Friends of Build Magazine

Perfecting the Home Building Process with Nick Radick, of Knauf-Koenig Group

Episode Summary

Today Ted speaks with Nick Radick, Director of Marketing at Knauf-Koenig Group, an award-winning, full-service construction and remodeling company founded by Matt and Gisela Knauf and based in Naples, Florida.

Episode Notes

A Youngstown Ohio native, Nick found himself in Naples after being offered an opportunity by WCI Communities to work in their marketing department. After a successful career with WCI, Nick went on to manage a valet parking company for eight years before being approached by Knauf-Koenig.

Listen in as Nick talks about his approach to communicating with both clients and trade partners to ensure harmony throughout the lifespan of a given project, as well as how to navigate pushback from clients.

He also gives his thoughts on the evolution of the home building industry and the growing appreciation for the trades in general since his foray into construction. He speaks highly of the power of having a team mentality on every single project. That emphasis on the team, coupled with a commitment to building trust with clients, has set Knauf-Koenig apart from its competitors.

Topics Discussed:

[06:33] Nick’s journey with Knauf-Koenig so far
[12:23] A growing appreciation for the trades
[14:16] The company’s culture, made up of men and women between 30-45
[21:19] What Nick has learned from his clients
[32:56] How trends have changed over the last several years
[39:20] Embodying the team mentality
[42:03] Aligning your vision as a homebuilder with your client’s vision
[45:35] Learning from failure
[51:58] Heading a project on which a previous home builder had just been fired from
[58:24] Instilling good values in the next generation

Connect with Knauf-Koenig Group:

Website - https://kkgbuild.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kkgbuild/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kkgbuild
Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/knauf-koenig-group-pfvwus-pf~1703828261?

Connect with Build Magazine:

Key Quotes by Nick Radick:

You can be very successful if you have a work ethic. If you work and you bust your ass, more often than not, you’re going to be successful in life. It’s not some crazy formula you need to come up with.
I don’t get paid to come in second. You either get the contract or you don’t.
Anytime you’re building a home or doing anything with multiple people involved, you have to have that team mentality: “It’s not my project. It’s our project.”
Trust and teamwork: They will get us to the finish line every time.