About Distinctive Design Construction
Distinctive Design Construction
Your Trusted Partner for Premier Marine Construction
With over 25 years of expertise, Distinctive Design Construction stands as the go-to marine construction company in St. Tammany Parish. We specialize in docks, boat houses, boat hoists, bulkheads, and marine pile driving, offering unmatched craftsmanship and reliability.
As one of the few (if not the only) fully-insured marine contractors in the area, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Our comprehensive insurance coverage includes General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and United States Longshore and Harbor (USL&H) Maritime Insurance, ensuring both peace of mind and superior service.
Equipped with cutting-edge machinery—including multiple pile driving machines and a water-accessible barge—we have the tools and experience to tackle even the most complex waterfront projects.
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and personalized service. As a family-owned and operated business, we treat every project with the care and attention it deserves, ensuring your vision comes to life with precision and excellence.
Whether you’re looking to build a new dock, install a boat hoist, or strengthen your bulkhead, you can trust Distinctive Design Construction to handle all your waterfront and decking needs.
A Legacy of Excellence
Family-Owned & Built on Trust
At Distinctive Design Construction, we’re not just another construction company—we’re a family business with deep roots in craftsmanship and customer care. Gerald Sauter, the company’s founder, has been leading the way since 1982, bringing over four decades of experience to every project. From the first estimate to the final inspection, Gerald personally ensures that each job is executed with precision and quality. He visits every customer and oversees every work site to guarantee top-tier results.
Joining Gerald in the family business is his son, Brandon Sauter, who has worked alongside his father since he was a child. What started as an introduction to the trade has grown into a shared ownership role. Today, Gerald and Brandon co-own Distinctive Design Construction, bringing complementary skills and a shared commitment to excellence. As Owner and Operator, Brandon plays an active role in every project, overseeing job sites and ensuring the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction are met.
Together, as a father-and-son team, Gerald and Brandon Sauter bring a personal touch and hands-on leadership to every job, ensuring that each project is a reflection of the same high standards the company was built on.
Fully Licensed & Insured
Distinctive Design Construction is one of the few in St. Tammany that is covered by United States Longshoremen’s and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Insurance (USL&H). Under the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, dock builders or marine contractors who build docks behind private homes, or who do any kind of marine construction, even if they are working two feet or less of “navigable water” must have USL&H insurance.
Failure to have USL&H coverage is not only against the law it puts the home or property owner at a great risk. Fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment are punishment under law for those not insured, not to mention the potential damages that an injured employee could be awarded by the courts if the employer is not properly covered!
Protect yourself by having only a properly insured company install your bulkhead, dock, boathouse, or hoist. You can only be sure you have a true copy of United States Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workman’s Compensation Insurance if it is sent to you direct from the insurance agent.