# Robert Childs Inc.

**Trade:** Demolition & Excavation · **Address:** 169 Great Western Rd, South Dennis, MA 02660 · **Phone:** (508) 398-2556 · **Website:** http://www.robertchildsinc.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 3.8/5** (medium confidence) — from 37 reviews across 6 sources.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 4 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Robert Childs Inc. has operated in South Dennis on Cape Cod since 1948 — a family business led by president Robert Childs, with about 32 employees per its BBB profile. It's primarily an authorized dealer and rental yard for major construction-equipment brands (Case, Toro Siteworks, Dynapac, NiftyLift) and a landscaping-materials supplier, and it also runs a contracting side offering demolition, drainage, site excavation, and septic system installation and repair across the Cape.

Reviewers consistently praise fast service — several describe calling for an equipment rental and having it delivered within an hour or two, including one Saturday-morning call answered with delivery inside 30 minutes. Recurring customers name office and yard staff by name (Chris, Kristen, Annie, Alex) across repeat visits, and in a 2024 review a buyer credits a staffer named Gary for walking them through paperwork to export a used machine to Canada. Building-permit records tied to the company's own phone number show it pulled at least 15 septic trench, excavation, and repair permits in South Yarmouth, West Yarmouth, Yarmouth Port, and South Dennis between 2015 and 2023 — real corroboration of the septic and excavation side beyond the equipment-and-materials reviews.

Almost all of the retrievable customer detail is about equipment rental, purchases, or landscaping-materials delivery rather than the septic or excavation contracting work itself — worth asking for specific septic-installation references before booking that side of the business. Also worth confirming directly: the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor license Robert Childs personally held (CS-060173) is now registry-listed as expired and "Null and Void," and the company is not a BBB Accredited Business, though its BBB profile still shows an A+ letter grade.

For equipment rental, bulk landscaping materials, or Cape Cod site and septic excavation work, this is a long-established, well-regarded local operation — just confirm current licensing status and ask for septic-specific references before booking installation work.

**Strengths:**
- Fast equipment delivery — reviewers describe rentals arriving within an hour of calling
- 78-year local history — family-run South Dennis business per BBB records
- Repeat named-staff praise — customers return for years naming office and yard staff
- Active septic permits — trench and repair permits recur across Cape towns
- A+ BBB grade — carried without seeking formal accreditation

**Concerns:**
- Construction supervisor license — CS-060173 is registry-verified Null and Void
- Reviews skew retail — most detail covers equipment rental and materials, not septic work
- BBB accreditation status — not accredited despite the A+ letter grade shown

**Where sources disagree:**
- BuildZoom lists the CS-060173 license-holder's address as Boxborough, MA, not this business's South Dennis address; the matching phone number and Cape Cod septic-permit pattern tie the record to Robert Childs Inc. anyway.
- BuildZoom's permit list also carries older (2007-2010) remodel and electrical permits in Auburndale, Brookline and West Newton with no phone number attached — possibly a different, unrelated 'Robert C Childs,' not treated as this company's history.

