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In the aftermath of major storms like Tropical Storm Harvey, Tanner West wanted to help Southeast Texans get back on their feet.
The Lumberton native and owner of Texas Construction Resources noticed an influx of people and businesses engaged in renovation and expansion projects at the time, so he began various works like land clearing, excavation and construction of custom ponds and walkways in 2019.
Now his services take him all over the Golden Triangle.
The Enterprise sat down with West to discuss Texas Construction Resources and the impact of his work on the region.
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Q: How did Texas Construction Resources get started?
A: I started doing a lot of residential work. After the hurricanes passed (the area), we tried to figure out what was effective during that time.
I saw a window open where there were opportunities for growth and lots of business. So what I did was I went out and bought a little piece of equipment that I would use for maybe six months to a year, and then we just started growing.
I went to buy a brand new 2020 track-o (machine), a 2020 (dozer). I did a lot of advertising on Facebook. I get a lot of my business from Facebook.
We started this business with nothing. It started with absolutely nothing. Over time, we started doing jobs for more notable locations (like Gator Country)…we started moving into very heavy commercial and industrial jobs.
My goal is to be fully mobilized to do fully industrial work (by the end of 2023)…As business has taken off, we service and serve just about anyone in the area who needs any type of land clearing .
Q: There also seems to be a demand for amenities such as RV parks. What are you seeing in Southeast Texas and where is that demand for these projects?
A: I always thought RV parks were on the rise due to the economy and after the election (2020) because it’s a different life.
For a while, mobile homes and tiny homes and things like that started to disappear. Now, with the economy and the times we live in, it’s starting to become more common. People (looking at) a cheaper way of life (without) having to go out and break the bank and not be able to afford to get to and from work with fuel prices…
So yes, I think RV parks are very important now. I’ve probably built 10 (in 2022); we just completed a (Texas) 1442 for one of our customers.
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Q: Regarding supply chain issues, have you been affected?
A: The thing that has affected me the most in recent years is fuel.
In 2019, I probably spent $60,000 a year on fuel just for my gear. In 2022, I spent over $175,000 on fuel.
Obviously, with the increase in fuel, we have to increase our work a little. It costs more to clear land than it used to, and that’s just over a few years.
Q: When does business slow down for you?
A: December is a bad time of year for this industry, strictly due to the Southeast Texas weather. It’s raining and raining and raining.
I have buddies who just got into this business a few months ago and find out very quickly that it’s the time of year if you don’t have that (financial) cushion saved up and need to acquire a backup plan, you can fail very easily.
Fortunately, in three years, we were able to establish ourselves enough to get through this period…
Q: What is meant by peak time for business demand?
A: I’d say our best month we’ve had in 2022 – probably tied the same month in 2021 – (was) June and July.
I don’t think we took a single day off in June and July. We were 31 days 24 hours a day, from morning until nightfall… TCR grew a lot in June (2022). We took on our first major industrial projects. This project led to another industrial project… We have customers in Houston contacting us now…
June and July are excellent months for this industry.
Q: When embarking on a new project, how does the weather dictate when you start?
A: I can’t start a new project if it’s raining. If it shows it’s going to rain on Saturday, it shows it’s going to rain next week, I’ve learned not to move my gear to these new jobs until we know we have seven days of good weather. We need all this time to start.
We never fix our days. If the weather is good, we will work on Saturday and Sunday.
(Also around October) we were in a citywide burn ban. It was too hot to burn; you can’t burn the trees, (and) you can’t get out. So we have a plan in place for our customers.
We’ve done about six to eight clearing jobs, and we’ve made a contract for our clients saying, “Hey, we’re going to come clean it up, we’re going to pile it all up, and when they lift the burning ban, we’ll be right back.” that it will be dry and we will burn the property… We just want the money for the service.
This gives them peace of mind that we are proceeding in phases to get this job done right. We don’t want to come back when the burning ban is lifted because it’s too wet. We prefer to know that (the site) has already been cleaned up…
Don’t get me wrong, there are times when it rains where we can work in the rain, if it’s just a little rain or something.
Q: In addition to work obligations, you mentioned that you are a single father of two children. How do you balance all of this?
A: It’s a lot. I was kind of made for that. My dad, he owned several businesses growing up, and he earned a respectful name in the city.
When I separated from him, I was only 20, I went to work for several different companies trying to figure out where I fit in and where I belong. I worked for a guy in town at an investment firm for four and a half years, ended up moving to Austin, moving to Houston… It all brought me back here…
The money comes if you work hard enough. The most important thing is to try to keep a good balance.
I find a balance by spending time with my children. I accepted that I have to take the time to be there for my friends. I have to be able to find time and do these things. I find peace and comfort in taking care of my employees as best I can, letting them know how much I care about them. Little things like that keep me mentally focused…
If it wasn’t for my kids, I don’t think I would have the mindset and mentality that I have to continue…
There are times when I take my two children to work with me… but yes, I try to keep this balance between children and work.
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