28
Texas Association of Builders
March/April 2015
Builder Profile
W
ho would have imagined
that one of Austin’s premiere
builders would have his start
across the Atlantic in England? For David
Wilkes of David Wilkes Builders, that path
seems only natural.
With close family connections in the building
industry, Wilkes spent his teenage years
working with his uncle in the construction
business. After graduating from one of
England’s prestigious engineering and
construction schools, the Wolverhampton
University’s School of Engineering and the
Built Environment, Wilkes and a friend took
a vacation to the U.S. “We had of course
been bombarded with American television
growing up and always wanted to go,” said
Wilkes. “After we went back, we had itchy feet
and ended up coming back stateside in 1985.”
During their tour of the U.S., the two travelers
had made business connections in Austin, and
with the building boom going on during the
mid-1980s, it made sense for them to move
there. “When I got here in 1985, I ended up
working for a remodeling contractor, mostly
doing carpentry,”Wilkes said. The experience
proved to be positive as he worked his way up
to a supervisory position, which readied him
for what was to come next.
Getting Down to Business
In 1990, Wilkes and a colleague decided
it was time to move out on their own
and they began their own company. The
company primarily started in remodeling,
but eventually branched out into new
construction as well. Over the years, Wilkes
built on his experiences and in 2008, he
and his wife, Catherine, rebranded the
company as David Wilkes Builders.
Wilkes’ education and experience have
built the company into one of Austin’s most
respected builders, but they aren’t the only
reasons David Wilkes Builders has been
a success. “We’re in the service industry
and need to be sympathetic,” said Wilkes.
“Across the board I try and instill a service-
based approach.” Each customer is treated
with respect, particularly in remodels in
which the homeowner is still living in the
home during construction. Attention is
given to reduce interruptions in the lives
of the homeowners, and a commitment
to communication with each client has
proven successful. “Communication is
From England to Austin, a Journey of Construction
David Wilkes | David Wilkes Builders
By Michael Reed
