cases, these types of problems have arisen because the original site prep work for the house was not done correctly.
As a builder Stan understands the critical role that getting the site work done properly plays in home construction. The foundation work for a home, or even a gazebo, is critical to the long-term stability of the structure.
"Our main strength is solid foundation work," says Stan. "Another is tree removal. We do not just cut the tree down and grind down the stump to below the level of the soil; we completely remove the tree – including its roots. We can't stress enough the importance of completely removing the root system of a tree. If your house is built on a network of roots, eventually those roots will rot and the soil will sag. Or, it will be a perfect starting place for termites."
One of the key differentiators with Paradime Earthworks, LLC is the level of detail that Stan O'Brien brings to job estimating. Based on years of keeping track of costs while building residential homes, Stan understands exactly how to price jobs and gives customers a detailed breakdown of all of Paradime Earthworks LLC's operating costs on the job, including its profit. "We spell out exactly where every penny goes on any of our jobs; our customers love that," says Anthony.
Above photo: Stan O'Brien & Anthony O'Brien
