General Contractor for High End Residential Projects in South Texas

At first, I believed I could handle much of the work myself. However, after discovering extensive Formosan termite infestation and seeing the level of structural damage caused by years of neglect from the previous owner, I quickly realized the project was far more complex than I could manage alone.

Mark and his crew came out to assess the situation and immediately got to work repairing the damage. I combined his crew with mine, and Mark took charge — coordinating the work, directing the project, and keeping everyone productive. What we uncovered was beyond anything we expected. This home had one of the worst infestations Liberty Pest Control had ever seen.

After I shared our original vision for the project, I relied heavily on Mark’s knowledge and experience to guide the best path forward.

The home originally featured a large side porte-cochère that could have been used for parking, but due to my business needs, I wanted the area reduced. Mark and his crew restructured the space by installing a beam and wall system, then completely reworking the hip roof to tie back seamlessly into the existing structure. They added new overhangs and ultimately re-roofed the entire home to ensure everything matched properly.

During the process, we also discovered hidden damage within the front porte-cochère. Two of the three beams had been severely compromised by termites. Mark used large 10×10 support posts and hydraulic jacks to lift the roof structure in two separate locations, allowing the damaged framing to be removed and replaced using Anthony Power Beams. He then secured the rafters and rebuilt the underside framing correctly.

As work progressed, it became clear that the entire home was infested. Mark and his crew replaced structural framing around the full perimeter of the house, including reframing every door and window opening. Once the brick façade was removed, we uncovered what could only be described as a “super highway” of termite activity that allowed the termites to travel entirely around the structure undetected, originating from the back corner of the living room.

The entire house required new sheathing. Mark’s crew also installed a rubber membrane at the brick ledge level and sealed it to the slab in an effort to help prevent future termite intrusion. He then had his mason install natural stone around the entire perimeter of the home.

Mark also assisted me with installing a trench for a new septic line, ensuring it maintained the proper slope throughout the entire run. His attention to detail carried through every aspect of the project.

Additional work included removing an atrium at the rear of the house, reinforcing the existing rafters, and framing a new gable to fully enclose the back elevation of the home in stone. Mark and his crew also framed an outdoor kitchen wall with utilities on one side while waterproofing the opposite side to create an outdoor shower for the pool area.

Mark supplied and installed new Pella windows throughout the entire home. We also used his suppliers to furnish all the doors for the project. During COVID, structural beams were difficult to obtain. We needed a new beam capable of supporting the weight of a 10-foot-wide Pella window. Instead of delaying the project while waiting on backordered materials, Mark and his crew fabricated a custom beam onsite.

Traditionally, job-built beams are constructed using dimensional lumber and plywood. However, the beam Mark constructed incorporated 14-gauge steel plates on both sides of the center section with plywood laminated between them. I was genuinely impressed by the level of quality, engineering-minded thinking, and craftsmanship that went into constructing that beam.

On the interior, with the help of Mark and his crew, we created four master suites. Mark’s knowledge and ability to help transform the interior structure exceeded my expectations. Numerous walls were relocated, and we relied on his lifting equipment in nearly every room.

One moment that particularly stood out to me was when we removed part of the front porch. Mark personally climbed through a very small opening into a crawl space and physically supported the roof structure while his crew cut and passed lumber to him — all in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. That level of hands-on commitment is something you rarely see anymore.

We also asked Mark and his crew to remove a fireplace that consumed a considerable amount of space within the living room. Mark framed and constructed a new fireplace better suited to the room and more consistent with the modern appearance we wanted. The new fireplace required revised venting and flashing above the roof line, and Mark properly framed the opening, installed the necessary flashing, and waterproofed the surrounding area.

Mark and his crew initially took on this project to help replace structural lumber, but I ultimately asked him to remain involved through the dry-in stage because of the confidence I developed in his leadership, knowledge, and expertise.

I cannot say enough about the help and guidance Mark provided on a project that many contractors would have walked away from. In my opinion, his attention to detail on being a perfectionist. I remember him telling me once, “If I wouldn’t put it in my own home, I wouldn’t put it in yours.”

If you are looking for someone who truly understands structural framing, problem-solving, and the proper methods required to repair and rebuild a structure correctly, Mark Denker is the person to call.

I would not hesitate to recommend Denker & Denker for any construction, structural repair, remodeling, or restoration project.