Friends of Build Magazine

Kevin Lowney of Lowney Contracting in Hawaii

Episode Summary

Today Ted speaks with Kevin Lowney of Lowney Contracting. Since 2002, Lowney’s portfolio has grown to include custom homes and resorts in Hawaii, commercial and industrial projects, and, most recently, builds in Sedona, Arizona.

Episode Notes

The firm typically self-performs the majority of the work on its projects, allowing for flexibility, control, and direct cost.

Listen in as Kevin shares how he came to set up shop in both Arizona and Hawaii, and the differences in the home building process between the two states.

He speaks in particular on the unique logistical considerations around running a construction company on the Big Island, and the projects that he is excited to be working on in the near future.

Topics Discussed:

[05:19] Kevin’s background and his decision to move to the Big Island
[08:50] Why Kevin decided to come to Sedona
[12:55] How Kevin came to start his own firm
[16:55] Differences in the home building process in Sedona and Big Island
[25:21] Managing client expectations and turning ambitious ideas into reality
[29:28] How long it takes to build the “typical” Lowney home in Hawaii
[33:05] Dealing with higher prices and procurement challenges when building in Hawaii
[36:36] Projects that Kevin is excited about right now
[42:23] Permitting challenges in Sedona versus Big Island
[43:52] The defining moment when Kevin realized business was going strong

Connect with Lowney Contracting:

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Key Quotes from Episode:

The clients are all different—different personalities. You have to try to figure out how to interact and communicate with them. Some of them want less information because they’re really busy. With others, you really have to communicate with them otherwise they start getting nervous and they think everything’s gone amuck when, really, it’s quiet because it’s just running on schedule and going the way it’s supposed to go.