Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Gonzales.
Hi Casey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
CRAMT was always a dream of mine. I’ve been in the industry since I was 15 when I started laying tile with my uncle. My roles evolved over the years, I started at the bottom and have worked my way through the full spectrum of positions, from estimating for a manufactured home builder to ultimately becoming a General Manager for a multi-family contractor, I also held roles in the finance field, so my experience has given me a comprehensive understanding of all the working parts of a team. The relationships I’ve built over my 30 plus years in the industry have also been crucial to the success of our business. My wife, Kelly (who’s done bookkeeping since she was 19) and I decided to launch CRAMT in 2014 in our hometown of Buda. However, it wasn’t until 2018, after the loss of my eldest son, that we found the courage to take our biggest leap of faith and go full time with CRAMT. I left my GC job and, along with my first employee, Christian, began working to build CRAMT into what it is today. After our first year in full-time operation, I was able to bring my wife, our sons Trey, Anthony, Michael & Ryan into our growing business. Since then, by the grace of God and the support of our community and clients who have become like family, our company continues to thrive. My gratitude for our success cannot adequately be put into words. Each day begins with that gratitude, and we pour it into all we do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being in business is never a smooth road. COVID changed everything. Because the business is so personal to us, the challenges that came with 2020 and many that have remained since, are truly a struggle at times. The rising cost of fuel, materials, higher interest rates and overall cost of living have affected us all and we are extremely mindful of that. When a client chooses us to spend their hard-earned money on a project with us, we do not take that lightly. We recognize that they’re trusting us not only with their money, but also their biggest asset – their home and something they worked very hard for. Working through these challenges requires us to constantly hone our adaptability, maintaining strong relationships, and never losing sight of the responsibility that comes with earning someone’s trust.
We’ve been impressed with CRAMT Enterprise, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
CRAMT Enterprise is a family-owned and operated general contracting & septic company based in our hometown of Buda, Texas. We also raised our boys here Buda isn’t just where we do business—it’s where we built our life and raised our boys. Our roots here run deep, and maintaining a strong reputation in the community is incredibly important to us. We specialize in residential construction and remodeling, from smaller renovation projects to large-scale remodels and custom homes. Our septic department provides septic installation, repair, maintenance contracts and inspection services.
What sets us apart is that this truly is a family business. Our name, CRAMT, represents our five sons, Casey, Ryan, Anthony, Michael & Trey. Our family unit is involved in the day-to-day operation of the company. When someone hires CRAMT, they aren’t hiring a large company, they’re working directly with the people whose name and reputation are attached to the work. We are also incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built. Many of our clients have become friends, repeat customers and some genuinely feel like family. Much of our business has grown through referrals and word of mouth, and after more than 30 years in this industry, the relationships we’ve built with our subcontractors, vendors and other professionals are equally important to us. I think what we’re most proud of is that CRAMT has grown without losing the reason we started it. We want to do quality work, treat people fairly, communicate honestly and build something our family can be proud to put its name on. Whether someone trusts us with a small repair or building their home from the ground up, that trust means something to us. At the end of the day, we don’t want CRAMT to simply be known for the projects we’ve completed. We want to be known for how we treated people while completing them. Despite the challenges that come with this type of work, the fulfillment it brings us is a true blessing, and one we never take for granted.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the construction industry will continue to evolve significantly over the next 5–10 years. Affordability is already one of the biggest challenges facing both homeowners and builders, and I believe consumers will continue to become more thoughtful about where and how they invest their money. Rising costs, interest rates, changing technology and increasingly complex building requirements will require contractors to remain adaptable and knowledgeable. For us, though, growth has never meant becoming the biggest company in the room. We would actually like to remain relatively small and humble. We never want our clients to become just a number or their project to become one of so many that we lose the personal experience that has been such an important part of who we are. Quality over quantity will always matter to us. One advantage we have as the industry changes is the diversity of experience within our family. In addition to my construction background and our septic expertise, my wife, Kelly, is also a licensed Realtor. Her experience in real estate gives us another perspective on the decisions our clients are making—not only how something is built, but how those decisions can affect a property’s value, marketability and future. As our industry continues to change, we want to continue learning and evolving with it without losing the qualities that got us here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.CRAMTENT.com
- Facebook: @CRAMTENTERPRISE
- Other: TikTok: cramt126
