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Oct. Texas Builder Magazine
- 1. Builder Profile Lone Star Building & Construction Wayne Ball understands the nuances of remodeling as well as the complexities of a service industry. by Jennifer McDermitt craftsmanship mean something to home, but what really matters is how you i f you are truly passionate about what you the customer. treat the customer. do, its difficult to watch others work- I learned a long time ago that this ing within your industry who are not as is a service industry, not a remodeling sincere. Wayne Ball of Lone Star Building & industry, Ball said. We dont argue with new state, new Job, new Life Construction is a true remodeler. our customers, and we never let our egos Ball was born and raised in upstate New If theres one thing that keeps Ball going, or our emotions dictate how we behave York and spent his childhood working its knowing that in the end, quality and toward a client. Anyone can remodel a construction with his father. Ball studied civil engineering and architectural design in college, and, after college, worked in heavy construc- tion and started to make a life and a career for himself in Albany. In 1976, his father moved (L to R) Wayne Ball, president, and Louis Ball, vice president, of Lonestar Building & Construction. 24 S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Te x a s B u i l d e r w w w . t e x a s b u i l d e r s . o r g
- 2. to Houston, and a couple of years later, Ball decided to ask for an early layoff to visit his father in Texas. He never returned. I got tired of freezing in New York, he joked. Ball found construction work rather quickly, but in 1980, his father approached him about running a business together after another partnership fell through. Ball jumped at the chance. My father always wanted to run his own business, and I never really thought about it, but it sounded like a great idea, he said. The two eventually established themselves as Lone Star Building & Construction Inc., a light commercial and residential remodel- ing company. Lone Star is a family operated company with master craftsmen specializing in design/build, remodel, home renovation, kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, whole home remodel, home additions, outdoor ness, you end up spending 10-12 hours a so many places: a website, Facebook, all the kitchens and more. Today, Lone Star earns day cooped up in an office. The association social networking sites, he said. Statistics about $2-2.5 million a year and completes helps you get out, network and learn about show that the majority of people who visit around 20-30 jobs annually. your industry, he noted. those sites are women between the ages of 50-65, and thats my market, so I have to be out there. the tools to succeed the Business of running Ball enjoys being surrounded by his in a tough market a family Business family and working in an industry he loves, In addition to Balls father, other and he hopes that his sincerity and work After 35 years in the business, Ball says members of his family have played crucial ethic shines through to his customers. Its he has witnessed a dramatic change in the roles in Lone Star Building & Construction. frustrating to see people get into remodel- industrys workforce. He feels that there is Balls brother, Louis Ball, joined the ing without understanding everything that less accountability and jobsite pride. Ball business in 1982 and now serves as vice goes along with it, said Ball. But, the recognizes, however, that everyone is to president. Balls sister, Tammie Sanchez, is cream always rises to the top, so if you run blame for it. the companys office manager and book- an honest business and treat your customers We used to keep everyone on staff, keeper, and his daughter, Danielle, serves as well, you will be okay. but now we sub most of our work out, administrative assistant. Despite an industry downturn, Ball expe- because weve created a market where Ball says that while referrals are a large rienced his second best year in 2009 and everyone is trying to get the jobs for part of his business, he has come to realize was named Remodeler of the Year in 2008 as little money as possible. You end up that todays marketing trends are just as by the Greater Houston BA, proving that with people who have not been properly important. You need to have a presence in the cream truly does rise to the top. n trained in the craft, he said. Craftmanship is important to Ball. He is a Master Craftsman, a carpenter by trade, and served in the field until his father retired in 2001. I love coming up with designs and to see those designs come to life, he said. Walking customers through that process is the best part of the job. Ball feels that the industry needs an educated workforce that is accountable, which is why he is grateful to his local, state and national builders associations for their numerous educational opportunities. Ball joined the Greater Houston Builders Association and the Remodelers Council in 1984, where he has since served as a board member, committee chair, vice president and is the current president. For a small business owner, Ball says his association involvement has been vital to his success. When you run your own busi- S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 2 0 1 0 Te x a s B u i l d e r w w w . t e x a s b u i l d e r s . o r g 25