EUGENE. HE MAKES US DIFFERENT.
Welcome to our series titled: Why Sun Coast? What makes us different: Part 1
We’re happy to have you along and introduce you to us and how we do things here. Long before you break ground on a new home (or begin a renovation) what do you have to do? Meet the builder!
To understand SunCoast you need a glimpse of its founder, Eugene Gurganus.
If you have yet to meet Eugene I’d place a steep wager you’ve never met the kindest human on the planet. I could just say he’s nice...and he is. But niceness does not equal goodness. He is both. You’ll see what I mean when you meet him :)
This kind, warm man with the patience of Job grew up building houses with his Dad, Cliff Gurganus, when he was just 9-years-old right here on our Crystal Coast. He could have never known way back then that the on-the-job training he was getting would lead him to be one of the best builders in our area. Cliff was not just okay at what he did...he was really good. He didn’t have a tolerance for mistakes and therefore had a knack for perfection. He taught Eugene the why and the how behind what they did and to do it right the first time.
By the time Eugene graduated high school, he could physically build a high-quality house by himself. He could spot the slightest error that even the most experienced would miss. While most of us are concerned with the cosmetic appeal of a home, Eugene is concerned about all of it. He is most concerned about what you don’t see...what is behind the walls and under the foundation, under the shingles, and behind your siding. That is why when you see a Sun Coast house that was built 20 years ago in this hurricane-prone area it still looks amazing.
Sun Coast was formed when Eugene was just 24-years-old. Some think that’s pretty young, but when you’ve been learning and working in a specialized field for 13 years that’s like having a doctorate. To date, he’s built well over 1,000 homes in our small area and has been in business since 1985. His business has survived numerous recessions including The Great Recession leading to a housing crash, countless hurricanes, global pandemics, etc.
Eugene also does something not many builders do. He draws his own house plans. Most of the time you have to at minimum use a draftsman. Most pay big money for an architect to draw their plans. When Eugene draws plans they are stamped by an engineer for approval. He then can price the materials and labor giving you a solid contract price. These are by far the easiest plans to build from as well and that means fewer mistakes!
When Eugene’s only child, David was just nine years old he too went to work with his Dad. This young man is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He has been Sun Coast’s project manager for many years building some of the best homes right alongside his Dad.
Eugene and David are Sun Coast.