Local craftsmen · Since 1984

Three generations of sawdust in our boots.

Homes carry a family’s stories. Building them is part of ours.

Portrait of Robert Brace wearing his Bard Construction cap and burgundy work shirt

Robert Brace · Bard Construction

Close to the work.
Close to the people.

Bard brings a family tradition of craft to renovations, additions, and new homes. The aim is simple: make something beautiful and useful, and care about how the people living there experience the work.

That means listening before building, talking through the choices, and respecting the home that is still yours while it changes.

Our roots · In our own words

Building found me.

Before it was a business, it was time spent at his dad’s elbow. Watching. Helping. Learning how to make something well.

In this short film, Robert and his father share how those early days became a love for the craft and a life of working together. It’s a glimpse of the family, care, and everyday decisions behind a Bard home.

3:01A family story, told by the people who live it.
Building Found Me3:01 · Sound on

A letter from Robert

From our family to yours.

A few words about where we come from, who we build with, and what brings us to work.

Bard Construction

Austin, Texas
Building together since 1984

My name is Robert Brace.
I design and build custom homes and renovations with my dad and brothers.

We’ve been building in the Austin area since 1984, when Daddy got out of the Air Force. His dad was a carpenter, and his dad’s dad before him.
I guess building good things is in the blood.

Two sons, five sons-in-laws, six grandsons and several adopted brothers now, and we’re still building. We love what we do, and who we get to do it with.

Maybe sometime we’ll get to build something beautiful with you. If you have a home, we can help spruce it up.
If you have a dream, we can spring it to life.

We’ll be here, when you’re ready.

-Robert, Joshua, Wesley, Ransom, Emilio, Nam, etc…

The people of Bard

Good homes begin with good people.

Custom details, technical problem-solving, permits, planning, and the numbers behind the work: meet the people who bring those pieces together at Bard.

Portrait of Wesley Brace, Bard’s Master Craftsman Builder

Wesley Brace

Master Craftsman Builder

Wesley is Bard’s go-to craftsman for the toughest finishing challenges. He handcrafts custom solutions and has a knack for finding or making the right tools and jigs. A retired Austin firefighter, he still drives a firetruck to work: a retired fire unit filled with toolboxes. He’s also Robert’s dad and longtime teacher.

Off the clock, you’ll often find him riding dirt trails on his enduro motorcycle.

Portrait of Andrew McIlwain, Bard’s Office Manager

Andrew McIlwain

Office Manager

Andrew navigates and helps expedite city permitting, while keeping Bard’s spreadsheets, documents, and reports organized and polished. He brings care to the office details that support the work in the field.

On weekends, you’ll often find him fishing with his two young sons.

Portrait of Brighton Beauchamp, Bard’s Journeyman Builder

Brighton Beauchamp

Journeyman Builder

Brighton brings a quick mind to technical challenges and is one of Bard’s fastest learners. His experience includes working as a cowboy on a Texas cattle ranch and outfitting police vehicles with lights, sirens, and equipment.

On weekends, he’s often helping a friend with a project or writing a poem to his wife.

Portrait of Joshua James, Bard’s Construction Manager and Senior Builder

Joshua James

Construction Manager / Senior Builder

Joshua is Bard’s all-around problem-solver, bringing building know-how, clear communication, and coordination to the planning, logistics, and day-to-day work of construction. A retired Air Force loadmaster, he leads with humility and self-discipline.

On weekends, he’s often off on an adventure with his wife and two children.

Joshua’s favorite quote
“Discipline equals freedom.”

Jocko Willink

Portrait of Robert Brace, Bard’s Business Manager and Senior Builder

Robert Brace

Business Manager / Senior Builder

Robert grew up with a fireman-mechanic-carpenter father, a mother who loved welcoming people, and a grandfather who was a real-estate CPA. He brings that mix to Bard: a love of building, hospitality throughout the process, and close attention to the numbers.

He and his wife, Lia, are building a stone house with their four children. They hope it will stand for a thousand years. Weekends usually find him working on it.

And alongside them.

  • Emilio Cruces

  • Ransom Brace

  • Brent Beidler

  • Cary Creamer

Beautiful & durable

A home should tell you about the people inside.

It may be a kitchen that welcomes friends, a room for someone coming home, or a bathroom that makes the everyday a little better. Your life gives the work its purpose.

Bard’s work in progress at a framing site

Your next chapter

Tell us what
you have in mind.

You don’t need a finished plan. Just a little about your home and what you’d like it to become.

Prefer email? Write to Robert.

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