St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles – August 2019

16 AUGUST 2019 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

THE INSIDER

slhl

Q

A

SLHL: How did you get started?

Ladd: I started working with my parents doing projects around the

house. Though neither of them was trained in construction, this time

was very beneficial for me to see that with effort, creativity, passion

and patience a lot can be accomplished. Added to that, a mistake isn’t

always a failure. Being willing to extend yourself and take time to learn

from your mistakes has been a valuable lesson I’m still working on today.

During my college years, I worked framing houses in some of the new

subdivisions going up. After college, I traveled internationally and

worked during the duration. I was involved in some demolition crews

as well as in some remote and environmentally protected areas in the

Daintree rainforest in Australia. When my traveling had come to an

end, I began working for a furniture company that designed and sold

custom furniture as well as antiques. This allowed me to build on my

experience by working with clients toward a goal. I later took time to

go into custom cabinet-making which honed more fine carpentry skills.

SLHL: How long have you been in business?

Ladd: We started our own general contracting business in 2009 right

at the downturn of the economy. Sometimes the timing of a dream

isn’t always the best, but it can certainly work out! Before our company,

and excluding building retaining walls, decks and framing basements

for my parents as a young adult, I had been working in the trades and

learning various skills since 1998.

With years of expertise and experience, Ladd Suydam of

Ladd Suydam Contracting knows how to keep your historic

remodel true to its past and make it fit your future.

Edited by Moe Godat

Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

SLHL: Do you have a specialty or expertise?

Ladd: Our specialty is working on historic houses. They allow us to

explore our passions for architectural details and history while

considering the reality of design and budget. I enjoy developing a

process in which customers are more involved and have a voice

throughout the project. We can work toward creating if not a replica,

at least a space that pays homage to the period and feel of the house.

We’re traditionalists at heart with an open mind to today’s styles and

living needs.

SLHL: What has been your favorite project lately?

Ladd: A favorite project recently was a modern addition added to

an early 1900s Spanish-style house in the Central West End. It took

the better part of a year from planning to almost complete with the

jobsite. We had wonderful homeowners and built a new relationship

with an architect firm that we have enjoyed working with. This was

a project that pushed us in logistics, organization and our internal

processes. We really learned to lean on each other within our

company as a unit and did well, all while providing a quality product

that the homeowners have been thrilled with.

HISTORY

Remaking