Meet Rhett Wilborn – Founder & President

Rhett Wilborn didn’t just choose construction—he was born into it. At age three, his father launched Rainyday Gutter Company from scratch while working as a baggage handler at O’Hare Airport, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit and blue-collar work ethic that would define Rhett’s entire career. Nearly four decades later, that foundation has grown into Innovative Home Concepts, McHenry County’s most trusted name in exterior remodeling. From working as a teenage laborer to leading a family enterprise that’s served over 5,000 homeowners, Rhett has built his reputation on two unwavering principles learned from his father: do the job right the only way, and your word is the most important thing you have.

Professional Profile

• Role: Owner & Founder, Innovative Home Concepts
• Industry Experience: Since 1987 (2nd Generation Contractor)
• Location: Crystal Lake & McHenry County, Illinois
• Customers Served: 5,000+ homeowners
• Key Credentials: Andersen Premiere Contractor (Only one in McHenry County), James Hardie Preferred Contractor, Top Andersen Window Dealer in McHenry County
• Recognition: Remodeler Big 50 (2018), Best of the Fox Winner for Best Remodeler and Best Roofer (10 of last 15 years)
• Education: Crystal Lake South High School (1989), University of Iowa (1993)
• Specialties: Exterior Remodeling, Siding Installation, Window Replacement, Roofing, Insurance Restoration
• Real Estate Portfolio: 15+ rehabilitated investment properties

Career Timeline: Four Decades of Expertise

• 1974: Father founds Rainyday Gutter Company while working as United Airlines baggage handler at O’Hare Airport
• Late 1980s: Rhett begins working as laborer in family construction business, learning from the ground up
• 1989: Graduates Crystal Lake South High School; advances to crew leader role, handling sales at night and running operations during father’s travels
• 1993: Graduates University of Iowa; commits full-time to construction industry
• 2000: Father sells Rainyday Gutter Company; Rhett stays through transition period
• 2002: Gains additional industry experience with multiple home improvement companies
• 2005: Founds GutterShutter Chicago, which quickly evolves into Innovative Home Concepts due to customer demand for comprehensive exterior remodeling
• 2008: Expands services to include Insurance Restoration division
• 2009-2020: Successfully navigates Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic by prioritizing team loyalty and customer service
• 2016: Brother Toby Wilborn joins company to lead Insurance Restoration division
• 2018: Named to prestigious Remodeler Big 50
• 2010s-Present: Earns Best of the Fox awards approximately 10 times over 15-year period
• Present: Leads family-operated business serving McHenry County as top-rated exterior remodeling contractor

Philosophy & Approach

Rhett learned two fundamental principles working alongside his father: do the job right the only way, and your word is the most important thing you have. These values drive every decision at Innovative Home Concepts. The company invests in premium labor to attract the best craftsmen and exclusively offers top-of-the-line products including James Hardie fiber cement siding, LP SmartSide, Andersen windows and doors, and quality vinyl options.

What motivates Rhett after nearly 40 years in construction? The dramatic transformations. Whether rehabilitating investment properties or installing new siding and windows on a family home, he lives for the before-and-afters. His proudest personal project is the dream home he shares with Courtney and their family in McHenry—a property with severe water damage that underwent a complete four-month interior renovation, demonstrating that his standards for his own family match those he holds for every customer.

When the Great Recession and COVID-19 threatened the business, Rhett and Courtney made a defining commitment: they would protect their team no matter what. That loyalty created a culture that has propelled Innovative through every challenge stronger than before.

Family & Team

Innovative Home Concepts operates as a true family business:

• Courtney (Partner & General Manager): Manages daily operations, oversees company administration, and handles marketing/accounting for Foxhole Pizza & Pub
• Skyler Wilborn (26, Son): Sales & Marketing, Innovative Home Concepts; Part-owner, Foxhole Pizza & Pub
• Ryleigh Wilborn (23, Daughter): Production Manager, Innovative Home Concepts; Part-owner, Foxhole Pizza & Pub
• Toby Wilborn (Brother): Director of Insurance Restoration Division (joined 2016)
• Aiden Wilborn (20, Son): Chef, Foxhole Pizza & Pub
• Albe (13) & Olive (7): Featured in company marketing and social media

Community & Professional Connections

• Chamber Memberships: Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, McHenry Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce
• Professional Associations: Heartland Realtor Group
• Local Business: Co-owner, Foxhole Pizza & Pub, McHenry, Illinois
• Community Involvement: Youth football coach, local family supporter
• Service Area: Crystal Lake, McHenry, and all of McHenry County, Illinois

Living and working in the same community where he grew up means reputation isn’t just business for Rhett—it’s personal. When he’s not transforming homes, you’ll find him boating on the Chain of Lakes, coaching his son in football, or spending time with family and friends at Foxhole.

For Rhett, the greatest reward isn’t the awards or growth—it’s seeing his children work alongside him, carrying forward the same values his father instilled decades ago. Integrity, craftsmanship, and treating people right. That’s the Innovative difference.