Meet Ralph Kring, master builder, craftsman, and owner of RIK Fine Home Building, LLC. Ralph, who prefers to go by Rick, went to Columbia Greene College and earned his associates degree in Criminal Justice in 1981. He went on to work as a police officer working his way up to Deputy sheriff for the Chatham Police department. He then left the police department and started working for the town of Ghent as a code enforcement officer in order to spend more time with his growing family.

            Rick first realized he had an interest in woodworking as a teenager. To practice and refine his skills; he would work on needed repairs at his parent’s house. Most of his skills were self taught; through trial and error and with some guidance from his father.

            Rick’s first big; (official- with a contract) project was in 1980 constructing barns. He has completed many projects since and can confidently say he is proud of all of them, but the one that he believes is a true testimonial to his work is 449-451 State Street in Hudson, NY. The project took 21 months and helped Rick to gain much notoriety for his exceptional abilities.

            Besides being a businessman, Rick is equally involved in his community. He has dedicated several years to the Ghent VFW color guard and volunteer fire department. He has volunteered for the Toys for Tots drive for several years running, spent time as a modified softball coach, and has made several donations to the local animal shelter and various other toy drives in the Capital Region. Rick is also a certified soccer coach and a black belt in tae kwon doe. 

            Rick resides locally in Ghent, NY. He has two daughters and five grand children who he enjoys spending his weekends with. RIK Fine Home Building currently has a crew of three full time professionals and one part time. They are detailed oriented and committed to hoping every client is left satisfied with the process of their project from start to finish.