Koch Homes News

Windsor - Just Released for Sale on the Broadneck Peninsula

Annapolis, MD - 05/03/2011 07:00 PM

6 models to choose from read more

Third Generation Joins Koch Homes

Annapolis, Maryland - 03/24/2011 01:32 AM

By Darrell Mak
Koch Homes, a well-known and well-respected name in the residential and commercial construction industry, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. During that time, the company has built an enviable reputation by focusing on two key principles.

“I learned from my father that quality and service are everything,” said Gary Koch, president of Koch Homes. “We have earned a good reputation by adhering to those principles.”

Koch Homes’ origin began in 1951, when Ross Koch founded the Bucher and Koch Realty Company, Inc. The young company started out developing smaller residential communities in Pasadena, constructing several custom homes per year between 1954 and 1977, most notably the North Shore on the Magothy community.

In 1977 after graduating with an MBA Degree from the University of Michigan, Gary Koch joined his father and led the formation of Koch Associates, Inc., which he expanded into a larger residential development and construction company, as well as commercial property development. Koch Associates was later renamed Koch Homes.

Today, Koch Homes’ projects consist of roughly 80 percent residential and 20 percent commercial developments, concentrating primarily on single-family detached homes. Koch said the company plans to continue to focus on residential development, but may expand the commercial side as opportunities present themselves.

About a year ago, Koch Homes celebrated another milestone as Koch’s nephew Bo joined the company to start a new endeavor, Koch Construction. Like its predecessor companies, Koch Construction will start with smaller residential developments.
“His first project just broke ground in Odenton, a residential five-lot development,” noted Gary Koch, adding Koch Construction also will focus on constructing single-family homes.

Koch and his father will teach Bo the ropes of the business, just as Koch himself learned the ins and outs of the construction trade from his father over 30 years ago. Koch Homes will continue to be led by Gary Koch.

“I have no intention of retiring anytime soon,” he confirmed.

Quality, attention to detail, fine craftsmanship, and award-winning community development have all been hallmarks of Koch Homes’ success over the years. The company has won more industry awards than any other builder in Anne Arundel County. Koch Homes has been recognized by the Home Builders Association of Maryland with 14 prestigious awards in the past including "Project of the Year" for its Farmington Village community, a 450-unit residential development in Pasadena.

Since its inception, the Koch companies have successfully developed over 60 communities comprising of over 3,000 lots, with another 1,500 lots currently in subdivision or development satges.

On the commercial front, Koch has built 11 buildings and retail centers in Maryland. Some of the more prominent projects Koch has participated in included Quarterfield Crossing - a 110-acre power center in Severn - and the Village Greens of Annapolis on Forest Drive.

“We are truly Anne Arundel County-based, and it will continue to be our main focus,” noted Koch.

Another testament to Koch Homes’ solid history lies in its staff. “We have a lot of long-term, loyal employees, who have been major contributors to our success,” said Koch, who concluded, “The entire team is taught to emphasize quality, and as such we’ve earned a great reputation.”

Penderbrooke – Sales Center Opens!

Crownsville, Maryland - 02/26/2011 07:00 PM

Grand Opening of the Penderbrooke Sales Center. Read more

Koch Homes – BRAC / Military Web Site!

Ft Meade, Maryland - 02/16/2011 07:00 PM

Koch Homes introduces our BRAC / Military web site Read More

Five Buoys at Rock Creek – Model Home Under Construction!

Pasadena, Maryland - 02/15/2011 07:00 PM

The "Dayton" model home under construction on Lot 1. Read More

Bridgewater at Carvel Beach – Model Home Opens!

Carvel Beach, Maryland - 01/01/2011 07:00 PM

Grand Opening of the "McHenry" model. Read more

Broadneck High School Wing Open!

Annapolis, Maryland - 12/23/2010 07:00 PM

Broadneck High School this week unveiled an eight-classroom addition, a project paid for by a developer planning to build homes near the over-capacity school.

