Knowing what you want to do when you grow up is not always an easy thing to figure out. As a child grows into an adult, feelings and interests change often.
Robert Rice, on the other hand, says he has known what he has wanted to do since the 7th grade. As he entered the technology class, he soon realized how much he enjoyed working construction. In high school, he studied at BOCES and continued to hone his craft.
“For as long as I remember I have known what I wanted to do. Construction has been a part of everything I have done so far,” Rice said.
Rice has lived in the Chenango County area since age five and was adopted by Mark and Sandy Rice who had resided in Norwich. He says he would watch his father do work around the house and by sharing his interest in remodeling, his father got him started in what would turn out to be his life’s work.
Rice graduated high school and joined the Army. Stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana, he was a construction engineer and remained in active duty for four years. He says, thankfully, he was always stationed stateside and by doing so he learned about the trade of construction and remodeling.
After completing his military duty, Rice would stay in the Army Reserve for the following 15 years. He attended college after coming home from active duty and as always, included his love for the construction trade into his studies.
Rice attended SUNY Delhi for two years for construction and masonry. During school Rice was holding down another job as well and it was then when he met his now-wife of 11 years, Terri. Bob and Terri now reside on the outskirts of Oxford and raise their daughter, Britni.
Throughout his adulthood, Bob has always worked in jobs which were outside, with his hands and physically challenging to some extent. He has worked with local construction crews in a variety of fields, but always had the inclination to own his own business.
“I have always wanted to own my own business but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to go for it,” said Rice, “I have only been officially open for nine months and I am already making a name for myself.”
Rice says most of his business comes from word of mouth. He didn’t have much more than his tools when he decided to open his business in February, but he says he had the idea and possibility and “that’s all I needed.”
After only nine months, Bob has gotten fully insured, licensed and Rice Construction was fully functional. Terri says her husband takes great pride in what he has done and what he does on every job he takes on. He has done kitchen remodeling, roofing, additions and more and specializes in siding, decks, drywall insulation and other remodeling or constructing work.
Rice says he wishes to expand his business and says it is going as well as he originally thought it would. He has included the art of construction into all aspects of his life and says he couldn’t imagine doing anything different. He says he enjoys working hard and being with his family.
“Owning your own business takes a lot of hard work, but if it’s something you really enjoy doing, than it is worth it in the long run,” Rice said. For more information on Rice Construction call 843-2455 or 226-3730 or e-mail Bob at robertrice@frontiernet.net.