Starting a remodeling contractor business began with a dream
The Moreno brothers, Evencio (right), Ignacio (left) and Pedro (not pictured) started Nacho’s Painting Service in Dallas in 2008.
For Ignacio Moreno, the decision to start his own contracting business had everything to do with family. He and his two brothers, Pedro and Evencio, had been working for a paint contractor in New Jersey for seven years when they all decided to start their own painting contractor company near their extended family in Texas. “It was hard for us to be away from our relatives,” he says. “Starting a contractor business began with a dream to provide more for our families.”
In 2008, the Moreno brothers started Nacho’s Painting Service in Dallas. In addition to the problems of starting a remodeling contractor business in a rough economic climate, the brothers faced the challenges of starting a painting contractor business in an unfamiliar area. That’s when the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA) became invaluable to them.
Ignacio Moreno says RHCA provided all the information and advice they needed to start and run the business. From compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations to construction management, he says the entire association – and RHCA President John Martinez, in particular – helped Nacho’s Painting be profitable from the start.
“My brothers and I had painting experience, but we knew nothing about management or even the best way to bid jobs,” he says. “We didn’t even know the area very well at first. Martinez and RHCA became our go-to resource when we were getting started.”
Nacho’s Painting Service was able to hit the ground running. They landed a large hotel contract as their first job, and that soon led to a steady stream of commercial and residential work. But like most construction companies in recent years, the tough economy hasn’t made it easy. Although the company was able to keep six employees working for a while, they were forced to cut down to four recently.
Still, Ignacio Moreno is optimistic about the future. “When times are tough, you need to think like a hunter,” he says. “Keep moving forward and don’t stop hunting for work opportunities.”
And he credits RHCA for its continued assistance and training. “RHCA continues to provide valuable information and training, and they keep us in touch with other contractors in the area so we can maintain a healthy network of potential job opportunities,” he says.
