Local builder creates family haven over time

By Annie Blakely Standard-Radio Post Contributor

Over 10 years, Fredericksburg residents David and Robin Thompson have created a sanctuary for their family of eight children, all of whom are homeschooled and under the age of 16.

“We wanted to have as little debt as possible, so we saved as much as we could toward our house and completed most of the work ourselves, from drafting the plans to construction and finish-out,” Thompson said.

Step by step, the couple created their 6,000 sq. ft. home, which features 7 bedrooms, 5½ bathrooms, a schoolroom, office, playroom, home theater and a spacious open-concept living area with kitchen and dining spaces.

They made sacrifices along the way such as living in an older, 1,300 sq. ft. mobile home for seven years so they could be on site and save money.

“We drove an old LCRA work van that was covered in sunflower-seed shells and then a rusty, old shuttle bus,” Robin said.

“We stored our holiday decor, golf clubs, tools, and other miscellaneous stuff above our chicken coop. Our dirt driveway was so bumpy the mail lady had to have her bearings repacked.”

David first became interested in designing and building as a teenager growing up in Fredericksburg. After earning a degree in architecture from UTSA in 2008, he started Fusion Master Builders, a Fredericksburg-based construction company.

“I had a few construction jobs over the summer or after school. I also took a drafting and design class at Fredericksburg High School and was recommended to a local carpenter by the drafting teacher to help him with some hand-drawn plans. I learned a lot and realized that I had a knack for this type of work.”

From the frame up

In creating their family home, David, 40, did most of the physical work himself to keep costs down.

“Basically, everything that went into this house, I had my hands on in one way or another,” David said. “We poured the slab and did underground plumbing first. Then we let it sit for about a year before I started framing. I framed the entire downstairs either by myself or with one other guy’s help. After that, we set floor trusses, then I brought in my framing crew, and we decked the second story, framed the second story walls and roof, and got it all dried in.

“Then we started on siding, painting, roofing, electrical, etc. I installed HVAC ducting, learned how to wire a house, and helped run plumbing.”

The couple advanced in lockstep through each stage of construction, all while bearing and raising their eight children.

“I tied rebar with my wife and then seven-year-old son and laid tile with my young daughters,” said David. “We planned and saved up money for three and a half years before breaking ground, and building took another three and a half. We added a front yard two years later, and a year after that we got our backyard space, added two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a theater room.”

Before the Thompsons were engaged, they had talked about building a house on family property.

“We changed the site once and the plan many times before we had a design we thought best fit our growing family,” Robin said.

Robin, 41, is a nurse by training and has enjoyed working on floor plans and house designs since she was a child.

She learned to use David’s design software, Chief Architect, and did a lot of the computer and design work while David checked that everything was structurally sound and buildable.

Features for the family

Unique features of their expansive, modern farmhouse include a door from the garage into the pantry for the family’s ample grocery needs, and an extra-spacious laundry room that can house two washers and two dryers, plus a drinkingwater fountain near the kitchen. All these ideas were Robin’s.

“I thought that it would save us from having to use and wash cups all the time,” Robin said.

Their oldest child, Nate Thompson, 15, has enjoyed, “getting to hear the plans and help give input and ideas about the house before it was done,” he said.

Nowadays, he most enjoys the theater room and is a frequent user of the water fountain. But he made sacrifices, too.

“He shared his room with a sister for 11 years before he got his own room,” Robin said.

Since the second story addition was completed in 2022, the four older children have their own rooms. Prior to that, the unfinished space was used as an attic.

A central feature of the 1,500 sq. ft. addition is the theater room, complete with a 10-foot screen, 4K projector, 12 reclining theater seats, a popcorn machine, concession area and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

“It’s gotten really expensive to go to the movies,” Robin said. “We can have all the little ones making noise and not disturb anybody.”

Timeline

• Moved onto property - June 2012.

• Broke ground on house - August 2015.

• Poured concrete - March 2016.

• Began framing - December 2016.

• Moved in - March 2019

• Added front yard - June 2021.

• Finished out 1,500 sq. ft. on the second floor – 2022.

• Improved the backyard – 2022.

Now that they have the home they long dreamed of and worked for, the family most enjoys spending time in their backyard space, cooking in their kitchen, and family movie nights in the theater.

While the older children lived through it, Robin said she hopes their younger children will realize how she and David created their current reality one step at a time.

“We had to work and save and plan and be patient,” Robin said. “I want them, when they start out their lives, not to expect to have it all.”

David added, “People are financing out the ear for stuff they can’t pay for. You don’t have to have it all now.”

Building forward

The Thompsons still have goals to work toward. Next, they plan to improve their driveway and add an outdoor pavilion on the property.

“God gave us the desire to trust Him, and He has provided for our needs every step of the way,” Robin said. “I love seeing our children enjoy the home we have all worked on and dreamed about.”