Today we’d like to introduce you to Rudy Lopez.
Hi Rudy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Rudy Lopez, and together with my wife, Linda Baier, we run 1626 Construction LLC.
I’m the heart of the company and my story in construction goes way back. I started my career in the early 2000s in Las Vegas, working as a laborer and apprentice for a well-known Home-builder. Those early years gave me a solid foundation in all kinds of residential construction, and it didn’t take me long to realize that building and creating was what I was meant to do.
After about five years, I made the move to Austin and began working for a masonry company in West Austin. Bit by bit, I built some skills, reputation, and eventually decided to take a leap as an independent contractor, working on both residential and commercial projects.
When the 2008 recession hit, things got really tough for small businesses in construction. I kept going for as long as I could, and eventually took on a position for a local builder company here in Austin. During that time, I worked with some incredible architects, designers, and tradespeople on high-end renovations, commercial builds, and custom homes, many of which ended up earning awards and recognition around Central Texas. That experience also taught me all the ins and outs of building permits and processes here in Austin, which, as you can imagine, can get pretty complex!
After more than 20 years in the industry, I decided it was time to step out on my own again! this time with a clear vision and purpose. In 2021, Linda and I founded 1626 Construction LLC with the goal of offering high-quality renovations and construction services built on transparency, craftsmanship, and genuine care for our clients.
As for Linda, she handles the office side of things, she is the Office Manager and my partner in every sense of the word. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from a Jesuit university, and her background is in financial analysis. She joined 1626 Construction full-time in 2022, and since then, she has been managing our finances, organizing operations, and helping keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Outside of work, our family and faith keep us grounded. We’re active members of Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda, TX, and we love volunteering together in many other organizations. Our kids keep us busy and inspired too! They remind us daily why we do what we do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. But honestly, I think that’s part of what makes the journey worthwhile. When we decided to start 1626 Construction in 2021, the industry was unpredictable, material shortages, price hikes, all of it! But we knew we wanted to build something that reflected what we believe in: honest work, quality craftsmanship, and treating clients the way we’d want to be treated.
So no, it hasn’t been an easy road, It made us better, more patient, and more grateful for the people and opportunities along the way.
I think that’s what defines us as a company: we don’t give up when things get hard , we build through it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our specialty is Kitchen and Bathroom renovations. But we do all types of construction , custom builds, and light commercial projects.
Most of our work is in the Austin and Buda area, and 90% comes from referrals! which I take as the biggest compliment.
What we’re known for, I’d say, is the personal touch. We keep our process transparent and communication open from start to finish. I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years, and one thing I’ve learned is that homeowners appreciate honesty as much as craftsmanship.
We take a lot of pride in the quality of our work, but more than that, I’m proud of the relationships we build along the way. Many of our clients end up becoming friends, and that means a lot to us!
We treat every project as if it were our own home, and that shows in the details. We don’t chase volume, we focus on doing it right, even if it takes a little longer.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
We are very proud to be in Buda!!! We love our community!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1626construction.com
- Instagram: @1626construction
- Facebook: @1626construction
Image Credits:
1626 Construction
