Built to Last: Celebrating 40 Years of TDS Design Build

Defining Four Decades of Home Building and Remodeling in Madison, Wisconsin

This year, TDS celebrates 40 years in business, an extraordinary milestone in an industry where construction firms rise and fall with the tides of economic uncertainty. Our history is one of adaptation and endurance, shaped by the labor of craftspeople, the vision of its leaders, and the trust of the clients who, over the decades, have handed over their homes with faith that TDS would return them something remarkable.

Two Swedes, a Volvo, and a Vision

Our story began in the spring of 1985, when two high school friends who shared a penchant for stonework and carpentry and, infused with the reckless optimism of youth, launched a small construction company, TDS. TDS is rumoured to have originally stood for “Two Dumb Swedes” (a self-effacing joke) between the founders, but the true origin of the name has been lost to the mists of time.

Regardless, with a lot of tuffhet (that’s Swedish for “chutzpah”), a couple of tools, and a few word-of-mouth referrals, TDS was in business.

A few months later, they invited Sam Briedenbach into the fold. Sam wasn’t Swedish, but he drove a Volvo, which, in their eyes, was close enough. This casual, offbeat spirit marked the firm’s earliest days, a blend of craftsmanship and camaraderie that would define its character for decades to come.

Column renovation on Edenfred Estates in 1988

The House That Sam Built

Sam, who had a boundless appreciation for old houses and an eye for historic preservation, quickly became a defining force within the company. By 1993, he had taken sole ownership and incorporated the firm under the more professional name, TDS Custom Construction. He hired a kitchen designer that same year, our first foray into bringing design in-house.

Building a Reputation for Restoring and Remodeling

TDS soon became known for its historical restorations and high-end residential remodeling in Madison and our surrounding communities. The firm took on projects like The LaFollette House, a Madison landmark, and Monroe Street’s Arbor House Environmental Inn, an early example of eco-conscious commercial design. While many builders prioritized speed and volume, Sam emphasized quality and relationships, ensuring that clients became repeat customers and employees stayed for years, even decades.

Design + Build

In 2004, Sam hired our first in-house architectural designer so TDS could control the entire design-build process.

In 2009, he made a bold statement by designing and constructing TDS’s own energy-efficient office, a building that served as a physical embodiment of the company’s core commitment to sustainability and thoughtful design. In 2012, TDS completed our first high-performance home. By 2015, after decades at the helm, Sam began contemplating the next chapter—not just for himself but for TDS. He needed a successor who deeply understood and respected the DNA of the company.

He already knew exactly who it would be.

Ben Blodgett’s Apprenticeship in Craft and Leadership

Ben Blodgett arrived at TDS in 2000, not as an executive-in-waiting but as a laborer on a historic hotel restoration project that never materialized. He was young, ambitious, and willing to do the work—attributes Sam recognized immediately. Over the years, Ben moved through the ranks, becoming Lead Carpenter, Project Manager, and eventually, General Manager.

By 2015, Sam and Ben began discussing the future of TDS. Ownership transitions are often fraught, particularly in legacy firms where the founder’s influence runs deep. But Sam was determined to do it right. Over five years, the two crafted a carefully planned transition, ensuring that the firm’s identity—with its focus on our people, our closely held values, architect-led design, sustainable building practices, and superior craftsmanship—remained intact.

On January 1, 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, Ben officially took ownership of TDS, purchasing the company outright. The transition was seamless, but it was also a test: could TDS maintain its identity while stepping into a new era?

TDS 2.0 and the Road to the Future

Ben’s leadership came at a pivotal moment. The remodeling industry was facing labor shortages, material price surges, and an uncertain future.

Ben’s approach was to double down on expertise. He assembled a formal leadership team, refined the company’s design-build process, and positioned TDS as the premier choice for high-end remodeling in Dane County. Under his guidance, TDS not only reinforced its commitment to helping clients stay in the homes they love—it also began laying the foundation for the next 40 years.

Ben understood something fundamental: TDS was built on relationships—with clients, employees, and the Madison community.

The Houses They Leave Behind

Forty years is a long time in any industry, but especially in one where reputation is everything and competition is relentless. What has kept TDS standing when so many others have disappeared?

Some would say it’s the quality of the work—the firm’s obsessive attention to detail and its ability to blend old-world craftsmanship with modern, high-performance building techniques. Others might argue that it’s the company’s culture—a team of skilled professionals who stay not just for jobs, but for careers.