About Royal Ridge Builders

Built on curiosity, craftsmanship, and real-world experience. Meet Joseph Sladky

My name’s Joe. I didn’t plan to start a construction business — I just followed a deep love for carpentry and a desire to help others. Over the years, I turned that passion into a business.

What makes Royal Ridge Builders different isn’t just the quality work—it’s the journey behind it. My story is rooted in hands-on learning, old-school values, and a deep passion for building with purpose.

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My Journey In Carpentry

These photos included below are from jobs I’ve worked on over the years — while working with the Harringtons, Toby, and on my own projects.

1. Early Passion for Building & My Love for Carpentry Begins

Hi, my name is Joe—and ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by tools and building things. One of the earliest and most formative memories I have is from when a local contractor, Chris McMahon, came to build an addition on our house.

I must’ve asked them a thousand questions—why they got into construction, how they did certain things, why they did them that way, even how much they made.

Watching them work sparked something in me. It made me want to do construction too—to learn how to build, solve problems, and work on fun and meaningful projects like they did.

2. It All Started with Scrap Wood and Curiosity

I started gathering scraps of wood and nails from the basement, job sites, and anywhere I could find them. My growing collection of materials fueled endless projects.

What I love most about carpentry is the ability to take a vision and turn it into something real. Your creativity becomes something you can see, touch, and share. There’s also something deeply fulfilling about building things that help others—especially my family.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to develop these skills was so I could handle home repairs for my family—especially my mom. I didn’t want her to have to hire someone else when I could be the one to take care of it.

3. A meaningful path that gave my life direction

After graduating high school in 2018, I was determined to find a meaningful path and become independent.

While I grew up in Virginia, my cousins—the Harringtons—ran a construction business out in Illinois. My Uncle Dan, a master carpenter with decades of experience, had built high-end homes and managed everything from residential to commercial projects. His ability to cut in complex roof lines and do fine work always amazed me.

4. Learning the Trade, One Job at a Time

My cousin Tim, who’s about my age, had already begun landing his own jobs. I respected that a lot.

Inspired, I bought a one-way plane ticket to Illinois to learn carpentry from my uncle and work alongside my cousins. Tim and I had always been close, and I admired the independence and maturity he had gained through his work. The Harringtons kids—coming from a family of 12 had to grow up fast and learn from a young age how to get things done. I was ready to learn too.

In Illinois, I spent most of my time working with my cousins while also teaming up with other contractors in the area to broaden my skills. It was hands-on learning, and I took every opportunity to grow.

5. Every Dollar Went Toward the Next Tool

Money was tight, so I started picking up side jobs wherever I could. Every time I landed a job, I’d use some of the money to buy the tools I needed for the next one—and the rest to cover bills. Over time, I built up a solid collection of tools.

I also took a job as a groundskeeper at a retreat center, where I handled all their carpentry needs—from building furniture and structures to repairing older ones and maintaining the property. It was a great experience that kept expanding my range of skills.

6. Moving Across the Country to Virginia: I Packed My Jeep & Drove

Then COVID hit.

Wanting to make sure my family was safe and supported, I packed up all my tools and made the long drive back to Virginia—crammed into my 2008 green Jeep Patriot—within hours of deciding to go, hoping to beat potential travel shutdowns.

At the time, I figured I’d be home for a week or two—so I didn’t worry about work or make any plans. But the days turned into weeks, and the bills started rolling in fast. I had no job lined up, and I needed to figure things out quickly.

7. An old Jeep, A Miter box, and the Job That Started It All.

That’s when things began to take shape.

Someone I knew had picked up a remodel job but didn’t know how to handle the carpentry side. They knew I was in town, so they called me. I used the last of my money to buy a miter box and got to work.

The homeowners were thrilled with the results and immediately had more projects for me. Then their friends started reaching out. Word spread quickly.

I kept working, getting referrals from happy clients and friends alike. With each job, I reinvested in better tools and paid down bills—and that’s how Royal Ridge Builders was founded.

