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Keeping it all in the family
Curl’s Construction, Inc. doing business since 1982
By Yvonne Hartmann
Whether it is with metal or wood, David Curl has always been in some aspect of the building industry.
Curl’s Construction, Inc., has been doing business in Gillespie County since 1982 as a family-owned and operated company.
They specialize in new construction, remodels and light commercial construction.
“We want to give our customers their dream home,” David said, while working on a very energy efficient home.
“We are primarily a new home builder, but we do a lot of remodeling and some light commercial jobs,” said Cathy Curl, adding that they just finished a job that included completely gutting the home and moving walls.
With all of their jobs, David said that
In business since 1982, the family-owned and operated Curl’s Construction, Inc. includes from left, Keith Curl, David Curl, Cathy Curl and Kevin Curl. — Submitted photo
their main goal is “to have happy clients when they are done.”
David leads the company as president and CEO. He works directly with the customers, prepares quotes, checks job sites at least daily, orders materials and handles
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Curl’s Construction, Inc. built the first ICF home in the Fredericksburg city limits. The home was featured on the 2019 Christmas Home Tour. — Submitted photo
all of the administrative duties.
Wife Cathy has been working as bookkeeper, quality control inspector and directly with the customers, assisting with selections for the homes since 1999.
Their two children, Kevin and Keith, joined in the company after graduating from Fredericksburg High School in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Both are job superintendents and each runs a crew of workers.
The Curls’ daughter, Theresa, while growing up in the business, chose a different direction in pursuing her future, but still resides in Fredericksburg.
Getting started
David has always been involved in some part of the construction business, according to Cathy, who added that his parents owned a welding manufacturing business in the valley.
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While living in Edinburg, David was involved in welding and repair and did a lot of work on agricultural equipment.
After the Curls moved to Fredericksburg in 1980 from the valley, David did some welding jobs.
“There just wasn’t that much demand, so he went to work for Stein Lumber Company,” Cathy said. “He saw the demand for building construction so he went into the business. After having several partners over the years, he took the plunge and went out on his own.”
Satisfied customers
“Our goal is to have satisfied customers,” Cathy said.
And to that end, David said, “We work really hard to try to please our customers.”
She said that most of their customers are referred to them by word of mouth and that they have a number of repeat customers.
“A lot of our jobs are repeat customers,” Cathy said. “Some have sold their homes and want to rebuild or remodel. A lot of times we get a customer because they liked
Adding a porch to a remodeling project done by Curl’s Construction Inc. were from left, Keith Curl, Kevin Curl and Jeronimo Arias. — Submitted photo
our camaraderie, our quotes, the way we do business or they saw a project that we have done.”
For example, she said, when they present a quote to a customer, the information is based on a spread sheet.
“We figure line by line how the project is going to add up at the bottom,” Cathy said. “We include what the materials are going to cost, the cost for the plumbing, electrical, flooring, etc. We break it down line by line.”
Cathy said that they used to attend building trades shows, but now they primarily rely on research, their customers and subcontractors to keep up with the latest trends.
“We are relying on our subcontractors for new innovations and new products on the market,” she said.
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When it comes to designing a home, the Curls utilize designers and architects for the blueprints. David does do some in-house floor plans while working with the customers.
Some of their work
After being in business for almost 40 years, the work of Curl’s Construction can be seen around Fredericksburg and Gillespie County.
The Curls built the first ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) home in the Fredericksburg city limits.
“It looked like a Lego house before the finishing façade was put on the outside,” Cathy said.
In ICF homes, the exterior walls are poured with concrete to ensure safety and energy efficiency.
Curl’s Construction also completed the first house in the Stoneridge subdivision and built the original structure at Wildseed Farms.
In addition, they remodeled Friedhelm’s Bavarian Inn following the owner’s ideas and concepts.
Doing business today
Cathy said that they are fortunate to be able to continue working due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are still working, but we are not going into the individual homes,” she said. “We are putting off interior work until the pandemic calms down.”
Rather, they are keeping busy building greenhouses, fences and work outside the homes.
“We are doing everything we can to keep the guys working,” she said, while making sure that they stay compliant with safety rules and regulations and maintain social distancing.
She said that their crews usually consist of six or less, and that they have two crews.
“We have had to be resourceful to keep the guys working so they are able to take care of their families,” Cathy said.
DOING BUSINESS: 1798 U.S. 87 South • 830-997-9397
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