Drove 2 hours to a job site and realized I left all my tools at home

Ngl, I’ve been running my landscaping business for about 5 years now, and last Thursday I did something so stupid I still can’t believe it. I had a big retaining wall job out in Elmwood, packed the truck the night before but forgot to actually load the shovels, rakes, and the damn wheelbarrow. Got there at 7 AM, opened the tailgate, and just stood there staring at an empty bed for a solid minute. The homeowner came out and asked if I needed help, and I had to admit I forgot everything. I ended up renting from a local hardware store for like $80 just to get through the day, but the whole time I’m thinking how I preach about being organized and prepared to my crew. Has anyone else ever shown up to a job completely empty handed and had to improvise?

2 comments

2 Comments

kelly3851mo ago

Oh man, I feel your pain so much. I did something similar a few years ago when I showed up to pour a small concrete pad and realized I left the mixer, the trowels, and all my forms back at the shop. I ended up having to borrow a mixer from a neighbor and use my hands and a scrap 2x4 to finish the whole job. It was a nightmare but I never made that mistake again. Now I keep a checklist in my glovebox and go through it before I even start the truck. What did you end up telling your crew about that day?

morgan.rose1mo ago

A buddy of mine did the same thing with his crew once, just told them the truck broke down and bought them all lunch while they waited. Sometimes you gotta just own the mistake and make the best of it, right?