Shortly after founding RCH Construction in 1999, Hugh Hobus emerged as one of the Lowcountry’s premiere homebuilders, combining a wealth of knowledge with an eye for inspired creativity. He was a towering figure in the industry, one who garnered near-universal respect from peers and competitors alike.
Needless to say, his were big shoes for anyone to fill. Though she was five months pregnant with her son Philip at the time, Angelina Carper took on the challenge. She spent her third trimester taking care of the logistics and licensing that comes with taking over a business.
Fortunately, Carper is not one to back away from hard work. She knew that her 20 years in the industry, working on the corporate side for large commercial general contractors, would help her quickly get acclimated to her new endeavor. She also knew that her drive and ambition would allow her not only to rise to the standard Hobus had set, but to create an entirely new standard of her own.
“We have seen incredible growth since the transition from the impressive trajectory Hugh was already on,” she said. “We’ll have finished our first community in one year, with most of the homes finishing in just seven to eight months.”
Totals for that project add up to 19,760 square feet, 31 bedrooms, and 36 bathrooms across five homes. This is on top of the additional custom homes and remodels that were tackled during this time.
Carper also opened a design-build division, which she is perhaps most passionate about, drawing on her experience in the world of commercial construction to create completely new opportunities for dream homes in the Lowcountry.
“The previous projects that I have built ranged from the renovation of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist to a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical processing facility,” Carper said. “It has been thrilling to apply those experiences to create truly bespoke homes. With the design-build division, it comes down to this: Anything you can think of is something we can make happen. We’ve done everything from a panic room to a concealed gun storage vault, to a true Tuscan wine cellar with authentic Italian finishes.”
For homeowners, working with RCH means a one-stop shop for pursuing that pie-in-the-sky dream home addition. Carper takes point on every project, hiring architects and engineers to make everything happen, while simplifying the process on the client end by giving them one point of contact – her.
“I’ve always loved design-build as a concept because it’s extremely beneficial to have the builder involved in the front-end design conversation. I can really steer it toward what makes sense from a constructability or cost perspective,” she said. “Plus, it’s just a lot more fun for me. I love the challenging projects.”
Angelina Carper, president of RCH Construction
It also lets Carper take a painstaking approach to each build, working with clients to intimately understand each factor that will turn their dream into reality. “There’s a lot of work that goes into ensuring every single piece of the project is intentional and works together to achieve each client’s vision,” she said.
On top of launching the design-build division, Carper attained her general contractor’s license, the highest level in this state, with reciprocity in 18 other states. Now that she has the first project for the commercial division secured and in preconstruction, Carper plans to take her extensive commercial experience to the next level. She is currently the construction manager and general contractor for a multi-phase development in Old Town Bluffton and is working through the planning commission, which is no small feat.
“We have received positive feedback from our meetings with the development review committee,” she said. “The location of the project requires a certificate of appropriateness and a more involved approval process.”
The team of RCH construction poses for a photo on a job site.
Commercially, two more developments are already in the pipeline and Carper is looking forward to playing a part in the improvement of the area.
“The growth of our area is incredibly important to me. I was relocated frequently throughout my career and could not be more grateful to now call the Lowcountry home,” Carper said. “Our family has been coming to the island for almost 50 years, and 16 of us live here full-time now. I want our children to grow up in a Lowcountry that could be recognized by someone who visited back when Sea Pines was first founded.”
Along that line, Carper also recently acquired Vital Solar, allowing them to move into the rapidly growing market for solar conversions.
“We did a lot of research on having solar in the area, especially with the rental market and how high our utility bills can get in the summer,” she said. “The company we’re working with gives us access to high-grade panels and battery systems that replace the need for a generator.”
It’s not just the business that’s expanding. Just as Carper welcomed her first child while she was taking the reins at RCH, she will soon welcome a daughter, Camellia Carol Carper, in the midst of incredible expansion for her business.
It’s an attitude of gratitude that she carries with her always, knowing that her own ambitions for RCH are matched and supported by everyone around her.
“This period has been harrowing at times and none of this would have been possible without the support of so many different people. First and foremost, my husband and partner in everything, and the best family one could hope for,” Carper said. “The town and their staff have been there to help at every step of the way, and I can’t thank our incredible team, vendors, subcontractors and clients enough for their partnership over the past 18 months. If we’ve run into a pinch, I can’t think of a single time someone hasn’t shown up for us. It’s an incredible community. Not just the building community – all of Hilton Head Island.”
To learn more about the expanded offerings from RCH Construction, visit rchconstruction.com.
