Wayne Ball is the president and founder of Lone Star Building & Construction, a residential remodeling company in Houston. He has over 35 years of experience in construction and understands the intricacies of remodeling. Ball values quality craftsmanship and treating customers well above all else. He believes running an honest, customer-focused business is key to success in the remodeling industry. Ball works closely with his family in running the business and has found involvement with local builders associations to provide valuable education and networking opportunities over the years.

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, it’s 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 don’t 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 there’s one thing that keeps Ball going, or our emotions dictate how we behave York and spent his childhood working
it’s 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 that’s 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 Ball’s 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. “It’s
he has witnessed a dramatic change in the
roles in Lone Star Building & Construction. frustrating to see people get into remodel-
industry’s workforce. He feels that there is
Ball’s 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. Ball’s sister, Tammie Sanchez, is cream always rises to the top, so if you run
blame for it.
the company’s 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 we’ve 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 today’s 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-
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