Brothers Tom and Tim Bates have been helping families build their dream homes in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas for nearly twenty years.
Long before founding Glendarroch Homes, Tom and Tim were already builders at heart, turning schoolyard Lemonhead candy sales in middle school and lakeside golf ball ventures in high school into their first entrepreneurial pursuits. They shared a love for problem-solving, a passion for hard work, and a dream of creating something of their own.
Part of that vision was shaped by their childhood abroad. Living in Singapore and Scotland exposed them to a wide range of architectural styles and cultural influences—experiences that still inspire their designs today. “It’s really fun when a client wants to build a home that reflects a different part of the world or culture,” Tim says. “You could have an English Tudor that looks like it’s been there for 300 years. Those are just really fun projects.”
A Fort Worth Beginning
After graduating from high school in Houston, Tom was the first one to make his way over to Fort Worth to play baseball at Texas Christian University (TCU), quickly falling in love with the city. “After I graduated, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn’t want to be at a desk all day,” Tom shares. “Although I didn’t know much about construction at the time, I interviewed for a warranty manager position at Legacy Homes, and after a few years, I was able to move my way up to Area Manager.”
While Tom was working in the construction field, Tim was working for RECARO Aircraft Seating as an Engineer. When the idea of starting a construction business together began to take shape, Tim realized he wanted to delve deeper into his understanding of running a business and returned to TCU to pursue an MBA.
Resilient by Design
Glendarroch Homes broke ground in 2006, but shortly after, the housing market collapsed. Rather than abandon their new business, the brothers paused and recalibrated their approach. “The recession forced us to be strategic,” Tim says. “We didn’t just want to survive it, we wanted to come out of it better, more equipped, and with a business that could weather anything.”
They put their focus on building relationships and listening deeply to their clients’ needs. These values have quietly shaped how Glendarroch conducts business, from blueprints to final walk-throughs. And by the time the market recovered, they were ready not just to build homes, but to build trust with the community that they put roots in.
Where Craft Meets Legacy
Their passion for building custom homes is not only what fuels each project when plans start to form, but also what gets them over the finish line. “I want to see the fruits of whatever I do – it’s tangible, taking part in building a home. I could drive by that for the next 100 years,” Tom shares.
“You get to see what you’ve built and created constantly. It’s just like someone who's crafted a sculpture. I can drive by with my kids and show them the tangible work we’ve done throughout the years,” Tim adds.
Their passion for this work is evident in every project, including a recent build for Manesh and Kiran Shah in the Viridian neighborhood. The home blends sleek, modern design with a sense of lived-in warmth. “It turned out fantastic,” the brothers say. “We’re really proud of this one, and working with this couple was a joy.”
A Collaborative Process
From the first meeting to the final walk-through, Glendarroch clients are guided through an intentional, personalized, and white-glove experience.
“Our process starts with meeting our clients where they are,” Tim explains. “We walk through existing homes with clients, ask questions, understand how they live, and what they value. Then we get to work drawing plans, meeting with architects, and collaborating every step of the way.”
Once construction begins, Tom takes the lead on-site. “We go over everything with our clients – plans, materials, expectations, all before breaking ground,” he says. “And we stay in constant communication. Things move fast during the construction phase, and we want clients to know they’re in the loop and their priorities matter. We never want them to feel surprised by anything during the process.”
That intention and care don’t end at move-in. Two months after a family settles in, the team returns for a final walk-through. “That last check-in helps us ensure we’ve delivered not just a beautiful home, but a great experience,” Tim says. “If anything needs to be fixed or updated after they have had the opportunity to live in their new home for a couple of months, we come back in and make sure it’s taken care of.”
Fort Worth, Forever
Even with the global perspective they gained as kids, Tom and Tim say Fort Worth always felt like home. “After graduating, I was offered a job in Germany,” Tim shares. “But my wife and I loved Fort Worth. We knew we wanted to plant our roots here.”
Today, those roots run deep. Nearly 20 years after founding Glendarroch Homes, the brothers have helped hundreds of families do the same, building homes that reflect their clients’ personalities, stories, and dreams.
“Our clients trust us with something incredibly personal—the place they’ll raise kids, host holidays, and build their lives,” Tom says. “That’s not a responsibility we take lightly.”
If you’re looking to build your dream home, Tom and Tim want you to know this: “We’ll be honest. We’ll be transparent. And we’ll be right there with you—every step of the way.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Glendarroch Homes, you can visit their website at glendarrochhomes.com, call 817-560-1600, or check out their Instagram page @glendarrochhomes.