Discover how Rapp Construction Management transforms upstate dreams into realities for homeowners in the Hudson Valley 

For over 30 years, Rapp Construction Management (Rapp) has been delivering luxury custom homes and historic home renovations throughout New York’s Upper Hudson Valley. Working primarily with New York City-based clients, the company specializes in catering to those seeking a quieter upstate lifestyle. Rapp’s team of experts assists with land acquisition, architect recommendations and introductions, permitting assistance, and budget development. Starting from humble beginnings in the 1980s, the company was founded by Joe Rapp, a talented carpenter who transitioned into custom home building and built his reputation over 20 years. When Joe retired, he passed the reins to his mentee, Aaron Smith, who has since carefully upheld Rapp’s legacy. Now serving as Owner, Aaron joins us to discuss Rapp’s scope of services and noteworthy projects.

“Initially starting as a general contractor, we began crafting more custom homes and quickly realized that the general contractor model was not particularly well-suited to achieving the level of quality and complexity we aimed for. As a result, we adopted an existing construction management model typically used in commercial applications, and we applied it to the residential sector instead. This approach provided us with much more flexibility in design and material changes while enabling us to foster better relationships with our clients. Although we occasionally take on general construction and contracting work, we handle the majority of our projects as construction managers, acting as agents for the owner. Each year, we build six-to-ten custom homes in upstate New York, creating some of the finest properties in the region,” he affirms.  

From selection to completion 

Getting more specific, Aaron elaborates on the services provided by Rapp. “We specialize in pre-construction and construction services for high end-residential projects. While we occasionally take on restaurants and have some experience in commercial work, we tend to prefer and stay focused on residential as it aligns more with our passion. Our services are offered either as a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) or on a fee basis, and we ideally take projects from land selection through to completion. Typically, we assist the client in selecting the piece of land, architectural team, structural team, and even the design team in cases where more components are required. From there, we handle pre-construction and design development. Once the design reaches a stage where it can be priced, we provide cost estimates, conduct value engineering if needed, and pick the contractors that are going to execute the project. Moreover, we help refine the design throughout the construction phase, as plans are not always fully articulated at the outset. Finally, we manage the warranty phase upon project completion,” he enlightens. 

One of Rapp’s most standout projects, in Aaron’s opinion, involved the construction of an all-cement indoor pool. He goes on to share more details about this exciting home, which is currently in its final stages of construction. “The homeowner, who happens to be a talented designer, wanted to build a pool house that was tucked away from view. To achieve this, we spent two months excavating a mountainside to seamlessly tuck the building into the hillside, making it nearly invisible from most angles. After an initial $300,000 investment, we had a foundation in the ground and constructed an all-concrete, board-formed structure measuring 60 by 40 feet. Inside, we installed the pool, while the adjacent amenity space was created in a carriage barn that was originally built 17 years ago. We demolished half of the barn and rebuilt it to the correct height, as this was more efficient than attempting to replace the foundation while the barn was still there. Currently, we are in the final phases of this project, applying stucco on the walls inside the pool. This was a particularly interesting project to me, as I had never installed a pool inside a building before and I always enjoy an opportunity to do something new and different,” he expresses.  

Dreaming of luxury? 

Throughout his time in the homebuilding industry, Aaron has gained valuable insights into the various aspects of running a construction business. As such, he is well-positioned to tell us of the importance of maintaining positive relationships with other industry specialists and subcontractors. “Fostering strong relationships with the people we work with is one of the most critical aspects of this job. When everything runs smoothly and every party involved in a project achieves their financial targets, everyone is happy. However, should unexpected challenges arise, such as someone falling ill or a finish not turning out as planned, it is these industry relationships that will help resolve problems. For example, if a professional’s work has been damaged by someone else and they need to return to site and fix it, they may not charge for the repair, because of the mutual respect and rapport built over time. By cultivating these collaborative relationships, where everyone knows you have their back and they have yours, we create a foundation that truly makes this work successful,” he reveals. 

With a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, Rapp blends attention to detail with enduring industry relationships to redefine luxury living in the Hudson Valley. If you are dreaming of a luxury retreat in Upstate New York, the Rapp team would be delighted to assist you in making that dream home a reality. Rapp’s work and contact information can be found on its website   

www.rappcm.com