The Most Trusted Name in Investor Renovations
Construction project management built for speed, strategy, and resale.
At First Call Construction, we’re more than just general contractors — we’re strategic project managers with investor instincts. We’ve flipped houses ourselves, and we’ve built this company around what actually works in San Antonio real estate: getting projects done efficiently, to code, and without the drama.
We understand permits, inspections, scopes, budgets, lender timelines, and how to keep a jobsite moving — all while helping you avoid costly mistakes that tank a deal.
What We Do Best
Full Renovations for Investors
We specialize in gut jobs and value-add projects — from trash-out to finish-out — all the way to photo-ready.
Permitting & Inspection Strategy
We pull the right permits and keep the city off your back. We’ve even helped clients clean up past violations and Strike Team letters.
Investor-Aligned Project Management
We speak your language. Every line item is scoped, priced, and tracked to support your goals — whether you’re flipping or holding.
Reliable, Credentialed Crews
We’re licensed, bonded, insured, and partnered with the top tradesmen in Bexar County. No Craigslist handymen. No ghosting.
We’re professionals, we know the process
Most problems in this business come from hiring the wrong kind of help. We’re not handymen. We’re not moonlighters. And we’re not here to wing it. Compare them to us:
| First Call | The Rest |
|---|---|
 We scope jobs the way investors underwrite deals |  Unlicensed crews |
| We design timelines around your draw schedule and resale goals | Permits not pulled |
| We stay legal, fast, and focused on the finish line | Shoddy finishes |
| Missed inspections | |
| Disappearing Contractors |
Our Core Promise
We’re here to help you scale — not stress.
If you want a crew that gets real estate investing, knows how to deal with the city, and isn’t afraid to pull a permit…
We’re your first call.
About Us
We’re not just building houses. We’re fixing how renovations get done.
Our Story
First Call Construction was born out of frustration — and built with purpose. As real estate investors ourselves, we spent years trying to find contractors who showed up, pulled permits, hit timelines, and respected budgets. What we found instead were ghosted job sites, hidden costs, shoddy work, and inspectors red-tagging houses we thought were “ready.”
So we built what we wish we could have hired; A licensed, professional, investor-focused renovation company — with systems that make sense and crews that show up.
And it’s working! We’ve helped dozens of investors transform disaster flips into profitable exits — legally, quickly, and with permits pulled.
We’re Investor focused
We’re not your average GC. And we’re definitely not a guy with a truck and a cousin who “does floors.” Our company focuses on the real estate investor. We work with the flippers, landlords, realtors and wholesalers. We speak construction and investment fluently — so you don’t have to translate.
We pull permits. Every time.
We understand hard money timelines, draw schedules, and resale goals.
We’ve worked on Strike Team houses and know how to handle inspectors.
We built our process around the same things you underwrite: timeline, cost, and exit strategy.
We’re licensed, bonded, insured — and respected by top tradesmen in San Antonio.
Meet the Management Team
Joshua Zepeda
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
“I built First Call for people like me — investors who were tired of getting burned.”
Joshua is a licensed real estate broker, investor, and construction expert with over 7 years of experience in San Antonio’s toughest flips. Before launching First Call Construction, he spent years navigating the chaos of unlicensed contractors, inspection failures, and busted timelines — and decided enough was enough.
Today, Joshua brings strategic oversight, contract expertise, and investor-minded leadership to every project. He’s known for his sharp negotiating skills, deep knowledge of local permit law, and commitment to delivering projects that sell — not stall.
When he’s not managing job sites or planning with engineers, you’ll find him boxing, gaming, or convincing someone to read a contract just “for fun.”
Judy Buckert
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
“Good construction is all about systems. We run like a business — because we are one.”
Judy is the heartbeat of First Call Construction’s operations. With a background in logistics and business systems, she’s the one making sure materials show up, crews stay on task, and timelines don’t slip through the cracks.
Her no-nonsense approach, paired with a deep understanding of construction sequencing, makes her the go-to for everything from scheduling to sourcing. Whether it’s ordering fixtures, managing budgets, or smoothing out supply chain kinks, Judy keeps the machine running.
Her favorite tools are Excel and caffeine — and yes, she will notice if a door is hung crooked.
Services
Full-scope Residential Renovations — From Foundation to Finish-Out.
First Call Construction handles everything involved in transforming a property — whether you’re doing a make-ready, a cosmetic flip, or a full-gut rehab. We’re licensed, insured, bonded, and built to finish.
If it’s part of a house, we can fix it, build it, or replace it — legally and to code.
