Rooted in Faith, Building with integrity

services

Catalpa Construction LLC is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured Topeka, KS based residential and commercial general contractor that uses centralized communication, established cost control measures, and vetted subcontractors to ensure project are completed on time, in budget, and with quality craftsmanship.

  • General Contracting

  • Project Management

  • New Construction

  • Renovations

  • Commercial

  • Residential

process

  • Work with an architect or engineer to bring your vision to life. We’re happy to connect you with trusted design partners if needed.

  • We thoroughly review your plans and specifications, identifying risks and refining details to ensure a smooth build.

  • We assemble detailed scopes and solicit competitive pricing from our vetted subcontractor network.

  • You receive a clear, not-to-exceed proposal. If needed, we provide value engineering options to align scope with budget.

  • We manage the entire construction process (permitting, coordination, scheduling, and quality control) through closeout. When the project is complete, we stand behind our work and remain available.

See some of our FAQs

Room under renovation with visible open walls, blue painter's tape marking sections on the dark brown floor, and a doorway leading to a small entryway with a white door. The room has wood accents and unfinished surfaces.
Interior of a house under construction with white walls, black ceiling beams, a black staircase, windows letting in natural light, and flooring covered with protective cardboard.
Open-concept living room and kitchen with tan leather sofa, small dining table with placemats, green and white kitchen cabinets, black backsplash, window with blinds, and modern lighting fixtures.

history

Catalpa Construction was born from a genuine passion for real estate and construction. With over a decade of combined training and field experience managing large-scale underground infrastructure projects and treatment plants, Christian made the exciting shift to above-grade construction. The ability to see a project from start to finish and proudly show family and friends “what we built” proved incredibly rewarding.

Catalpa’s journey began with smaller projects, such as bathroom remodels and detailed trim work, and expanded to much larger renovations like a complete rebuild. One particular home gut-and-rebuild project became the catalyst for the official founding of Catalpa Construction, setting the stage for the quality craftsmanship and personalized service the company takes pride in today.

name

One of Catalpa Construction’s first “big projects” (at the time) was renovating an Airbnb on a small lake called Catalpa Cottage, named for the large catalpa trees on the property.

When it came time to choose a company name, Christian decided to carry that connection forward. Catalpa Construction reflects both that first project and the lasting spaces the company strives to create.

A white house with black shutters and a brick chimney, next to a smaller white shed, with a lake and green trees in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.

Leadership

Christian leads projects with the support of a carefully vetted network of professional subcontractors, ensuring each project is staffed appropriately for its scope and complexity.

He is a licensed Professional Engineer with over a decade of experience in the construction industry, managing projects ranging from fast-paced, small-scale work to multi-year commercial projects exceeding $27 million. He brings a disciplined approach to budgeting, scheduling, and coordination, with a strong focus on accountability and execution.

In addition to his management experience, Christian has hands-on field knowledge in windows, fixtures, appliances, flooring, trim, paint, and tile work. This allows him to anticipate challenges and maintain quality throughout construction.

Outside of work, he is a devoted husband and proud father of two boys. His faith and commitment to family shape his approach to work, emphasizing integrity, ownership, and long-term relationships.

A young man smiling outdoors on a gravel path with trees in the background, wearing a brown long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

Christian Baybutt, PE

  1. FAITH

  2. OWNERSHIP

  3. RESPECT

  4. GROWTH

  5. EXCELLENCE

Line of colorful toy blocks on a white background

Our mission is to honor God by serving others with respect, taking ownership of every responsibility, pursuing continual growth, and delivering excellence in every project and relationship.

Our vision is to be rooted in faith, growing with purpose, serving others with excellence, and creating lasting impact in our community.

A cozy, well-lit living room with white walls, two cream-colored armchairs with dark wooden frames, a small wooden side table, a guitar leaning against the window, a hanging plant, a small rug, and large windows with black frames showing greenery outside.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord”

—Colossians 3:23 (NIV)