In 1985, Durk moved to San Diego to work for Ed Olsen Construction. The following year, he relocated to Los Angeles to join Franklin Construction as a superintendent, overseeing the construction of more than 100 speculative custom homes in Mulholland and Coldwater Canyon.

In 1987, he transitioned to Projects West Construction, a firm specializing in apartment development and owner-built properties. Initially brought on as a troubleshooting superintendent to salvage the company’s first project, Durk quickly rose to the position of Construction Manager, supervising multiple jobsite superintendents and managing the construction of five to six buildings at a time. During his tenure, he was involved in the design, management, and construction of approximately 1,000 residential units.

Following the 1992 real estate market crash, Durk relocated to Miami, Florida, where he worked for two years as an independent consultant and private insurance adjuster. He specialized in negotiating settlements for property owners and rehabilitating apartment buildings severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew.

In 1994, he returned to California to reunite with Projects West and spearheaded the construction of the Daily Grill in Palm Desert. Shortly thereafter, the Northridge Earthquake struck Los Angeles, and Durk partnered with Projects West to rebuild dozens of damaged buildings. This experience enhanced his expertise in negotiating insurance claims and developing innovative construction solutions, such as lifting and reconstructing destroyed first floors beneath salvageable upper floors. This work continued for six years, solidifying his reputation as a specialist in disaster recovery and structural rehabilitation.