Fort Myers family construction business hit hard by soaring fuel prices

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A Fort Myers construction company says rising diesel prices are forcing them to spend thousands more each month just to keep their trucks on the road.

Tracee Tobler with Tobler Construction says fuel costs have climbed to $4,000, $5,000, even $6,000 per month. The increases started toward the end of 2025, but Tobler says the rise has picked up fast.

"Started toward the end of 2025, but you can see a gradual increase… but now it's just over the top," Tobler said.

For her crew, it's not just gas—it's diesel powering every truck and piece of equipment on the job. The family-owned company runs multiple vehicles, including a large dump truck that now costs nearly double to fill.

"Within the last couple of months, it's almost $500," Tobler said.

With crews heading to the pump at least once a week, those costs add up quickly. The company is currently balancing 15 to 20 projects at any given time.

"When we have to pay more for gas, that takes out of the bottom line for the project… so unfortunately, it does get passed along to customers," Tobler said.

With prices going up week to week, Tobler says the company is being forced to think ahead. As long as diesel prices keep changing, they'll have to keep adjusting.

"Sometimes people feel like, Oh, it's a little high, but, you know, it's the economy. We can't do anything about that," Tobler said.

That likely means customers will see those costs show up in future projects.