Approaching four decades in business, DDB Contracting has built its reputation on a simple but demanding standard: deliver high-quality construction while taking as much responsibility off the client’s shoulders as possible. While the company is based in New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan region, it is licenced in 36 states with active projects spanning across the U.S. The family-run general contractor has completed more than 10 million square feet of interior renovations and commercial construction, supported by a delivery model rooted in safety, hands-on planning and in-house execution.
The company’s story began in 1987 as a carpentry business. Just two years later, it pivoted into general contracting in response to client demand, a decision that would define its future trajectory. Founded by builders, the company’s leadership came up doing the work in the field before ever managing it from an office. This generational expertise continues to shape how the firm operates today. Eric Albanese, DDB Contracting’s President and CEO, said that a legacy of experience remains central to how the firm operates. “We’ve completed projects in pretty much every sector including education, a lot of hospitality, commercial interior, some federal work, as well as labs and medical,” he said. “At this point, there’s not much we haven’t seen.”
“We’ve completed projects in pretty much every sector including education, a lot of hospitality, commercial interior, some federal work, as well as labs and medical.”
While DDB’s client base spans a wide range of sectors, the core of its work continues to be complex commercial construction and renovation projects. Interior fit-outs for hospitality and corporate clients remain a strength, but the company positions itself as a full-service general contractor capable of delivering both renovation and ground-up work. For clients, the value lies in having a partner that can manage complexity without disrupting their operations, allowing owners and operators to focus on their businesses while DDB manages the work.
One of the company’s distinguishing features is its commitment to self-performing work, an approach that Eric described as increasingly uncommon within the industry. “It’s pretty rare nowadays,” he said. “A lot of general contractors would rather just be hands off and managerial, whereas we’re the opposite.” Instead, DDB aims to perform as much work in-house as possible, maintaining direct oversight in the field. “We’re always trying to self-perform as much as we can,” Eric said. “When we have our people on site, we have more control over quality and timelines.”
That philosophy reflects the company’s identity as builders first. By keeping key trades in-house, DDB retains control and accountability. The company does not simply hand responsibility off to subcontractors. The core team stays close to the work, drawing on its own practical experience to make sure standards are kept.
That hands-on model extends across the full construction lifecycle. DDB oversees projects from demolition through to finishes, ensuring alignment between field execution and leadership oversight. According to Eric’s brother Eddie, Senior Vice President of West Coast, the company is actively seeking to expand its in-house capabilities even further. “Growing our company and adding to the trades we self-perform has been a priority for us. The talent within our crew has made that possible.”
At the front end of projects, DDB places strong emphasis on planning and clarity. Value engineering and cost control are treated as systematic exercises rather than afterthoughts, with scopes reviewed in detail against methods, materials, and processes. Design-build services further streamline delivery by providing clients with a single, consistent point of contact who is also a qualified tradesperson, a structure intended to improve transparency, reduce delays, and manage costs more effectively. In the hospitality sector, DDB also delivers project improvement plans, allowing renovations to proceed while facilities remain operational, minimizing disruption to guests and staff.
That design-build capability is reflected in DDB’s new renovation for Amerlux, a brand of Delta, at its Oakland, New Jersey facility. The project is a 5,000 square foot design-build renovation to an existing unfinished mezzanine within an active office and warehouse and was completed on a 12-week schedule.
Family involvement remains a defining feature of the business. Eric and Eddie spent their early years apprenticing with their father, also named Ed. “My father, I don’t think he’ll ever retire,” Eric said. “But as he looks to move more out of the business, Eddie and I have taken on more and more duties.”
That family foundation now supports a team of more than 50 professionals working on projects across the country. Long-tenured team members, including those who have been with DDB for more than 18 years, provide continuity in business development and client relationships, while field leadership ensures that the company’s builder-driven culture remains visible on every jobsite.
DDB works closely with clients, consultants, and trade partners, building trust through reliability and follow-through. For Jen Knaust, Director of Business Development, relationships are at the heart of the company. “For us, every project is the start of a relationship,” said Jen Knaust, Director of Business Development. “Clients come back because they know who they’re working with. We want them to feel like they’re in good hands.”
Although DDB’s roots are in the Northeast, the company now operates nationwide. Demand from existing clients has been strong enough that DDB now operates in California and expansion into Florida is on the horizon, a move designed to support clients with operations across multiple regions. “You can feel the momentum,” Eddie said. “That’s exciting. Clients don’t bring you to new markets unless they trust you.”
One example of DDB’s successful relationships is its work with Siemens Energy. The company delivered a 60,000SF office and laboratory interior renovation in Raleigh, North Carolina, transforming newly leased space to accommodate testing facilities and office space. “Siemens Energy was a milestone client for us,” Jen said. “That first big renovation was such a rewarding moment. It felt like all the hard work finally paid off.” That project led directly to additional work for Siemens Energy in other states, reinforcing the value of dependable delivery across markets.
Hospitality has been another consistent pillar of DDB’s portfolio. Over the past decade, the firm has worked repeatedly with Ashford Hospitality, Remington Hospitality, Premier, as well as Aimbridge Hospitality and Host Hotels & Resorts. While those long-term relationships remain central, Eric noted that the company continues to pursue diversification. “We’re always looking to expand into new sectors,” he said. “While we’ve done work in medical and industrial spaces, we’re looking to continue developing our presence in those areas.”
Operational discipline has remained a priority as DDB has grown. The company has streamlined its internal processes to work more efficiently while maintaining clear oversight of projects nationwide. This focus was recently reinforced by DDB’s ISNetworld certification, an important safety and compliance credential required by many national clients. The certification reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to rigorous safety standards, transparent practices, and consistent performance across all markets.
As it approaches its 40th year, DDB Contracting continues to balance tradition with adaptation. Built by builders and sustained through hands-on execution, the company’s focus remains on delivering dependable construction while evolving its capabilities to meet changing client and market demands. What began as a carpentry operation has matured into a full-service general contractor with national reach, but its foundation remains the same: leadership that understands the work because they have done it.