Structural & Major Systems
- Foundation leveling (pier & beam with permit + engineering letter)
- Framing (walls, subfloor, layout changes, extensions)
- Structural repair (joists, beams, headers, support posts)
- Roof tear-off & replacement (shingle only)
- Roof framing, decking, flashing, vents
- Full home rewiring (permit + panel upgrade if needed)
- Full home re-plumbing (supply, drain, vents)
- Water heater install (electric, gas)
- HVAC system replacement (unit, ductwork, returns)
- Attic ventilation and basic insulation
Exterior Renovations
- Siding repair and replacement (lap siding, fiber cement, wood)
- Skirting installation (mobile/manufactured homes)
- Exterior paint (1 base + 1 trim color)
- Window replacement (standard size, permit if required)
- Door install (front, back, sliders, storm doors)
- Driveway installation (concrete, new pour only)
- Deck & porch framing and repair (basic structures)
- Fence repair and installation (wood only)
- Landscaping (mow, edge, trim to 6ft/2ft city code clearance)
- Tree trimming (not full removal)
Interior Carpentry & Finishes
- Full house demo and trash-out
- Sheetrock install, patching, repair
- Orange peel texture (spray-on)
- Interior painting (ceilings, walls, trim)
- Flooring installation (LVP, laminate, tile, carpet install only)
- Subfloor repair/replacement
- Baseboards, casing, trim installation
- Door installation (interior, prehung, slab, bifold)
- Window & door casing
- Closet shelving and rods
- Open shelving installation (kitchen, bath, living)
Kitchen Renovations
- Cabinet installation (shaker, prefab, custom layout)
- Countertop installation (butcher block, laminate)
- Tile backsplash installation
- Sink & faucet install
- Range hood & appliance hookups (install only, no appliance sales)
- Bar counter framing and finishing
Bath Renovations
- Vanity installation
- Toilet installation (standard height/elongated)
- Mirror installation
- Tiled shower surrounds (custom waterproofing, tile, grout)
- Prefab tub/shower unit install
- Shower niche framing and tile
- Exhaust fan installation
- Custom layout conversions (when included in full-gut)
Fixtures & Finish-Out
- Light fixture installation (interior & exterior)
- Ceiling fan install
- Switch & outlet install or replacement (licensed electrical only)
- Hardware install (door knobs, cabinet pulls, towel bars)
- Smart lock and keypad install
- Smoke detector replacement (battery or hardwired)
Permit, Compliance & Project Management
- Permit pulling and tracking (we know what needs it and what doesn’t)
- City inspections and coordination
- Strike Team remediation (violation correction + documentation)
- Retrospective permits and engineering letters
- Scope writing and project planning
- Investor-aligned project management (including lender draw support)
- Timeline and crew coordination
- Final walkthroughs & quality assurance
Final Touches & Make-Ready
- Lock changeouts
- Deep clean (construction debris, dust, floors, surfaces)
- Final blue-tape walkthrough and touch-up
- Yard cleanup and trash haul-off
- Photo-ready presentation
The Right People for your Project
It’s a common mistake; You’ve got a house to flip or a remodel to finish, and someone offers to do it for cheap. They say they’ve “done this before,” and they give you a quote on the back of a napkin. Sounds good — until the city gets involved, the work falls apart, or the job just never gets finished.
That’s the handyman trap. And here’s how it compares:
General Contractor vs. Handyman — Side-by-Side
| Task / Feature | Handyman | Licensed General Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Legally permitted to pull city permits | No | Yes — licensed with the city |
| Can coordinate electricians, plumbers, HVAC | Not legally | Absolutely — we manage trades |
| Required to follow city code | Not enforced | Always inspected and compliant |
| Liability insurance | ❓ Maybe | Fully insured & bonded |
| Engineering or plan review | Not qualified | We coordinate directly with engineers |
| Strike Team compliance | No idea what that is | We handle it all |
| Timeline management | “I’ll get to it” | Scope, schedule, updates |
| Can be held accountable | Good luck finding them | Bonded and Insured |
| Pull permits and pass inspections | Nope | Every job, every time |
| Real estate investor ready | No experience with flips/lending | Built from the ground up for investors |
Why This Matters
Hiring a handyman might seem cheaper upfront — but unpermitted work, failed inspections, or having to redo everything later will destroy your budget.
We’ve seen:
- Deals delayed or lost because a flip couldn’t pass final inspection
- Homeowners forced to tear out brand new kitchens because they weren’t to code
- Landlords stuck with unsafe work that couldn’t be insured or refinanced
A licensed general contractor (like us) is trained, legal, and structured to finish the job right — not just quickly.
When Do You Need a General Contractor?
- If permits are required
- If you’re replacing major systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof, structure)
- If the city has already flagged the property
- If you’re selling or refinancing the house soon
- If you’re working with a lender or hard money
- If you want one team to coordinate the full renovation start to finish
When Is a Handyman Okay?
We’ll shoot straight — handymen are great for:
- Small repairs under $1,000
- Basic patchwork (caulk, drywall, paint touch-ups)
- Non-structural tasks that don’t require a permit
Strike Team Help
Got a letter from the city? Failed inspection? We can help you fix it, fast — and legally.
If You’ve Been Hit by the City, Don’t Panic.
San Antonio’s Development Services Strike Team isn’t just checking paperwork – they’re out shutting down job sites, freezing deals, and forcing un-permitted work to be torn out.
If you’ve received a Strike Team letter, or flagged for un-permitted work, or can’t pass final inspection, you need a team that knows the system — not just someone who can “do the work.”
We Fix Permit Problems
At First Call Construction, we specialize in cleaning up job sites left in limbo. Whether it’s un-permitted plumbing, framing without an engineer’s letter, or a prior contractor who vanished before final inspection, we can bring your project into compliance and get you back on track.
