Today we’d like to introduce you to Rogelio.
Hi Rogelio, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Rogelio Maldonado, and I am the owner of R.L. Concrete, a family-owned concrete company serving San Antonio and the surrounding South Texas communities.
My story in construction really begins with my father. He immigrated legally to the United States from Mexico in search of greater opportunities and eventually began working as a subcontractor. By the time I was in middle school, I was already being exposed to construction—helping on jobs, learning equipment, and seeing firsthand the amount of work and sacrifice it takes to build something of your own.
Those early experiences shaped my work ethic, but my career eventually took me well beyond the small projects I grew up around. After the construction industry was hit hard by the 2008 recession, I eventually left San Antonio and pursued opportunities in industrial construction. It was a difficult decision, but it became one of the most important periods of my career.
I worked long days and gained experience with engineered plans, concrete and reinforcing steel, grading, heavy equipment, field supervision, project coordination, and managing crews. I had the opportunity to work around larger and more complex construction projects, and those years taught me not only how to build, but how to lead people, solve problems, manage responsibility, and keep a project moving when conditions are less than perfect.
Eventually, I wanted to come home. After years of working away and gaining experience, I returned to the San Antonio area with the goal of continuing what my father had started and building something that could support my own family while serving the community where I grew up.
Growing R.L. Concrete was not an overnight success. In the beginning, I wore just about every hat possible—estimator, salesperson, project manager, equipment operator, laborer, scheduler, and customer service representative. Every completed project helped us build our reputation one customer at a time.
Today, R.L. Concrete serves homeowners, businesses, general contractors, and commercial clients throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities. Our work includes concrete driveway installation and replacement, patios, sidewalks, foundations and slabs, ADA concrete work, commercial concrete, parking lots, and other custom concrete construction.
As proud as I am of how the company has grown, I am even more proud that we have remained a local, family-owned business. We believe in treating people fairly, communicating honestly, showing up when we say we will, and standing behind our workmanship. A large portion of our business has been built through referrals and repeat customers, and I don’t think there is a better compliment for a contractor than having someone trust you enough to call you again or recommend you to their family and friends.
For me, R.L. Concrete represents much more than concrete. It represents my father’s sacrifices, the opportunities this country provided our family, the experience I gained throughout my career, and the opportunity I now have to provide for my own family while creating jobs and serving San Antonio.
I still consider R.L. Concrete a small family business at heart. We simply want to continue growing the right way—one project, one customer, and one relationship at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a business has definitely not been a completely smooth road, but many of the challenges I’ve faced have also become some of my greatest learning experiences.
One of the earliest turning points in my career came during the 2008 recession. Construction slowed dramatically, projects disappeared, and opportunities became much harder to find. Like many people in the industry, I had to make difficult decisions about what came next. Eventually, that period led me to leave San Antonio for opportunities in industrial construction.
Leaving home wasn’t easy, but it pushed me into a completely different level of construction. I worked long hours, took on greater responsibilities, learned to work from engineered plans, operated equipment, supervised work in the field, and eventually gained experience managing crews and larger projects. What initially felt like a setback became an important part of preparing me for what I would eventually build back home.
Another major challenge came when I transitioned from being experienced in construction to actually running a construction company. Knowing how to build a concrete project is one thing; knowing how to operate a business is something entirely different. Suddenly, I was responsible for estimating, scheduling, payroll, insurance, equipment, marketing, customer service, employees, and making sure there was enough work coming in to keep everything moving.
Building R.L. Concrete’s reputation from the ground up took time as well. In construction, trust has to be earned. Every driveway, patio, sidewalk, foundation, and commercial concrete project became an opportunity to prove ourselves. We focused on quality workmanship, treating customers fairly, communicating honestly, and standing behind our word. Over time, referrals and repeat customers became an important part of our growth.
Growth itself creates new challenges. Larger projects, more customers, employees, equipment, scheduling, rising material costs, and maintaining quality all require constant attention. I’ve learned that being a business owner means you never really stop learning.
Probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success rarely happens in a straight line. Some of the experiences that seemed like setbacks at the time ultimately opened doors I couldn’t see yet. The recession pushed me toward industrial construction. Industrial construction gave me experience and leadership skills. And those experiences eventually helped me return home better prepared to continue what my father had started.
Every obstacle has strengthened my work ethic and reinforced the values that continue to guide R.L. Concrete today: work hard, treat people right, keep your word, learn from your mistakes, and never become too comfortable to keep improving.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about R. L. San Antonio Concrete LLC?
R.L. Concrete is a family-owned concrete company serving San Antonio and surrounding South Texas communities, specializing in both residential and commercial concrete construction.
Our work includes concrete driveways and driveway replacements, patios, sidewalks, foundations and slabs, ADA-compliant concrete work, parking lots, curbing, flatwork, and other custom concrete projects. We work with homeowners, businesses, general contractors, and organizations on projects of different sizes, but our approach remains the same: provide quality workmanship, communicate clearly, and stand behind the work we perform.
One thing that sets R.L. Concrete apart is the amount of hands-on construction experience behind the company. Before focusing on growing the business, I spent years working directly in construction, gaining experience with concrete placement, reinforcing steel, grading, equipment operation, engineered plans, project coordination, field supervision, and crew management. That background gives us a practical understanding of what it takes to complete a project correctly from preparation through the finished product.
As a family-owned company, relationships are extremely important to us. Many of our customers come through referrals, and we are fortunate to work with a number of repeat customers who have trusted us with multiple projects over the years. To me, that says more about a contractor than almost anything else. When someone is willing to hire you again or recommend you to their family, friends, or business associates, you know you have earned their trust.
I am especially proud of the reputation we have built throughout the San Antonio area. Construction is an industry where your work and your word follow you, so we try to treat every project as an opportunity to strengthen that reputation.
Whether we are replacing a residential driveway, building a patio for a family, pouring a foundation, or completing a larger commercial concrete project, we understand that our customers are making a significant investment in their property. Our goal is to give them something functional, durable, and built to last.
We are still a small family business at heart, and we are grateful for the customers and community that have allowed us to continue growing. We look forward to serving San Antonio and South Texas for many years to come.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is simply growing up outdoors around Sandy Oaks and the Calaveras Lake area. Life felt a lot simpler back then. We spent our time riding bikes, exploring, fishing, being outside with friends, and spending weekends with family.
Some of my best memories are around Calaveras Lake. Whether we were fishing, having a family gathering, or just enjoying the South Texas countryside, those were the kinds of days you don’t appreciate quite as much until you’re older.
I also have strong memories of watching my parents work extremely hard to create opportunities for our family. As a kid, you don’t always understand the sacrifices your parents are making, but as I got older—and especially once I had a family of my own—I began to understand it much more.
Growing up in Sandy Oaks gave me an appreciation for family, hard work, independence, and community. A lot has changed around San Antonio since then, but I still feel connected to where I grew up and to the people and experiences that helped shape me.
Those simple memories—family, the lake, being outdoors, and watching my parents work—are still some of the ones I value most today.
Pricing:
- Free estimates and site assessments available throughout the San Antonio area.
- Residential and commercial concrete projects are priced individually based on project size, site conditions, access, reinforcement, demolition, and scope of work.
- We provide detailed written proposals so customers understand the scope of their concrete project before work begins.
- For many driveway, patio, sidewalk, foundation, and other concrete projects, we can provide an initial ballpark estimate before scheduling a site assessment.
- Contact R.L. Concrete directly for a customized quote for your residential or commercial concrete project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rlconcretesa.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G99gnNxTf/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@concretecontractorssananto7004
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/K6n7LKtRaHwJS6fPA
