Before We Built a Company, We Inherited a Craft.
A Family Legacy. A Lifetime of Service. A Commitment to Craftsmanship.
At Citadel Framing Contractors, our foundation was laid long before the company had a name.
Built on generations of hard work, a commitment to serving others, and a deep respect for skilled trades, Citadel represents more than a construction business. It represents a family legacy carried forward through craftsmanship, discipline, and accountability.
The Carpenter’s Son
Founder Carlos Fuentes grew up watching his father earn an honest living through hard work and skilled trades.
A man of many talents, his father understood the value of working with his hands. Of all the trades he practiced, carpentry left the greatest impression on his son.
As a teenager, Carlos began working alongside his father, learning the fundamentals of framing, the importance of understanding materials, and the satisfaction of building something from the ground up.
But the lessons extended far beyond construction.
His father taught him that craftsmanship is a reflection of character. That taking pride in your work matters. And that doing something right, even when no one is watching, is what separates a tradesman from someone simply doing a job.
Those lessons became the foundation of everything that followed.
Forged Through Service
At 17 years old, Carlos enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as an infantryman.
His military service included two deployments to Afghanistan, along with service in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. During Operation Enduring Freedom, he earned the Combat Action Ribbon.
Following his military service, Carlos continued his commitment to public service, becoming a sworn officer with the San Antonio Police Department in 2018.
Throughout his law-enforcement career, he earned multiple Merit, Lifesaving, and Commendation awards.
The discipline, leadership, and accountability developed through military and law-enforcement service would become defining principles of his approach to business.
Yet construction remained a constant part of his life.
While serving his community, Carlos continued taking on residential renovations, developing his carpentry skills, and eventually establishing his own remodeling company.
In 2023, he departed SAPD to devote greater attention to contracting while continuing his law-enforcement career in Bexar County.
Over time, his business evolved toward the trade that started it all: residential and commercial framing.
The Citadel Standard
Citadel Framing Contractors was established on a straightforward belief:
Quality craftsmanship is not simply about getting the job done. It’s about understanding the work, respecting the details, and taking responsibility for the outcome.
Today, Citadel focuses on residential rough carpentry, custom-home and roof framing, and select commercial light-gauge metal framing throughout San Antonio, Bexar County, and the surrounding Texas Hill Country.
Our standards are rooted in five principles:
Craftsmanship: Respect the trade, understand the plans, and take pride in every detail.
Discipline: Prepare thoroughly, maintain organized jobsites, and work with purpose.
Accountability: Stand behind our work, own our mistakes, and address problems responsibly.
Integrity: Honor our commitments and treat clients, employees, and fellow tradespeople with respect.
Legacy: Develop skilled craftsmen, build lasting relationships, and leave behind work worth being proud of.
We believe strong relationships are built through honest communication, dependable coordination, and the consistent pursuit of better workmanship.
Building Something Worth Passing Down
Today, Carlos’s father is retired and lives with him and his family.
The man who once taught his son to build with his hands now has the opportunity to see those lessons carried forward.
As a husband, father, veteran, and business owner, Carlos understands that building a company is about more than professional achievement. It is about creating opportunities for others, providing for family, and leaving something meaningful for the next generation.
His vision for Citadel is to develop a company where skilled tradespeople are valued, craftsmanship is respected, and every project contributes to a reputation earned through hard work.
A Note From Our Founder
“My father taught me the value of working with my hands and taking pride in what I build. Those lessons stayed with me through military service, law enforcement, and every chapter of my life. Today, I have the privilege of carrying his legacy forward while building something my own children can be proud of. That’s what Citadel means to me.”
Carlos Fuentes
Founder, Citadel Framing Contractors
United States Marine Corps Veteran | Law Enforcement Professional
Build With Citadel
We work with custom-home builders, design-build firms, remodelers, and commercial general contractors who value craftsmanship, accountability, and dependable project coordination.
Residential Framing | Custom Roof Framing | Commercial Metal Stud Framing
Built with Honor. Designed for Duty.