Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanner Belton.
Hi Tanner, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in residential construction is a story of grit, integrity, and an unrelenting pursuit of doing things the right way. After 15 years in the industry here in Fort Worth, Texas, I’ve gone from working under shady contractors who prioritized quick profits over quality to becoming a builder who obsesses over building science, uses top-notch materials, and delivers homes built to last.
Fifteen years ago, I started out eager and ready to work hard, taking whatever jobs came my way. I ended up with contractors who embodied the “good enough” mentality—corners cut on insulation, flashing details skipped, ventilation barely considered. Homes went up fast, but the problems piled up just as quickly: moisture damage, skyrocketing utility bills, mold risks, and constant callbacks that destroyed trust. Those early years were frustrating and eye-opening. I saw how shortcuts hurt real families, and I couldn’t accept it as “just how things are done.”
Instead of staying silent, I started pushing back. I questioned bad practices, researched better methods, and made a personal rule: make the right decision every single time, no exceptions. That commitment cost me some jobs and leaner months at first, but it built the foundation for everything that followed.
What really changed everything was diving headfirst into education. I’m a total building science nerd—I pursue certifications like Building Science Principles, devour resources from Building America and the DOE, attend workshops, and stay current with the latest codes, research, and trends. I treat the house as a complete system: air sealing, thermal bridging, moisture management, indoor air quality, continuous insulation, proper drainage planes—these aren’t buzzwords to me; they’re non-negotiable for performance and durability.
Right now, I’m actively working toward my PHIUS certification as a builder (Passive House Institute US), which would make me one of only a handful of certified builders in the entire DFW area. Achieving this rigorous standard is the next big step in my commitment to delivering truly high-performance homes that meet the strictest energy-efficiency and comfort benchmarks.
One of my favorite architects, Steve Baczek, sums it up perfectly:
“It’s not that High Performance Houses cost too much; it’s that our idea of a fairly priced new home is based on a history of building houses to meet embarrassingly low performance benchmarks.”
That quote hits home every time I read it. It reminds me why I walked away from “standard” builds—because we’ve normalized mediocrity for too long. High-performance isn’t a luxury; it’s what homes should have been all along.
As I rose in the industry, I started refusing projects that didn’t meet my standards. I said no to shady bids, even when money was tight. Clients began noticing the difference: I explain every decision with data and transparency, back choices with real science, and deliver homes that actually perform—lower energy use, better comfort, resilience against Texas weather extremes.
Today, I focus on cutting-edge methods: advanced framing to minimize thermal bridging, high-performance windows and envelopes, heat-recovery ventilation, resilient low-carbon materials, and systems that integrate smart tech for superior indoor air quality. With codes getting stricter and homeowners demanding more efficiency and durability, my approach isn’t just compliant—it’s ahead of the curve.
At the core, my success comes down to one unbreakable principle: honesty and integrity win every time. I’ve turned down lucrative work because it didn’t align with best practices, but those choices built real trust. Clients return, refer friends, and rest easy knowing their home is engineered for the long haul.
In an industry full of quick flips and cookie-cutter construction, I represent a quieter shift—one driven by science, ethics, and genuine care for the people who will live in these homes. Building isn’t about today; it’s about tomorrow. And tomorrow deserves the best we can give.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all—far from it. Early on, I lost jobs and had lean months because I refused to cut corners or work with contractors whose practices I knew were substandard, even when turning down work meant money was tight. Pushing for better methods and higher standards often put me at odds with clients or subs who were used to the “good enough” way of doing things, and educating people about why high-performance details matter took time and patience. The biggest ongoing challenge is staying disciplined enough to say no to lucrative projects that don’t align with my principles, but every time I’ve stuck to integrity, it’s paid off in trust, repeat business, and a reputation I’m proud of.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Trinity Builders DFW LLC?
My business is dedicated to high-performance residential construction right here in Fort Worth, Texas. I specialize in custom homes, thoughtful remodels, additions, and whole-home upgrades where building science drives every decision—from the foundation up—to create homes that are energy-efficient, durable, comfortable, and resilient to our challenging North Texas climate.
