"My wife is about to go to WINZ to ask for some emergency payments for our mortgage. I'm going to be bankrupt, I would say. My brother and sister are in a pretty similar position."
The lowest moment came when bailiffs showed up at his elderly mother's home asking for money.
Blacktop found itself squeezed out of the major road maintenance contracts, deals now the subject of a Serious Fraud Office investigation.
There are allegations that a culture of backhanders, deal sweeteners or, 'inducements', are rife in the industry.
Everett, 44, says Blacktop refused to provide inducements and his company paid the price.
"We just didn't play that game ... and we were left out in the cold as a result."
Of particular interest to the investigation is the $420 million in road maintenance contracts issued in June.
Last month, roading maintenance manager Murray Noone was fired. A few weeks later, maintenance contracts manager Barry George resigned.
Offices at several major roading contractors and subcontractors have been raided by fraud investigators.
SFO acting chief executive Simon McArley would not name the businesses raided.
"We are looking at all the suppliers."
The downfall of Blacktop leaves a so-called "big five" companies to bid for road maintenance contracts in Auckland - Fulton Hogan, Higgins, Transfield, Downer and Heb.