8. The Power of a Good Recommendation

During that time, I reconnected with John, the guy I used to do landscaping work for. He wanted me to run his landscaping crews—but even though he had a job offer for me, he still went out of his way to refer me to a local contractor named Toby Stanley, who owned TNT Construction.

John gave me a strong recommendation, telling Toby I was one of his best workers. I showed up to one of their barn-building job sites with all my tools packed in the back of my Jeep.

Toby hired me on the spot for a trial week—and by the end of it, not only did he keep me on, he increased my pay by about 25% over the original offer.

9. Refining Skills and Taking the Leap

Working with Toby was a huge growth period. I learned new techniques, refined old ones, and took on real responsibility. At the same time, I continued to take side jobs after hours and on weekends.

Eventually, I decided to leave Toby’s crew to focus fully on my own business ventures. Since then, I’ve successfully run a construction company, a marketing firm, and a landscape design business. I’ve also pursued a college degree at Thomas Aquinas College and and competed in martial arts competitions including MMA & Brazilian Jiujitsu.

10. Why I do this - The truth is carpentry is in my bones...

For me, carpentry is about craftsmanship and care. It’s about building something you’re proud of—something that helps others. I love the problem-solving side of it, too. It requires more thinking and creativity than I ever expected when I started out.

Of everything I’ve done, carpentry continues to bring me joy and satisfaction. It’s something I truly love—both for work and just for fun. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many great people over the years, and every new project is a chance to keep doing what I love.

Here are some of the projects I've gotten to work on over the years

"Throughout my carpentry journey, I’ve had the opportunity to take on a wide variety of rewarding projects. Working alongside multiple contractors exposed me to a diverse range of skills, techniques, and job types — each one helping me grow as a craftsman and deepen my experience." - Joe

Build Custom Homes

Work on Storefronts

Remodel Restaurants

Construct Barns

Build Sheds

Construct Decks

Build Staircases

Install Hardwood Flooring

Install Luxury Vinyl Plank

Shingle Roofs

Install Gutters

Work on Residential Jobs

Build Walls

Remodel Kitchens

Remodel Bathrooms

Frame & Finish Basements

Renovate Homes

Demolition Projects

Work Concrete

Paint

Work on Commercial Jobs

Manage Crews

Cut In Roofs

Install Railings

Hang Drywall

Tile Work

Build Additions

Install Trim

Hang Doors

Install Windows

Build Patios

Build Furniture

Build Pergolas

Work on Agricultural Jobs

Build Porches

Structural Upgrades

Handyman Work

Install Landscapes

Grade Land

Why Local Homeowners Trust Us

Why Royal Ridge?

7+ Years Experience

Trusted by repeat clients

5 Star Rating

Detail-first craftsmanship

Clear communication

Local and independent

Pressure-free quotes

No Subcontractors

Customer Testimonial

“This was the second project I hired Joseph for — and once again, I couldn’t be more impressed. The first time, he installed luxury vinyl tile and trim, and the results were so clean and professional that I didn’t hesitate to bring him back for more.”

“For this latest project, he took care of everything from start to finish — painting, prep work, flooring, and additional trim. He also did all the demo work, including ripping out old carpet and prepping the subfloor. His attention to detail is next level — everything looked polished and professional. You can tell Joseph takes real pride in his work and genuinely cares about doing the job right.”

“If you’re looking for someone skilled, reliable, and detail-oriented, I highly recommend him. I’ll definitely be hiring him again.”

— Matthew Gelis, repeat client

Let’s Talk About Your Next Project

If you have a project in mind, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free quote. I’d love to hear what you’re planning—and how I can help bring it to life.

Proudly Serving Front Royal and the Shenandoah Valley

At Royal Ridge Builders, we offer expert carpentry, trim, flooring, painting, framing, handyman services, and clean demolition across Front Royal, Virginia, and the greater Shenandoah Valley. Based locally, we regularly serve homeowners and small businesses in Strasburg, Linden, Winchester, Stephens City, Bentonville, Middletown, Berryville, and surrounding communities across Warren, Frederick, and the Shenandoah.

If you’re located nearby but don’t see your town listed, feel free to reach out — chances are, we can help.