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Robert Childs Inc. has operated in South Dennis since 1948 (78 years) as a family business led by president Robert Childs, with 32 employees. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/south-dennis/profile/excavating-equipment/robert-childs-inc-0021-129702) — “BBB profile for Robert Childs Inc. (Excavating Equipment category) at 169 Great Western Rd, South Dennis, MA, phone (508) 398-2556 — matches…”
- The company is an authorized dealer for CASE, Toro Siteworks (Toro Dingo), Dynapac Compaction, NiftyLift, and CAM Superline/MAC Trailer/Timpte equipment lines. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Authorized CASE Construction Heavy Equipment Dealer”
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Toro Siteworks System (Toro Dingo) equipment dealer”
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Dynapac Compaction equipment dealer”
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: NiftyLift Powered Access equipment dealer”
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: CAM Superline, MAC Trailer and Timpte Trailer dealer”
- Its own site lists contracting services of demolition, drainage, excavation, septic installation and repair, site work, rock walls, and asphalt/concrete driveway paving. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Robert Childs Inc. of South Dennis, MA is primarily an authorized heavy-equipment dealer and rental company (CASE, Toro, Dynapac, NiftyLift,…”
- BuildZoom permit records tied by matching phone number show at least 15 septic-system trench, excavation, and repair permits pulled in South Yarmouth, West Yarmouth, Yarmouth Port, and South Dennis between 2015 and 2023. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/robert-c-childs) — “30 project(s) shown on BuildZoom”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/robert-c-childs) — “BuildZoom profile for 'Robert C Childs' lists a Boxborough, MA 01719 address (does NOT match this contractor's South Dennis address) but the…”
- The Massachusetts Construction Supervisor license (CS-060173) held under company president Robert Childs's own name is registry-verified expired, listed by the state as 'Null and Void.' _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://madpl.mylicense.com/Verification/) — “MA csl license CS-060173 registry-verified expired (registry's own word: "Null and Void") — registry holder of record: ROBERT C CHILDS”
- The company is not a BBB Accredited Business, though its BBB profile carries an A+ letter grade. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/south-dennis/profile/excavating-equipment/robert-childs-inc-0021-129702) — “BBB profile for Robert Childs Inc. (Excavating Equipment category) at 169 Great Western Rd, South Dennis, MA, phone (508) 398-2556 — matches…”
- Reviewers repeatedly describe same-day or next-morning delivery of rented equipment, including one Saturday call answered with delivery inside 30 minutes. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2s5MmNEUmFaR2M0YlVkNExYbExMWGxwV25CRFNIYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOk92cDRaZGc4bUd4LXlLLXlpWnBDSHc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Wow! What a great experience! I found their google page after using them just to say thank you for being awesome. I called at 9AM on a Sa…”
- Multiple reviewers name recurring staff members (Chris, Kristen, Gary, Annie, Alex) they've dealt with across repeat, multi-year transactions. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25jM1NtcDRWMUo1ZG5KZmR6ZE5XbFpxVVZsMk9VRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnc3Smp4V1J5dnJfdzdNWlZqUVl2OUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Chris and Kristen in the office are awesome. I've rented many pieces of equipment. They are always very friendly and helpful. Drop off an…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tsYWNVWTNha2RvWXpaT2QwbE9aVkJqTnkxVVpuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOklacUY3akdoYzZOd0lOZVBjNy1UZnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ The 2 sweet lady that work at childs are the BEST IN THE WORLD THEY ARE VERY SWEET AND THEY MAKE YU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME Mrs. Annie and Mrs…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYMDQyaHhnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDX042hxgE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I purchased an used machine through Robert Childs Inc and it was a great experience from start to finish. Gary was great to deal with and…”
- Nearly all detailed customer-review content concerns equipment rental, purchase, and landscaping-materials delivery; very little describes the septic or excavation contracting work directly. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT201a1UzWjJWbXhSYVVGc2IxWmZRbWt4TUVSNk9VRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOm5kU3Z2VmxRaUFsb1ZfQmkxMER6OUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ First time customer today. These guys are great. From the people in the office to the loader operators in the yard. They mixed me up a be…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR6bjVmV3FBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDzn5fWqAE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I recently rented a track skidsteer and purchased 45 ton of Tbase asphalt from these folks. The experience overall was great and their pr…”
- The review base is heavily concentrated in 2025-2026 with almost no negative comments, though one reviewer explicitly noted encountering 'a huge amount of bad reviews' elsewhere on the page that aren't reflected in the retrieved text. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNIXzRUWFVnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xffaa3c724504755!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICH_4TXUg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I see that there is a huge amount of bad reviews here some disgruntled employees and some un happy customers. This type of business gets …”
- Specializes in Demolition & Excavation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Robert Childs Inc. of South Dennis, MA is primarily an authorized heavy-equipment dealer and rental company (CASE, Toro, Dynapac, NiftyLift,…”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/robert-c-childs) — “30 project(s) shown on BuildZoom”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/robert-c-childs) — “Licence listed on BuildZoom: Construction Supervisor license #CS-060173 held by Robert C Childs, Massachusetts (Building Licenses, Construct…”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/robert-c-childs) — “BuildZoom profile for 'Robert C Childs' lists a Boxborough, MA 01719 address (does NOT match this contractor's South Dennis address) but the…”
  - [State License Registry](https://madpl.mylicense.com/Verification/) — “MA csl license CS-060173 registry-verified expired (registry's own word: "Null and Void") — registry holder of record: ROBERT C CHILDS”
- Also offers Paving _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com) — “Robert Childs Inc. of South Dennis, MA is primarily an authorized heavy-equipment dealer and rental company (CASE, Toro, Dynapac, NiftyLift,…”

## License

Status: **expired** (#CS-060173, csl) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-08-24, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://madpl.mylicense.com/Verification/

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Robert%20Childs%20Inc.&query_place_id=ChIJbQ2JL9k--4kRVUdQJMej-g8): 4.4★ from 82 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Robert%20Childs%20Inc.&query_place_id=ChIJbQ2JL9k--4kRVUdQJMej-g8): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/south-dennis/profile/excavating-equipment/robert-childs-inc-0021-129702): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](http://www.robertchildsinc.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Exa](https://www.robertchildsinc.com/): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/robert-c-childs): Listed on this source

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Julio. M. Mendez · 2026-06-02**: Great people,  fast and very reasonable.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · MaryAnn Mackin · 2026-05-25**: Great sales people!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Mike Sears · 2026-05-04**: Wow! What a great experience! I found their google page after using them just to say thank you for being awesome. I called at 9AM on a Saturday to rent a machine and I’m not kidding it was at my place by 9:30 the same morning. Over the phone the office was easy to understand and really friendly. She…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Jay-D4 · 2026-03-26**: D4 Landscaping & Hardcape is not  from the cape area but we are always doing projects there, this is the best place to buy materials in the area, they have pretty much everything you need for your Hardscape and landscape needs.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Hamid Basbous · 2026-02-26**: Wowsa- what a great experience! This company has quite some history and roots, father is a Marine Vet who fought in WW2 and started the company some 70 years ago. The brothers who run it are quite awesome people. Paul really took care of me when I was in a pickle- no questions asked.

If you want a …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Art Murphy · 2026-02-12**: Quality materials, a well organized yard, and a crew that knows what they’re doing. The folks at Robert Childs, Inc are top notch!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · DAN STORY · 2026-02-06**: Great company to work with
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Daniel Story · 2026-02-06**: Always there when I need help with parts
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Doug G · 2026-01-30**: Great to work with, quick service and competitive pricing!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Duke Sarkisian · 2026-01-30**: We needed loam to re do our yard in Salt Air Village. So we figured we would order on a Saturday for loam to be here Monday or Tuesday of the following week. But when we called to order, guess what... they told us.??? They said they would be down in less than 2 hrs. What a great surprise. My wife ma…

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-24T19:09:07.778Z.
Cite as: Robert Childs Inc. — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/robert-childs-inc-south-dennis)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/robert-childs-inc-south-dennis