About Us
Meet Nate Forti of Bluebonnet Construction in Central Dallas
Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Forti.
Nate, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey in construction started when I was just 13 years old, working as a helper for my father’s landscaping and construction company. On weekends and during the summers of my teenage years, I mowed yards, pulled weeds, and worked mostly outside to buy the skateboards and shoes that I wanted. I quickly fell in love with working with my hands and the feeling of excitement when customers saw a completed project for the first time. Through the years, my brother and I work hard with my father. He instilled a relentless work ethic in us that has proven imperative to my journey in construction.
After graduating from Bishop Dunne Catholic High School in Oak Cliff, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to go to college without also working. So, after reaching out to friends and calling local construction companies, I landed a position as an electrical apprentice. I would go on to work for this company for ten years, earning my electrical license and promotions from apprentice to project manager. Since the day I started, I always loved what I did. The electrical trade became such a gift to me and I couldn’t be more grateful for finding a trade as rewarding as being an electrician. During my last two years with FSG Electric, I started a small lawn care company to try and make extra income while also working my full-time job. It wasn’t long before clients were asking for help with their small home renovation projects. I let a few pass me by before I started to really think about taking on a project. My first client, a client I still work with to this day, trusted me to renovate his dilapidated two-story garage apartment in Lower Greenville. This was a tricky project due to structural issues with the building and city zoning complexities. Despite these challenges, we were able to get the job done and done well! Thinking back on how energizing that first project was still motivates me today.
Soon after I completed my first project, I began work on a garage renovation, which came as a referral from my first client! For this job, we added a second story to the attic space above the garage. This project was more complicated and took more time, but was a success! My clients even threw a big party and invited me as a guest to celebrate their new space. Opportunities continued to present themselves, and just months later, I was able to win a bid on remodeling about 25 patient bathrooms at Valley Hope Rehab Clinic in Grapevine. This job was especially significant as it was going to mean consistent and daily work for several months. However, this job also forced me to face a huge decision, continue to work full time and not be able to give 100% to my new business, or go all-in and quit my full-time job to take on my new venture. I went all-in.
I took a leap of faith and haven’t looked back since. I made it a priority to work with people I trusted, creating jobs for close friends and former coworkers. I enlisted the very people that had elevated me in my early years as an electrician. I looked to trusted local professionals and continued to educate myself as a general contractor. In the last five years of service, I’ve worked with over 175 clients, completed millions of dollars of work, provided reliable income to dozens of contractors and vendors, and made a name for myself I can truly stand behind. I am incredibly proud of the impact Bluebonnet Construction has made and the completed projects we’ve left behind.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
October 2020 marks five years of business, and I can say looking back that it’s been anything but easy! We have confronted many challenges from hiring and firing employees, controlling quality from subcontractors to chasing down money owed to us from clients unable to pay. We have been incredibly fortunate to work with clients and employees from all walks of life while establishing long-lasting business relationships. Despite the challenges we have faced, we managed to stay focused on the big picture and enjoy doing what we love to do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Bluebonnet Construction LLC is a residential and commercial general contracting company that specializes in renovations. We find ourselves most comfortable in old historic homes or dilapidated businesses that are looking for a refreshing new look or design.
As a business owner, I am most proud of the impact our work has had on our client’s home and business life. Whether it is commercial or residential, it is incredibly rewarding to transform a house into a home or old beaten down commercial space into a vibrant and lively gym or restaurant. Our ability to communicate effectively, foresee potential impacts to budget and scope, and navigate solutions to deliver a premium and quality product sets us apart from our peers.
What were you like growing up?
As a kid, I loved working and creating with my hands. At 12 or so I remember enjoying helping my father change the brakes on the cars or wash the family vehicles. As a hobby, I enjoyed skateboarding daily. I didn’t have access to skate parks and equipment, so with scrap materials left over from my father’s projects, I would build ramps and skate boxes for my friends and I to enjoy in our driveways. In high school, I spent my time playing sports and restoring an old Ford Maverick I bought as my first vehicle. It is safe to say that my love of building and restoring started at a very young age and the feeling I got back then from creating something still motivates me today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bluebonnetconstruction.com
- Phone: 214-864-8845
- Email: nate.forti@bluebonnetconstructionllc.com
- Instagram: @bluebonnet_construction_llc
