Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Drouin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I didn’t start off in construction or firefighting. I actually went to school for recording arts and ran an audio production company for a while. It was fun, but by the time I hit 30, I just wasn’t where I wanted to be. So I sold all my gear, closed that chapter, and ended up getting into the fire service.
I’ve been a firefighter for 10 years now, and honestly, I love it. I’m a Driver Operator with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities this job has given me. It changed the way I communicate, the way I handle pressure, and it definitely shaped how I look at homes and safety.
Around the time I started in the fire service, I also launched an apparel company in 2015. We did around $200k in sales worldwide, which was awesome, but without an investor I couldn’t really break through that next ceiling. Eventually I had to choose between continuing to pour money into the business or buying a home and moving forward — so I chose the home.
In 2021, my dad and I completely gutted that house, inside and out. We put around $150k into bringing it back to life. Over the years, I’d worked as a foreman for my father’s GC company doing renovations and additions, so taking on my own home tied everything together. It reminded me that construction has always been in my life, and it pushed me to dive deeper into building science and better materials — especially for South Florida.
That’s what eventually led me to start Rheace Contracting. I wanted to take everything I’ve learned — from past businesses, hands-on construction, and a decade in the fire service — and just build homes the right way. Homes that don’t just look good for photos but actually perform and hold up long-term.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. Nothing I’ve done has been a straight line. When I left the audio world at 30, that was basically a full reset. Starting over at that age, trying to figure out who you are and what direction you want your life to go — that alone came with a lot of uncertainty.
The apparel company was another challenge. We had real traction and real customers, but without an investor I just couldn’t scale it. I poured a lot into it, and eventually I had to walk away. That wasn’t easy.
Getting into the fire service was its own uphill climb — the testing, the waiting lists, the grind — nothing about it is easy. But it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Construction hasn’t been smooth either. Working as a foreman and renovating my own home taught me quickly that something always goes sideways — delays, budgets shifting, trades not showing, hidden issues you don’t find until you open a wall. And now trying to build a company from scratch while working 24-hour shifts at the fire department comes with its own challenges. Time management, trying to build a reputation from zero, earning trust — none of it is simple.
And on top of all that, I now have a 16-month-old and a 3-month-old at home. Anyone with kids knows that alone will test your patience, energy, and time. Balancing family, the fire department, and launching a business has definitely stretched me in every direction.
But every struggle pushed me forward. It forced me to grow, figure out who I am, and get clear on the kind of builder and business owner I want to be. It hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rheace Contracting?
Rheace Contracting is a brand-new, firefighter-owned, second-generation luxury building company officially launching in January — and everything we’re doing is built on a clear, intentional plan. I’ve put countless hours into researching, learning, planning, and building the systems we need to enter the market the right way. Nothing about this is guesswork.
Our mission is to bring a new standard to luxury homes in South Florida — luxury spec and custom homes built with commercial-level engineering, above-code performance, and resort-style living. We’re utilizing systems like Nudura ICF, MST-Bar, steel trusses, and Hunter Panels Cool-Vent roof assemblies to create airtight, hurricane-resistant structures engineered to withstand 200+ mph winds. Long term, our goal is to build homes capable of achieving LEED certifications while pushing toward net-zero performance. This isn’t a “maybe someday” idea — it’s the foundation of our business model from day one.
We operate differently than most builders. Instead of relying on in-house crews, we work with a curated network of South Florida’s most accomplished trade specialists — the craftsmen whose work already defines luxury estates throughout Palm Beach and Martin counties. My role is to orchestrate and manage these experts with the same level of precision I bring to emergency response, ensuring every decision serves the client’s best interests without the conflicts that come with traditional contracting models.
To start, we’re focusing on estate-scale renovations and additions. That’s a strategic move — it allows us to build capital, showcase our standard of work in the most affluent areas of Palm Beach and Martin counties, and refine our processes before bringing our spec and custom homes to market. As we grow, we’ll expand north into St. Lucie and Indian River counties. It’s a steady, intentional path.
What truly sets us apart is simple: we’re merging commercial-grade engineering with luxury residential design and pairing it with the type of white-glove client experience that feels almost foreign in this industry. Homeowners deserve a builder who communicates clearly, protects their best interests, and treats their home like it actually matters — because it does.
The values I’ve gained through over a decade as a firefighter — communication, calm under pressure, integrity, and doing the right thing even when it’s harder — carry directly into how we operate as a company. That mindset is the backbone of our entire brand.
Rheace Contracting may be new, but the vision, standards, and structure behind it are solid. We’re here to raise the bar for luxury construction in South Florida and create high-performance homes built to truly stand the test of time.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my plans for the future are really about building something with longevity. I still have about 18 years left in the fire department, which gives me a clear timeline to grow Rheace Contracting into a stable, respected company — one that I’d be proud to hand down to one of my kids if they ever decide they want to be part of it. The goal is to build a business with real roots, not just a quick run of projects.
As the company grows, I don’t want to become a high-volume operation. I want Rheace Contracting to stay focused on quality over quantity, building 2 to 3 luxury spec or custom homes per year, with a hard cap of 4 or 5 if the projects are the right fit. That keeps the quality as high as possible and allows us to stay hands-on with every client and every detail.
Alongside that, I plan to build out a dedicated renovation department so we can continue taking on estate-scale renovations and additions without losing focus on the custom home side. Renovations were a huge part of my background, and I want that to remain a core offering as we grow.
And who knows — down the road, we may even open a commercial division if the opportunity feels right. With the engineering-focused approach we’re taking, stepping into commercial work in the future wouldn’t be out of the question.
Overall, the future is about building a company with intention — a small, tight-knit team, a high standard of work, and a reputation built on trust, communication, and doing things the right way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rheacecontracting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheacecontracting
Image Credits
Isaac Drouin | Rheace Contracting
