Building Homes That Last with Billy Rousseau

He started his construction company in 2010, in the teeth of the worst housing downturn in a generation - and today he still walks every job site himself to pick up nails.In this episode, Reese sits down with Billy Rousseau, Founder of RJA Construction, LLC, a Dallas-based custom home and renovation firm now celebrating 15 years in business and a two-time Remodeler of the Year and McSAM Award winner. Billy traces his path from a Texas Tech business degree he didn't know what to do with, to framing homes as a laborer in the mountains of New Mexico, to building RJA into an award-winning firm that partners with the city's top architects and design groups. Reese and Billy get into when saving a historic Dallas home beats tearing it down, how RJA sources and matches salvaged brick for century-old facades, why cost-plus contracts and contingency budgeting protect clients from surprises, and why Texas' lack of contractor licensing worries him after going through New Mexico's process himself. They also cover the case for trade schools over a four-year degree, the skilled-labor shortage the industry has faced since the 2008 recession, and how faith and servant leadership shape the way Billy runs his company.Full episode + show notes: arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallasTOPICS COVERED:* Starting RJA Construction in 2010, in the middle of the financial crisis* From a Texas Tech business degree to framing homes in New Mexico* Why the construction industry lost a generation of skilled trade talent* The case for trade schools over a four-year degree* Renovate vs. rebuild: when saving a historic Dallas home beats tearing it down* Sourcing and matching salvaged brick for historic renovations* Cost-plus contracts and building in contingency for budget surprises* Why Texas has no contractor licensing, and what that costs homeowners* The Disney Streets whole-home transformation and winning Remodeler of the Year* Faith, servant leadership, and picking up nails on every job siteCONNECT WITH BILLY ROUSSEAU:Website: rjadallas.comInstagram: @rjaconstructiondallasFacebook: RJA Construction, LLCLinkedIn: RJA Construction, LLCABOUT BUILDING DALLAS:Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become.Produced by Arrington Media Hosted by Arrington Roofing  (00:00) - Intro: Meet Billy Rousseau, Founder of RJA Construction Dallas (01:38) - From Business Degree to Construction Laborer in New Mexico (04:45) - Moving Back to Dallas & Founding RJA Construction (2010) (08:57) - How the 2008 Recession Reshaped the Construction Industry (11:06) - Trade Schools vs. College: Solving the Skilled Labor Shortage (13:39) - Renovate vs. Rebuild: Saving Dallas's Historic Homes (21:39) - Matching Brick & Sourcing Materials for Custom Renovations (26:02) - Scaling RJA Construction From 2010 Through COVID (37:09) - Cost-Plus Contracts & Managing Budget Surprises (41:30) - The Truth About HGTV: Reality vs. Renovation TV (44:58) - Experience vs. Expertise in Custom Home Renovation (50:47) - Servant Leadership: Why Trust Builds a Construction Business (56:07) - Award-Winning Renovations: McSAM Awards & Remodeler of the Year (59:39) - Case Study: The Disney Streets Home Transformation (01:02:35) - Dallas Home Tours & Preserving Historic Architecture (01:04:34) - Why Texas Needs Contractor Licensing (Lessons from New Mexico) (01:09:33) - Faith, Identity & Walking with God in Business (01:18:36) - What's Next for RJA Construction