Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Construction Partner in Madison, WI
Established in 1945, Sullivan designBUILD has built an 80-year legacy as a trusted general contractor serving Madison, WI and surrounding areas. Our integrated designBUILD process combines architectural design, construction management, and client collaboration to deliver tailored solutions for commercial, medical, and industrial projects. With a team of seasoned professionals, we self-perform five major trades and maintain long-term partnerships to ensure quality execution across every project phase.Our approach emphasizes early cost modeling, value engineering, and transparent communication to meet budgets, timelines, and evolving client needs. Recognized for pioneering Madison's first true designBUILD methodology, we maintain a hands-on leadership style with executives actively involved in daily operations. From automotive dealerships to municipal facilities, our portfolio demonstrates consistent delivery of structures that exceed expectations while fostering enduring client relationships.
Services
General Construction
Commercial Construction
Construction Management
Design-Build Services
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 1945
Highlights and features
- We offer 80 years of local construction expertise in Madison and surrounding areas
- Our team includes executives with hands-on industry experience since 1945
- We pioneered Madison's first true designBUILD methodology for integrated projects
- We self-perform five major trades to maintain quality control and cost efficiency
- Our process includes early cost modeling and value engineering for budget certainty
What people say
Exceeded our expectations
Customer needs priority
Builder of choice
Proven talented team
Quality workmanship
Services
General Construction
Sullivan designBUILD provides comprehensive general contracting services for new construction projects in Madison and surrounding areas. Our team manages all aspects of the building process from site preparation to final inspections. With 80 years of local experience and five in-house trades, we ensure quality control while maintaining budget efficiency through our proprietary designBUILD methodology.
Commercial Construction
Specializing in commercial construction for medical offices, restaurants, and professional spaces, our firm combines architectural design with hands-on construction expertise. We address unique challenges of commercial projects through early cost modeling and value engineering. Our Madison-based team delivers functional spaces that meet both aesthetic goals and operational requirements for businesses of all sizes.
Construction Management
Our construction management services provide continuous oversight from project planning through completion. We coordinate all phases including permitting, scheduling, and quality control while maintaining transparent communication with stakeholders. With executives actively involved in daily operations, we ensure alignment with client goals throughout the 80-year proven process.
Design-Build Services
Sullivan designBUILD's proprietary designBUILD process merges architectural design and construction under one contract. This approach streamlines decision-making through collaborative planning sessions and 3D renderings. Our Madison team delivers cost-effective solutions by identifying potential issues early and implementing value engineering strategies that maximize return on investment.
Project Management
We offer end-to-end project management covering budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation. Our team implements strategic checkpoints to monitor progress and maintain alignment with client objectives. Through early risk assessment and proactive problem-solving, we ensure timely delivery while preserving quality standards across all project phases.
People
John Riley
President
Second-generation owner with lifelong construction experience, John leads with hands-on involvement in every project phase. He maintains Sullivan designBUILD's 80-year legacy while ensuring client-focused outcomes through personal attention and strategic leadership.
Jill Riley
EVP Business Development
Jill combines business acumen with construction expertise to translate client visions into actionable plans. She emphasizes collaborative relationships and leverages diverse industry knowledge to enhance project outcomes through effective communication and creative problem-solving.
Jim Triatik
VP/Architect
Senior architect with decades of experience creating innovative design solutions. Jim specializes in collaborative design processes that balance aesthetic goals with functional requirements, ensuring projects meet both technical specifications and client expectations through detailed planning.
Tom Knoop
EVP/Architect
Pioneer of Madison's first true designBUILD methodology, Tom established Sullivan's integrated approach to architectural and construction services. His focus on process refinement and client satisfaction continues to shape the company's proprietary project delivery system.
Bart O'Brien
Director of Field Operations
With 35+ years in construction, Bart oversees field operations and safety protocols. He implements proactive planning strategies to minimize delays while maintaining quality standards. His hands-on leadership ensures efficient project execution from estimation through final delivery.
Questions
What construction services do you offer in Madison?
We provide general contracting, commercial construction, design-build solutions, and project management services for businesses in Madison and surrounding areas.
How does your design-build process work?
Our integrated approach combines architectural design and construction under one contract, with collaborative planning and value engineering to ensure cost-effective, quality results.
How long have you served the Madison area?
We've been providing construction services in Madison since 1945, maintaining a proven track record of successful projects across various industries.
What areas do you serve beyond Madison?
While based in Madison, we serve clients throughout Wisconsin including Fitchburg, Middleton, and Sun Prairie for commercial construction projects.
Do you offer financing options?
We focus on transparent budgeting through early cost modeling rather than traditional financing arrangements for construction projects.
