How Oakman Building Company brings civil construction discipline to Austin’s custom homebuilding landscape
At Oakman Building Company (Oakman), every project begins with the understanding that a custom home is more than a construction project – it is a long-term investment in craftsmanship, design, and quality. Founded by Ryan Hay in 2014 in Austin, Texas, the business is well-recognized for delivering custom homes, historic and specialty builds, whole-home remodels, and thoughtful additions. Combining meticulous attention to detail with transparent project management, Oakman’s portfolio shines with spaces built not simply to impress today, but to stand the test of time. Now, Ryan joins Modern Home Builders to tell the story.
“I started my career in homebuilding right out of college. I worked for a production homebuilder in Houston for four years; from there, I built a 32-story high-rise in downtown Houston. I then did a little commercial construction for a few years. I joined a heavy highway contractor, where I worked on roads, bridges, utilities, and similar projects,” he recounts. “Eventually, though, the company I was working for moved me to Austin and then wanted me to move back to Houston; by that point, I had gotten married and my wife didn’t want to move.
Championing collaboration
“Around that time, a friend of mine and I were watching a football game, and he mentioned that he was going to build a custom home. I told him, ‘Hey, I used to build houses. Let me build it for you’. From there, one thing led to another. He bought a lot, we hired an architect, and I started the company. I bought insurance and got everything set up. That architect also had two remodeling projects that didn’t have a builder, so I interviewed for those projects, submitted bids, and ended up getting both under contract. Suddenly, I had three projects going, so I left the heavy highway company and set off on my own custom homebuilding journey. We’ve continued to grow steadily ever since. Today, there are five of us in total, and we continue to take on bigger and more complicated projects here in Austin.”
Ryan’s diverse background has ultimately shaped the way that he approaches custom homebuilding today. The technical discipline and attention to process he developed in heavy civil construction became a natural foundation for Oakman, particularly in how it collaborates with architects and clients to balance design, cost, and execution.
“We’re a cost-plus builder, so we operate on a very open-book basis. One thing that sets us apart is that both my operations manager and I came from heavy civil construction. That industry is extremely technical, with very specific specifications and processes. What we’ve done is bring some of that technical discipline into homebuilding. We’re very collaborative with our architects and clients, particularly when it comes to value engineering. We take a lot of pride in communication throughout the construction process. We’re diligent about RFIs, submittals, asking questions, and making sure we’re following the plans and specifications. We’re very collaborative and communicative, and that’s something we take a lot of pride in,” Ryan elaborates.
“Also, I think our job as a builder is to protect the architect’s design throughout the construction process,” he says. “Sometimes, for example, an architect may specify a particular window, but the client might want to choose a less expensive or lower-quality option. In those situations, I think it’s important for us to involve the architect in that conversation rather than simply doing whatever the client asks. Our role is really to help lead the project and steer it in the right direction while keeping the client and architect aligned. When we need to make a change or value-engineer something, we bring ideas to the table, but we also make sure the architect is comfortable with those changes and that the client is on board as well.”
Distinctive design
Oakman’s collaborative, detail-oriented approach is one of its key differentiators in the competitive Texan homebuilding market and proves particularly valuable in projects where the design is highly distinctive and the owner is deeply involved in the creative process. One recent Northwest Hills project, completed in collaboration with Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects, is a great example of how that partnership can translate into a finished home that balances the architect’s vision with thoughtful input and problem-solving throughout construction.
“This is one of the featured page projects on our website. It was a fantastic project with a great owner and architect. It was a modern house with lots of glass and a Brooklyn-loft-inspired aesthetic,” Ryan highlights. “There were also a lot of special details and moments that were developed throughout the construction process. The client had some background in interior design and really enjoyed being involved in the design process. He loved it when we brought him ideas for ways to improve a space, incorporate a non-traditional detail, or approach something in a unique way. It’s an amazing project and one that we’re particularly proud of.”
With a foundation built on technical expertise, collaboration, and meticulous attention to detail, Oakman continues to bring a disciplined yet personal approach to custom homebuilding in Austin. As the company takes on increasingly complex projects, Ryan and his team remain focused on one guiding principle: creating thoughtfully built homes where architectural vision, craftsmanship, and lasting quality come together.
“Looking ahead, we want to continue searching for new and interesting projects. We’re at a point where we can be selective – choosing the architects we work with, the projects we take on, and making sure there’s a good fit with the client,” Ryan affirms, concluding the conversation.
“We’re not the cheapest builder in town, but I think there’s real value in working with us. You’re getting an experienced builder who communicates, collaborates, and thoroughly reviews the plans to identify potential issues before we get into the field. We believe that level of involvement and experience adds significant value to a project. Right now, we’re bidding on a lot of work, which is great, and our goal is to continue growing steadily over the next couple of years.”
All photography © Rob Gomez