We’re experienced at handling:
- Strike Team violations
- Stop work orders
- Failed resale inspections
- Red-tagged flips
- Un-permitted additions
- Expired permits
- Missing engineer letters
- Illegal conversions (garage → living space, etc.)
What to Do Right Now
- Don’t ignore the letter. Every day you wait increases the chance of fines, liens, or demo orders.
- Gather your documents. Original scope, photos, city letter, inspection reports — anything you have helps.
- Call us. We’ll review your situation at no charge and tell you what it’ll take to fix it.
Client Testimonials
Real Words. Real Results. From Investors and Homeowners Alike.
First Call was great to work with. First Call found several issues that we didn’t plan on with our initial statement of work during the rehab. Your average contractor would have just did their work and move on, but not First Call. They went above and beyond to explain problems, they guided my through repair options, and found affordable solutions.
I highly recommend First Call Construction and will definitely work with them again.
Josh Graves
Real Estate Investor
First Call Construction has been great! I’ve had them work on multiple projects for me and I’m sure I will keep using them in the future. They communicate well, give transparent and honest pricing, and will be clear if they are too busy to take on a new job.
I highly recommend using them and will continue to do so for future projects.
Jeff Laflamme
Real Estate Investor
I wish I had found First Call Construction years ago! Everyone who worked in our home was sensitive to our needs, respectful of our personal property, and their craftsmanship was top notch. To add the cherry on top, at the end of each workday they cleaned up any dirt, debris, etc., before packing up. Very few contractors in this area give that kind of caring touch to a project.
We asked First Call Construction to try and remedy some very poor remodeling work done by another contractor here in San Antonio. First Call Construction did not disappoint. They did their very best to match paint colors, setting our expectations, perfectly blending texture on walls and ceilings, and correcting another contractor’s very shoddy previous electrical work.
I am extremely satisfied with their work and would recommend them to friends and family.
Dee Zimmerman
Homeowner
First Call Construction is the one and only construction company I trust to give me an honest quote for my investment projects. In addition, I can trust them to take good care and diligence on my properties once hired. Lastly, they do not take shortcuts or try to get over on the city when it comes to code compliance and I can count on the work to have the necessary permits and city inspections.
First Call Construction educates and gets the job done right the first time. They are thorough with their expectations and will spend the time to assess and resolve unexpected problems or delays that may arise. Where most general contractors are in a hurry to do the work and move on to their next project; First Call Construction is your trusted partner for any rehab or flip from the beginning to the end.
Make First Call Construction your Only Call!
Sol Mustafa
Real Estate Investor / Broker / Property Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
No runaround. Just real answers from people who’ve done this before.
Do you pull permits?
Yes. Every time.
If the work requires a permit, we pull it. We’re fully licensed with the city and experienced in both new permits and correcting past violations (including Strike Team cases).
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. First Call Construction is fully licensed, bonded, and insured to operate in San Antonio and surrounding municipalities. We also carry general liability coverage and work only with credentialed trades.
Do you work with real estate investors?
That’s our specialty. We built this company around the investor experience — fast-moving deals, lender deadlines, code compliance, and ROI-focused scopes. We understand hard money, appraisals, and what it takes to get to the closing table.
Do you offer free quotes?
Yes. We’ll walk the property, build a detailed scope, and send a written quote — no pressure, no games. If plans, engineering, or permit research is needed, we’ll let you know up front.
What kinds of projects do you take on?
- Full-gut rehabs
- Kitchens & bathrooms
- Foundation leveling
- Roofing & siding
- Final clean & finish-out
- Strike Team & permit compliance
How do you handle payment terms?
We break projects into draw-based payment milestones — typically deposit, mid-point, and final draw. If you’re working with a hard money lender, we can structure draws around your inspection requirements.
Can you help with a property that was red-tagged or failed inspection?
Absolutely yes! We handle Strike Team cases, failed inspections, missing permits, and unfinished jobs left by other contractors. We’ll evaluate the situation, tell you what needs to be done, and get it back on track legally and efficiently.
Do you handle everything, or do I need to hire other trades separately?
We manage the entire renovation. That includes demo, framing, MEPs, finishes, and inspections. We work with licensed trades for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and handle all subcontractor coordination so you don’t have to.
Do you work with out-of-town investors?
Yes! Many of our clients live in other cities or states. We handle everything locally, provide regular photo/video updates, and document all phases of the project.
What makes you different from other contractors?
We’re not handymen. We’re not part-timers. We’re not going to “figure it out” as we go.
We’re licensed general contractors and full-time investors — which means we understand timelines, budgets, code, resale value, and how to run a project like a business. If something isn’t right, we fix it. If something doesn’t need to be done, we won’t sell you on it.
How do you handle payment terms?
We break every project down into a detailed scope of work with line-item pricing. This makes it easy to understand what you’re paying for, when it’s due, and how the project will progress — no lump-sum confusion, no vague invoices, no surprise charges.
Contact Us
Call or Text
(210) 372-3375
We respond fast during business hours (M–F). If we miss you, we’ll return your message within 1 business day.