Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners Trex Timbe Rock Solid Builders DECKS PERGOLAS SCREEN ROOMS OUTDOOR KITCHENS AWNINGS ROCK SOLID BUILDERS ransforming homes for almost 20 T "Northern Illinois' climate is very hard on years, the team at Rock Solid Builders is exterior wood with the extreme heat and a pillar of the McHenry community. Rock Solid Builders helps families transform their outdoor space with decks, screen rooms, pergolas, retractable awnings and outdoor kitchens. Business partners Anna Kaufmann and Butch Wuchter launched Rock Solid Builders in 2006 remodeling multi-family residential units in Chicago. When the housing crisis took hold in 2007, they saw an opportunity to pivot and fill the need for outdoor designs and decks in McHenry County by focusing on long-lasting composite decking products, which were new to the building trades at the time. They specialize in composite wood structures. Kaufmann explains composite offers a maintenance-free option that can hold up against the harsh Midwest climate. Rock Solid Builders works with Trex and TimberTech, the leading brands in composite and PVC decking. Kaufmann said some of their deck materials come with stain and fade resistance warranties that can last 25 to 50 years and the PVC decking includes lifetime warranties. extreme cold temperatures," Kaufmann explained, adding that with rain and snow, the wood in outdoor structures can expand and contract causing wood to deteriorate at a faster pace than in milder climates. Wuchter visits with clients to review ideas, take measurements and design an outdoor solution to fit each client's budget. Rock Solid Builders services throughout McHenry County, Lake County and into southern Wisconsin. "We work on a lot of lake and vacation homes in southern Wisconsin, and along the Chain O'Lakes," Kaufmann said. The partners started the company working from home and then found a small office space where they operated for more than 10 years. Two years ago, they built a custom free-standing office with large indoor and outdoor showrooms at their current location in McHenry where clients can see and touch materials and space for its expanded operations. "It's the largest deck showroom in the Chicagoland area," Kaufmann said. The business has grown through the years, expanding services and designs. Rock Solid Builders now operates with four crews and full-time office staff. At Rock Solid Builders the carpenters are employees, not sub-contractors, allowing the business to maintain quality control and build a strong internal team. Rock Solid Builders has earned a Best of the Fox award for the last 16 years, an honor that comes from its service to clients and the greater community. Kaufmann said her crews donated multiple days to help with construction of the McHenry Riverwalk's Tiny Shops, the incubator retail space along the Fox River in downtown McHenry. Each year the company helps to support projects in the community, sponsoring events and activities. Rock Solid Builders is a long- time member of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce. "We try to give back to the community that has supported us for the last 20 years," Kaufmann said. "The area is growing and becoming a destination. We are proud to be a locally owned business in the City of McHenry." Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners Trex Timbe Rock Solid Builders DECKS PERGOLAS SCREEN ROOMS OUTDOOR KITCHENS AWNINGS ROCK SOLID BUILDERS ransforming homes for almost 20 T " Northern Illinois ' climate is very hard on years , the team at Rock Solid Builders is exterior wood with the extreme heat and a pillar of the McHenry community . Rock Solid Builders helps families transform their outdoor space with decks , screen rooms , pergolas , retractable awnings and outdoor kitchens . Business partners Anna Kaufmann and Butch Wuchter launched Rock Solid Builders in 2006 remodeling multi - family residential units in Chicago . When the housing crisis took hold in 2007 , they saw an opportunity to pivot and fill the need for outdoor designs and decks in McHenry County by focusing on long - lasting composite decking products , which were new to the building trades at the time . They specialize in composite wood structures . Kaufmann explains composite offers a maintenance - free option that can hold up against the harsh Midwest climate . Rock Solid Builders works with Trex and TimberTech , the leading brands in composite and PVC decking . Kaufmann said some of their deck materials come with stain and fade resistance warranties that can last 25 to 50 years and the PVC decking includes lifetime warranties . extreme cold temperatures , " Kaufmann explained , adding that with rain and snow , the wood in outdoor structures can expand and contract causing wood to deteriorate at a faster pace than in milder climates . Wuchter visits with clients to review ideas , take measurements and design an outdoor solution to fit each client's budget . Rock Solid Builders services throughout McHenry County , Lake County and into southern Wisconsin . " We work on a lot of lake and vacation homes in southern Wisconsin , and along the Chain O'Lakes , " Kaufmann said . The partners started the company working from home and then found a small office space where they operated for more than 10 years . Two years ago , they built a custom free - standing office with large indoor and outdoor showrooms at their current location in McHenry where clients can see and touch materials and space for its expanded operations . " It's the largest deck showroom in the Chicagoland area , " Kaufmann said . The business has grown through the years , expanding services and designs . Rock Solid Builders now operates with four crews and full - time office staff . At Rock Solid Builders the carpenters are employees , not sub - contractors , allowing the business to maintain quality control and build a strong internal team . Rock Solid Builders has earned a Best of the Fox award for the last 16 years , an honor that comes from its service to clients and the greater community . Kaufmann said her crews donated multiple days to help with construction of the McHenry Riverwalk's Tiny Shops , the incubator retail space along the Fox River in downtown McHenry . Each year the company helps to support projects in the community , sponsoring events and activities . Rock Solid Builders is a long- time member of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce . " We try to give back to the community that has supported us for the last 20 years , " Kaufmann said . " The area is growing and becoming a destination . We are proud to be a locally owned business in the City of McHenry . "