A Family Affair

The subcontractor would eventually morph into the company that has overcome every obstacle in the way of success for the past 44 years. Fairbank’s duties became declaration of all contracts, overseeing financial status of the corporation, job tracking and chief estimator. Dupree would continue in the field overseeing project construction, material purchases, manpower, budget concerns and profit margins from start to finish. His brother Phillip Dupree was hired to bring the art of plastering from a plasterer’s view to the business, as Joe and Dale were lathers. Hiring Phillip Dupree gave Diversified the ability to take on larger and more high-profile projects.

The partners brought their sons up in the industry as lathers learning the trade. Chad Dupree joined the Diversified team after graduating from Sam Houston State College in 1997 and worked side by side for the next 12 years with Joe. Chad also obtained the honor of President for the Texas Lath and Plaster Contractors Association from 2017-2018 and was honored to give Joe the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 65th TLPCA Convention and Trade Show in 2017. Marshall Fairbanks (Dale’s son) became an apprentice lather moving up the ranks from apprentice to journeyman and on to foreman. After 17 years in the field, Marshall took on the role of estimator, which he still holds today.

Diversified Senior Estimator James Orlando was also in the Lathers Local 224 and worked as an apprentice under Joe and Dale. He worked in the field for Diversified for more than 25 years and was well respected as a seasoned craftsman. Realizing James’ knowledge in the industry, he was then groomed to be a perfect addition as estimator.

The Orlando family name became an asset to Diversified Plastering employing multiple brothers, cousins, and sons. Most recently, Chad’s brother Clayton has joined the company. 

As a truly family-run company, Diversified Plastering now specializes in framing, lath and plaster, EIFS, stone, thin brick, interior finishes, sound absorbing systems and more. In addition, its niche services include:

• One of the few that can “slack lime” with gauging and molding for white coat finishes; 
• A strong advocate for suspended ceiling plaster soffits using the tried-and-true channel iron framing (formerly known as black iron);
• Specialty interior finishes;
• Pyrok products

The company employs between 50 to 100 workers, though according to CEO/Project Manager Chad Dupree, anything over the one hundred mark becomes difficult to find the experienced plasterers and lathers Diversified requires in the market to thrive.

According to Chad, business remains very strong.

“It’s crazy how through COVID-19 the number of schools, government and state work has increased. Diversified has been lucky to not have been affected by a stay-at-home mandate. I guess we are essential,” he says. “The increasing material cost are causing a huge strain on work coming up with numbers used from the past year. The availability of materials along with experienced labor makes scheduling a difficult task. We have also notice that the owners and GCs are holding on to the money longer than in the past. Texas is one of the worst lien law restriction states in America; more time is being used to trap the funds.”

Elmer & Dorothy Beckendorf Educational Complex featuring Grand Oaks Elementary School

• Architect: PBK Architects
• Owner: Tomball Independent School District
• General Contractor: Gilbane Building Co.
• Builder: Diversified Plastering Inc.

The Elmer & Dorothy Beckendorf Educational Complex featuring Grand Oaks Elementary School is a new junior high school and state-of-the-art stadium/community center. The project consisted of approximately 62,000 square feet of plaster work.

The scope of the project consisted of lath and plaster with suspended channel iron ceilings, walls and interior plaster ceilings with acrylic finish, as well as an EIF system.

The company used ClarkDietrich, QUIKRETE, PAREX USA (TEIFS) and Fry Reglet products for this project.

For Dupree, the most interesting aspect of the gig has been growing up in a plastering family and learning the old way of plastering and applying the new technology. He says, “New materials make learning and figuring out new applications enjoyable. Trying to figure a new way to create a finished product in a very competitive environment challenges you.” 

On the flip side, keeping up with the ever-changing codes and laws is the hardest aspect of the job. Maintaining compliance with all new laws to provide a safe working environment remains, and will continue to be, the hardest part of work, Chad says.

“Estimating and construction has not slowed down,” says Chad. “Our ability to install this type of work seems to keep us busy in the educational, governmental, and state markets. As more millennials join the workplace and the desire for city living, the need for multistory high rise and multifamily condos can only increase.”

In closing, Chad says, “If history has taught us anything, change is the only thing constant. The foundation and work ethic has allowed us the knowledge and education to change, creating the longevity that remains today.”