What I’m known for is delivering homes that truly perform: dramatically lower energy bills, superior indoor air quality, consistent comfort year-round (no hot or cold spots), better moisture control to prevent mold and rot, and long-term structural integrity that stands up to heat, humidity, storms, and time. I focus on proven, cutting-edge methods like advanced framing, continuous insulation, high-performance envelopes, proper drainage planes, air sealing, heat-recovery ventilation, and resilient, low-carbon materials—always backed by data and real-world testing rather than “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
What sets me apart from other builders is my absolute commitment to integrity and excellence. I won’t take on a project if it means compromising on best practices, even if it’s profitable in the short term. I explain every choice transparently to clients, educate them on why certain details matter, and treat their home like it’s my own family’s. Right now, I’m actively working toward my PHIUS certification as a builder (Passive House Institute US), which would make me one of only a handful of certified builders in the entire DFW area—putting me at the forefront of ultra-low-energy, passive building standards that prioritize extreme efficiency and occupant health without sacrificing design or livability.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of building a reputation based on trust and results. Homeowners who work with me often come back for future projects, refer friends and family without hesitation, and share stories about finally having a home that “just works”—quiet, efficient, healthy, and worry-free. In an industry where shortcuts are common, my brand stands for doing it right the first time, every time.
What I want readers to know is this: If you’re tired of mediocre builds that underperform, rack up utility costs, or require constant fixes, my services offer something different. I build homes engineered for tomorrow—homes that save money, enhance health and comfort, and provide genuine peace of mind for generations. High-performance isn’t an expensive add-on; as my favorite architect Steve Baczek says, it’s what fairly priced new homes should have been all along. If you’re ready for a builder who obsesses over the details so you don’t have to, let’s talk—I’m here to create something exceptional that lasts
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes, absolutely—there are several resources that keep me grounded, inspired, and sharp both in my work and in life.
The one I listen to most consistently is The Build Show Podcast with Matt Risinger and his whole team. I’ve been a fan for years. Matt brings on top builders, architects, building scientists, and product experts who dive deep into real-world high-performance construction details—air sealing tricks, advanced framing, ventilation strategies, window performance, you name it. It’s practical, no-nonsense, and keeps me up to date on the latest methods and materials. I often catch myself taking notes while I’m driving between job sites.
Another huge influence is the Bible. I read it regularly, and it shapes how I approach both my business and my personal life. One passage I come back to often is Luke 6:48-49 (I think of it as Luke 48-49):
“He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. As soon as the torrent hit that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
That parable hits me hard every time. In construction, we literally build on foundations, and I see a direct parallel in life and business: if you cut corners or build on shaky principles, it eventually falls apart. But when you dig deep, do the hard work, and build on truth and integrity, what you create can withstand any storm. It’s a daily reminder to me to always choose the right way, even when it’s harder or more expensive in the short term.
Besides those two, I also regularly read articles and technical papers from Building Science Corporation (buildingscience.com) and the Building America Solution Center (basc.pnnl.gov). They’re goldmines for evidence-based information on how houses really work as systems. I especially enjoy articles written by leading experts in the building science world like Joseph Lstiburek (founder of Building Science Corporation), David Nicastro (a building envelope specialist), Steve Baczek (the architect I quoted earlier), and Allison Bailes (from Energy Vanguard). Their insights on everything from moisture control to energy efficiency are game-changers and keep me pushing for better practices. I’ll occasionally dip into books like Builder’s Guide to Cold Climates by Joseph Lstiburek (even though we’re in Texas, the principles are universal), but honestly, the combination of The Build Show and Scripture keeps me most centered and motivated day to day
Pricing:
- $500 per sq ft and up
- Cost Plus Billing
- 100% Transparent
- Fair
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.tbdfw.com
- Instagram: @Trinity_Builders_DFW_
- Twitter: @TrinityBuildDFW
- Other: Info@tbdfw.com
