Reprint: CH2 Magazine July 2020
RCH CONSTRUCTION: Quality Craftsmanship and Unsurpassed Customer Service
Author: Blanche Sullivan
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So what do you after you’ve played college and pro basketball, taught high school math, coached high school basketball and served as an apple orchard manager?
Build homes, naturally.
For many, the transition from the aforementioned careers to home builder may be difficult to grasp, but Hugh Hobus, affable owner of RCH Construction, seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to excelling in whatever position he assumes—even home building during the currently challenging economic clime.
On Hilton Head Island since 1999, this trim and crown molding aficionado attended and shot hoops as a Bulldog for Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington) for a few years before going pro ball Down Under and having the first of three children.“I played pro basketball in Melbourne, Australia for about three-and-a-half years and it was great. Heidi was actually born there. We saw all of Australia, which was amazing,but we were homesick so we came back to the States.”
Hobus then took on a job as a math teacher and basketball coach at Post Falls High in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He enjoyed his teaching and coaching experience, but took advantage of an opportunity to return to Washington by accepting a managerial position at an apple orchard in Chelan. For about nine years, Hobus served as the spraying expert for the largest grower (5,500 acres) of Fuji and Granny Smith apples in the county.
So how, then, did Hobus decide to pick up a hammer and begin paving his home construction path?
I shared about 30 years of moving and 14 homes. Working in an orchard, there wasn’t much to do during the wintertime. So I would remodel homes with a couple of brothers I knew.”
And how did Hobus’ path lead cross-country to South Carolina’s Lowcountry? Age-related epiphany and, the “family factor.”
Said Hobus, “I had just turned 40, was having a mid-life crisis and I was thinking about moving.I had decided on the Southeast region and were trying to narrow it down to a specific area. Friends had vacationed on Hilton Head Island regularly, so I decided to check it out. I really liked the lay of the land and fell in love with the community.”
But Hobus didn’t just pack his bags, relocate and establish RCH. He first expanded his knowledge base and garnered significant expertise by getting his hands dirty and blistered.
“I basically came down as a $20-per-hour carpenter and worked with a guy on Daufuskie [Island]. I did everything: building foundations, trim, etc. Next I took a test to get my residential builder license, specializing in trim and crown molding.”
With license in hand and a vision to restore what has lost its luster and create superior dream homes, Hobus founded RCH Construction.
“RCH was named after my daughters: Rachelle, Candy and Heidi.
After all, the money is going to them anyway!” he remarked with a grin.
On a more serious note, RCH has established itself as a premier renovator and innovator when it comes to property rehabilitation and retrofitting and prides itself on exquisitely constructed homes.
“RCH is all about quality, and we do everything we can to exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Hobus. “No job is too small. We do everything, from small window replacement to grand custom homes, and treat each job as if it is our home.”
Not unlike his Gonzaga Bulldog days, Hobus is proud to say that the RCH “roster” comprises an impressive group of highly professional and skilled players with whom he shares a family-like history.
“The RCH team, which is really made up of some of the best, most professional talent in the Lowcountry, has been together for almost nine years, and we are very hands-on. Everything is done in-house. We control the schedules; we control the quality, and we use only the best materials,” said Hobus.
According to Hobus, RCH also consistently employs the same professionals for such home components as flooring, heating and air, etc., and is committed to environmentally friendly design, construction and maintenance.
“When we work with the same people, we can better control quality. Green building design is also important and, for RCH, involves finding the delicate balance between homebuilding and the sustainable environment. We’re leaving a lighter footprint on the environment through conservation of resources, while, at the same time, balancing energy-efficient, cost-effective, low-maintenance products for our construction needs.”
In spite of an economic downturn in our country, RCH has been responsive to customers’ needs and has been thriving.
“Our remodeling business is up—as good as ever—because people are choosing to remodel instead of build right now. They’re saying, ‘let’s put that addition on,’” said Hobus.
He added, “In today’s economy, when many people are remodeling their homes instead of building new, it also makes sense to maintain quality. RCH is all about developing a sanctuary for them to enjoy for a lifetime and then hand down for generations.”
RCH, a member of the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association, has been recognized by the organization with numerous Lighthouse Awards—notably for “Best Overall Full Remodel” and one for “Best Exterior.” RCH is also a member of the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors.
“We have had a great past ten years and look forward to even more successful ones. I believe this because people view their house as their ‘home,’ not an investment. We share that view,” said Hobus.
The Lowcountry abounds with RCH success stories and satisfied customers, but in spite of its expertise, reliability, speed and use of quality materials, Hobus believes that their service is not more expensive.
He said, “We’ll actually save you money, because we save you time. There are no egos at RCH. Everyone is there, on the job site, to help everyone. I’m there too. I’m not sitting at the office. I’m on every home site, hands-on with every project.”
So what does the statuesque homebuilder do for fun when he is not on the job site?
“I enjoy basketball, golf, tennis and, occasionally, water skiing,” he said. “You have to de-stress somehow. You gotta have balance. My philosophy is mind, body, spirit. Do something every day for your mind, for exercise. Whatever God you serve, believe in that God; do something every day to show thanks. Live a better life.”
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