The new wing was completed more than six months ahead of schedule and came in under the $2 million pledged for the expansion, officials said. Read More

Koch Homes Honored with Keystone Award

Pasadena, Maryland - 09/01/2007 07:00 PM

Press Release – September 2007 – Residential Warranty Company, LLC

Proudly presents The Keystone Award to Koch Homes

A keystone is a building term that indicates a solid component upon which something can be built. That keystone is important to the stability of the entire structure. If the keystone fails, the building will surely crumble.

The keystone to any successful business is a solid foundation of loyal clients. For Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC), the nations premier warranty provider, that means a core of high quality reputable builders who make a stellar reputation their hallmark. Choosing to deal only with builders that demonstrate technical competence, professional building ethics and financial stability, RWC strives to associate with the cream of the crop in the housing industry.

Rising to the top is Koch Homes and RWC is very proud to present them with the prestigious Keystone Award, a symbol of appreciation for a job well done! Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, Koch Homes has earned the Keystone Award due to a number of factors such as overall customer satisfaction, number of homes enrolled in the program, longevity as a member and screening stability.

Since becoming a member in the RWC warranty program, Koch Homes has enrolled over 499 homes in our warranty program and has now become one of the select few to have the Keystone Award bestowed upon them. Koch Homes has been a major force in the housing industry. For the last two decades, RWC has dealt with literally thousands of home builders and has issued warranties on over two million homes across the country.

Keeping Seniors Independent, Builders Partner with Nonprofit Partners In Care

Annapolis, Maryland - 12/24/2006 07:00 PM

Keeping Seniors Independent – The Capital Newspaper – December 24, 2006

The Capital Newspaper

December 24, 2006

By Katie Arcieri, Staff Writer

Keeping Seniors Independent

Builders partner with nonprofit Partners In Care Adele Brown no longer goes upstairs. The 84-year-old Annapolis resident has suffered two bad falls, leaving her practically homebound. But thanks to the Severna Park-based nonprofit Partners In Care, she can safely get in and out of the house on a wheelchair.

The nonprofit worked with some of the county’s most prolific developers – Koch Homesand Reliable Contracting Co. – to build a nearly 25-foot wheelchair ramp on the back of Ms. Brown’s Carrollton Avenue home. Completed this summer, the project cost about $10,000. Ms. Brown’s wheelchair ramp is perhaps the best example of the organization’s “Repairs with Care” program. Builders and developers basically donate labor hours or money for at least one repair project a year. Partners In Care pays for materials and then works out a payment plan with homeowners who receive the help. The program has helped seniors and disabled residents stay independent in their homes since 1997.

While many past projects have been smaller, Partners In Care has been able to take on much larger jobs like Ms. Brown’s ramp thanks to a $50,000 grant from Arundel Community Development Services, the county’s housing and community development arm. “It’s just going to enable us to conquer some of the requests from seniors, and we have a whole lot of requests,” said Linda Dennis, member care manager. “Many seniors aren’t able to pay. We’re just trying in anyway we can to get the job done.” The grant is paying for building materials to install things like new railings, indoor ramps and walk-in showers. The funds also have enabled Partners In Care to hire a manager for the program, Michael Helta, who began in September.

Repairs with Care’s most active partner, Koch Homes, donated about 100 labor hours to Ms. Brown’s wheelchair ramp. A private contractor would probably charge between $40 and $50 per hour for that work, or as much as $5,000, said Wayne Harris, project manager for the Annapolis-based Koch Homes, which pulled a building permit for Ms. Brown’s ramp and performed construction. But Mr. Harris said the ramp is just one way Koch Homes gives back to the community. “It gives us a feeling of satisfaction that we’ve helped someone out,” he said.

A Koch Homes subcontractor, R&F Metals of Clinton, Md., installed the ramp’s iron hand railing, which usually costs $2,500. R&F Metals sold the railing to Partners In Care for about half that price. Sturbridge Homes is a Gambrills-based home builder developing the GrandView luxury condos at the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole complex. Another major partner of the Repairs With Care program, the company built an outside ramp late last year for a wheelchair-bound woman living on Garden Gate Lane. Working with subcontractors and an architect, Sturbridge donated about 100 hours toward the project, said Michael DeStefano, company president. The company has plenty of commitments, but contributing to the community is key.

