Today we’d like to introduce you to Pedro.
Hi Pedro , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Bravo Petro Homes was founded in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, but our journey actually began earlier. At the time, I (Pedro) was living outside of Austin, focusing on my studies, while my brother Alejandro was working. With everything happening in the world, we both realized how much we missed Austin and decided to return to the city that had always felt like home. We’d always had a passion for construction, and after many discussions, we decided to take the leap and start Bravo Petro Homes in 2021.
Knowing we had a lot to learn, we reached out to Guido Canedo, a long-time friend of our dad’s and the owner of Canedo Builders, who had been building homes in Austin for many years. We asked him if he would teach us how to build homes, and he generously agreed. Guido became our mentor, guiding us through the early stages of our business and providing invaluable insight that helped us grow. His experience and advice were crucial, and we owe a lot of our early success to his mentorship.
Before this year, we focused exclusively on new builds. Our first project was an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) in the back of a lot in East Austin. It was a small project, but it provided us with essential hands-on experience. After that, we built two homes on the East Side, establishing our reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
As East Side lots became more expensive and competitive, we moved north along North Lamar to the Crestview and Brentwood areas. These neighborhoods gave us an opportunity to continue working on new builds. However, as the market continued to change, we found ourselves once again being priced out of these areas.
That’s when we decided to move a bit further north, to Georgian Acres, an area located just off North Lamar and 183. It was here that we found our sweet spot. The lots were not only more affordable, but they were also twice the size of the ones we had been purchasing before. This gave us the space to create larger, more innovative homes for our clients, all while maintaining a budget-friendly approach.
However, it’s important to note that Georgian Acres, while offering great potential for growth, is also a distressed area, struggling with issues such as drug activity and prostitution. Despite these challenges, we’ve committed ourselves to this community. Every day, we work not just to build homes, but to uplift the area and contribute to its revitalization. We’re focused on making a positive impact through our work—whether it’s bringing more beautiful homes to the neighborhood, supporting local organizations, or simply showing up and caring for the people who live here. We truly believe that by working together with the community, we can help turn things around and build a brighter future.
The peak of our building experience, however, came when we were invited to collaborate with North Arrow, an architectural firm, and Canedo Builders as co-builders to design and construct a home in Dripping Springs. This project was a defining moment for us—it was tough, but it was exactly the type of project we love the most. Working alongside North Arrow’s incredible design team and with Canedo Builders’ expertise, we pushed ourselves creatively and technically. It challenged us in ways we hadn’t experienced before. While the project was demanding, it was also incredibly rewarding. It taught us so much and ultimately gave us the kind of fulfillment we look for in our work—seeing a difficult project come to life and knowing we gave it our all.
After Canyonwood, we had the opportunity to help with the remodel of Taqueria 10/10, a fun project hidden in the alleyways of downtown Austin. This was the site of the old Fogo de Chão, a space with a lot of history, and transforming it into a vibrant new taqueria was both exciting and challenging. It was rewarding to contribute to a place that holds such significance in the local culture and help create an inviting atmosphere for both loyal customers and new visitors.
But as interest rates started to spike and competition became fiercer, we realized that the market was shifting once again. Rather than rushing into new construction, we decided the best move forward was to be patient with our ongoing projects in Georgian Acres and shift our focus to the growing demand for remodels. This allowed us to remain agile while still meeting the needs of homeowners who wanted to update and improve their existing homes.
We’ve been lucky to work with some amazing clients on remodel projects, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to completely transform their spaces. There’s nothing like seeing how a remodel can change the way someone feels inside their home. For us, it’s not just about the construction—it’s about creating a space that people love and that truly improves their quality of life.
And that’s where we are today—focused on growing our team so we can help out more people each time. We’re always striving to expand our capacity, take on more projects, and make a greater impact in the community. We’re excited for what the future holds and the opportunity to continue growing Bravo Petro Homes, one project and one person at a time
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At the beginning, the biggest challenge we faced was simply not knowing much about the business, especially on my end. My brother, Alejandro, had previous experience in construction, so he brought a lot of knowledge to the table. I, on the other hand, was coming into this completely fresh. I didn’t have any formal training in the field, so I had to learn everything from scratch—how to manage projects, understand the construction process, deal with contractors and clients, and even the intricacies of navigating the local market. It was overwhelming at times, but we were determined to figure it out.
As we started learning, we quickly realized one of the most important things in construction is finding good contractors you can trust. At first, we didn’t have the network or the relationships that come with years of experience, and it became clear how much of a difference having reliable, skilled contractors made. Over time, we built a solid team of people who not only shared our vision but who were also dependable and committed to delivering quality work. This was crucial for us to scale and ensure that we could complete projects on time and to the standards we aimed for.
Another challenge, one that we didn’t expect at first, was being in business together as brothers. While we share the same goals and vision for Bravo Petro Homes, running a business with a family member can be tough. There were moments where our personal dynamics came into play—different opinions, different ways of handling situations, and the challenges of balancing personal relationships with professional ones. But over time, we learned how to communicate better and appreciate each other’s strengths. It wasn’t always easy, but we’ve found that working together as brothers has also been one of our biggest strengths. We trust each other completely, and that trust has helped us overcome a lot of challenges. In the end, it brought us closer than we ever thought possible—our bond grew stronger as we learned and grew together in this business.
Along the way, we’ve had our fair share of tough lessons and hard realities in the construction world. We’ve flooded homes during the building process, dealt with being robbed of construction materials, and faced significant challenges just trying to pass inspections. These experiences taught us the importance of being vigilant and proactive in every aspect of the job. The setbacks, though frustrating, have only pushed us to be more prepared, more careful, and more resilient in every project we take on.
Four years in, we can honestly say that we’re still struggling every day to navigate the challenges of running a construction business, but our confidence has grown tremendously. Our ability to problem-solve has improved drastically. We’ve learned to think on our feet, make decisions faster, and approach challenges with a clearer head. We don’t have all the answers, and every day presents new obstacles, but we’re a lot better equipped to handle them than we were when we started.
One of the most important elements of our growth has been our current team. We’ve been fortunate to build a group of talented, reliable, and hardworking individuals who share our passion for quality and excellence. Our team has been instrumental in helping us navigate through tough times, keeping projects on track, and ensuring we maintain the high standards we set for ourselves. We truly believe that a strong, dedicated team is key to our continued success, and we’re incredibly proud of the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Bravo Petro Homes, we specialize in residential and commercial construction, focusing on both new builds and high-quality remodels. What truly sets us apart is the special attention we pay to our clients and how we actively involve them in the process. We want our clients to feel like part of the Bravo Petro Homes family, which is why we prioritize open communication, collaboration, and transparency every step of the way. We aim to make the construction process as smooth and enjoyable as possible, ensuring that our clients feel heard and supported from the very first consultation to the final walk-through.
What sets me and my brother, Alejandro, apart is our commitment to honesty and doing great things. We genuinely care about the people we work with, and that’s the foundation of how we run our business. We’re not just focused on building homes or structures; we’re focused on building trust and delivering value. We know that the construction industry has a reputation for being untrustworthy at times, and we’re actively working to change that perception. We want to show people that contractors can be reliable, transparent, and dedicated to the success of their clients’ projects.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The road hasn’t always been easy, but it’s the challenges that have shaped us and made the journey worthwhile
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bravopetrohomes.com/
- Instagram: @Bravopetrohomes
