Rooted in Craft, Built for The Lowcountry

Situated on Johns Island, South Carolina,  where the Lowcountry’s natural beauty inspires thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship, R.M. Buck Builders has steadily built a reputation for custom homes that reflect the unique lifestyles of their owners. Bob Buck founded the company in the ‘70s, combining generational skills with modern construction methods to create homes that stand the test of time and the region’s challenging climate.

Roots in Craftsmanship and Family Legacy

Ryan Buck, son of Bob Buck and owner and president of R.M. Buck Builders, traces his family’s origins back to the Northeast, where his grandfather worked as a horse logger in the Vermont–New Hampshire area. “That’s where they used horses instead of heavy machinery to haul logs and trees out of the woods,” shares Buck. As a young man, he helped his father but wasn’t drawn to the work, given its physical demands. His grandfather told him that if he didn’t want to work as a horse logger, he’d have to take a job with his friend, who was a local builder. He did—and eventually became both a skilled cabinetmaker and a structural framer, a rare combination of trades not often seen in the industry. His father’s craftsmanship led him to create his own construction and custom cabinetry companies, building luxury homes and townhomes in ski resort areas in the Northeast before fate brought the family south.

In 1989, after Hurricane Hugo, Buck decided to visit the Charleston area to see the aftermath for himself. Although he never took on storm repair work, he found that Kiawah Island had escaped significant damage. Captivated by the natural beauty, he chose to make it his home and focus on building there, marking the beginning of R.M. Buck Builders as general contractors.

A Thoughtful Approach to Homebuilding

The company builds luxury homes that blend form, function and each client’s way of life. Buck explains the collaborative process with Chief Architect Marc Camens of Camens Architectural Group. Camens begins the design process by working closely with clients, creating plans that align precisely with their needs and lifestyle. “We work with Marc early on to help clients with budget and desires,” Buck shares, “essentially guiding them on budgeting throughout the design phase so that “when it’s time to start building, it’s ready to go.”

The company’s long-standing partnership with Camens—over 50 projects to date—has fostered a unique builder-architect relationship rarely seen in the industry. This synergy ensures designs are not only beautiful but also practical to construct within client budgets.

Spotlight on The Settlement Residence

A recent project that exemplifies the company’s craftsmanship is a 5,500-square-foot custom home in The Settlement, a neighborhood within the River Course area of Kiawah Island. Designed to complement the homeowners’ active lifestyle, the residence showcases a blend of thoughtful layout and Lowcountry elegance.

“Outdoor living has become a huge part of the Lowcountry lifestyle,” Buck notes. The home includes a screened porch that functions as an outdoor living room, seamlessly blending indoor comfort with open-air living. The property also includes a spacious pool, an expansive pool deck, and a grill area designed for seamless entertaining.

Inside, the layout features two dedicated offices—one for each homeowner—reflecting the growing demand for functional and private workspaces. “That was a priority for them, to have their own workspace,” adds Buck.

A standout architectural element is the vaulted great room, a signature of Camens’ designs. Buck describes it as a “statement piece” with “beautiful beam work and tall ceilings.” However, the grand scale posed technical challenges—particularly in figuring out how to effectively manage air conditioning within such a spacious volume. “It’s always a puzzle, but it came together beautifully,” he said.

Crafting Cabinets In-House: A Distinctive Feature

A highlight of the interior is a striking, tailor-made wine room crafted, like all the cabinetry in the home, by R.M. Buck Builders’ in-house cabinet team. “One of the special aspects of our company is that we have our own custom cabinet shop,” Buck explains. From wine racks to kitchen, bathroom and built-in storage, every piece was made internally, ensuring quality, consistency and a cohesive design throughout.

This approach allows for precise, project-specific customization and full control over craftsmanship. “The shop is really sized properly to handle our workload from a construction standpoint,” Buck adds. Because they build exclusively for their own projects, the team can focus on specialty pieces like custom bathroom cabinets that elevate each home.

Managing the Lowcountry’s Unique Building Challenges

Building in Charleston and Kiawah poses unique constraints due to the climate. Salt air, humidity and temperature fluctuations demand meticulous planning and durable construction methods. Buck emphasizes that Charleston’s environment is particularly harsh, necessitating careful attention throughout the building process. To meet these demands, the company consistently partners with specialized professionals, including a mechanical engineer and a building envelope specialist, to ensure every home is constructed to endure local conditions.

These experts help guarantee homes perform well against the elements, improving longevity and comfort. “We take it to the next level, in that regard, because Mother Nature is tough, and we want to build these homes to last a very long time,” says Buck. “We have a good team of people who help us engineer every home and work with us throughout the construction process to ensure that the home will perform at a very high level.”

Property Management: Going Beyond Construction

R.M. Buck Builders also runs a full-service property management division, developed in response to client demand. After construction wraps up, many homeowners want ongoing weekly support while their homes are unoccupied. Today, the team provides regular inspections, maintenance and comprehensive care to keep properties in excellent condition year-round.

The service is especially valuable for second homeowners and vacation properties, which make up a large portion of their projects. Buck says that even clients who live in their homes full-time don’t want to deal with plumbing, electrical issues or major painting projects, and count on his team to handle it all. “They've worked with us. They trust us. So, they have us service their homes,” says Buck.

Dedication to Quality

R.M. Buck Builders primarily serves homeowners on Johns Island, Kiawah, and the surrounding Lowcountry areas. Their clients range from retirees to young families relocating or investing in vacation homes. Their popularity stems from a blend of experience, attention to detail and personalized service.

Buck attributes their success to deep local knowledge and hands-on management. “We’re not building cookie-cutter homes. Each project is unique, and we work closely with clients from start to finish.” He adds, “Our background in cabinetry and construction gives us an edge in delivering cohesive, high-quality homes.”

A Forward-Looking Builder Rooted in Tradition

Rather than take a conventional route, Buck focused on real-world experience early on. After earning a construction management degree locally, he chose to join the family business rather than take a traditional four-year college route. “I grew up in the business…. I just figured I could get right to it, and I'm glad I did.”

Today, R.M. Buck Builders balances tradition with modern building science, ensuring every home stands up to the Lowcountry’s unique conditions while reflecting the client’s vision. The company’s work, like the residence in The Settlement, is a testament to their commitment to excellence. Visit rmbuckbuilders.com