“Our charitable contributions are just huge,” Mr. DeStefano said. “That’s just part of what being a good company is.” John Kortecamp, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, said charitable activity is very common among the organization’s 1,200 members, which include builders, suppliers, contractors and professional services companies. “They’re nice people,” he said. “They do it because they’ve been asked to help and they have the experience and the resources available to them. They’re part of the community.” Building a way. Starting out in 1997 with a $17,500 United Way grant, the Repairs With Care program has a network of about 15 organizations and companies helping with repair projects, Mr. Helta said.

By year’s end, program officials and companies will have completed between 250 and 300 repair jobs around Anne Arundel County. These jobs include “honey-do” tasks such as changing lights, fixing leaky faucets and replacing front doors – projects with an emphasis on safety and independence. Started in 1993 by Barbara Huston, Sandra Jackson and Maureen Cavaiola, Partners In Care was designed to help seniors and disabled residents remain independent in their homes by helping with grocery shopping, transp ortation and other needs. Partners In Care provided 2,400 rides last year, Mr. Helta said. The organization has grown significantly, now with 2,200 members, up from 25 members in 1993. Members can be a recipient of services at any time. In return for services, members can give back by donating cash, clothes or using their talents.

For example, an elderly woman can “exchange” the time she spent crocheting a blanket for the Partners In Care boutique – a fundraising arm of the group – to receive services from the organization, such as transportation, repair work or a trip to the grocery store. “We try to be as diverse as possible so that somebody can give back,” Mr. Helta said. The hope is to expand the Repairs With Care program in to Frederick County, where the organization plans to open a satellite office next month.

In the meantime, Partners In Care is working to expand its repair network with builders, electricians, plumbers and roofers, Mr. Helta said. “There’s a lot of need out there for these types of jobs,” he said. Ms. Brown said she was grateful for the wheelchair ramp. “When I feel I’m not a burden on someone else, it makes me feel better,” Ms. Brown said. “And it’s beautiful.”

Developer Donates New Concession Stand

Annapolis, Maryland - 11/24/2003 07:00 PM

Developer Donates New Concession Stand - The Capital Newspaper – November 24, 2003

The Capital Newspaper

November 24, 2003

By Theresa Chaffer, For The Capital

Developer Donates New Concession Stand

For 29 years, the Arundel High School Boosters have struggled to cope with the shortcomings of a cramped, worn-out concession stand. Volunteers and their helpers have carried water for washing up, put up with flickering lights and trekked outside to portable toilets. That will all come to an end by next fall, when Koch Homes of Annapolis builds a 2,000 square foot building to house a modern concession stand and restrooms. Bernie Walter, longtime athletic director at the school in Gambrills, calls the $80,000 gift “a miracle.”

This is something the boosters have worked for a long time and have not been able to do,” he said. Annapolis-based Koch Homes is developing Two Rivers, 1,900 homes for seniors that are planned in an area bordering Patuxent Road, west of Crofton. The company is one of the most active home builders in the county. As part of an effort to build community support for the project, company president Gary Koch asked Greater Crofton Council if there was anything the community needed.

Council President Torrey Jacobsen responded with a resounding yes. From those negotiations arose the idea of replacing the crumbling concession stand at the

high school. The brick and concrete structure will be built by Koch Homes. The school board has promised to foot the bill for installation of water and sewer lines to the building and to hook up the electrical systems. In an arrangement similar to other high schools that desperately needed improvements to their athletic fields, the board has already set aside a budget of $200,000 to make the concession area fully operational. Once the new facility is complete, the boosters hope to build more bleachers for spectators and relocate the entrance to the field, moving it closer to the new concession stand. John Puglise, president of the Boosters Club, and his wife Kathy have spent a lot of time in the aging building. They are there for every game, elbow to elbow with the 10 or so volunteers who man concessions for home games. Three hasn’t been a night this year when the electric didn’t go out,” said Mrs. Puglise. “It takes a lot of power to run the microwaves, stove, fryers, refrigerators and warmers. It just wasn’t built for that.”

Having a new building will be a godsend, Mrs. Puglisi said, loudly echoed by her husband. “It was like Christmas coming early when we got the news,” he said.

The old structure will remain, to be used for storage and additional sales. “It won’t be wasted,” said Mr. Jacobsen.