Page 47 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

How and why did Kenick start? What
were those early days like as a new
business?
Kenick began in 2009 after a chance
meeting with a developer who was
looking for a second builder to build new
homes in their estate. Having been a
carpenter for so many years and focusing
on only my specific areas of the build, it
was really interesting to be involved in all
aspects of a home. Luckily, this learning
curve was made easier by my support
network of very experienced trades, and
office staff. I really enjoyed being a part
of the process from the beginning to
completion, and dealing more directly
with clients, many of whom have built
multiple homes with us over the years. I
still get a buzz out of handing over the
keys to a client at the end of the build,
and I love working with clients through
the building journey to ensure we hit
their brief and stick to their budget. A Kenick built home
We had a great kick-start working with
the developer before we had to go out and Basically, we love a challenge and clients
find our own clients. I had been working who like to take on a project that it is a bit
with Rachel who worked for the At Kenick, we are different too.
developer, and as their land came to end, committed to a What is unique about the way Kenick
Rachel joined Kenick, and along with our does business? Why would someone
designer at the time (Green at Heart), high-quality product looking to build a home choose Kenick?
Kenick found its feet firmly in the realm and we don’t cut At Kenick, we are committed to a
of sustainable tropical housing, which we corners. high-quality product and we don’t cut
were all passionate about as the best way corners. Clients who want cheapest price
to build in the tropics. Kent Hams and are not too concerned about saving
Tell us about the team behind Kenick - money year after year, or who are not
what type of background and experience see now. She is also a GreenSmart interested in strong resale values or the
do the individuals in the team have? professional and has won the national reputation of their builder, well, they are
I have been a carpenter for over 30 years, title of GreenSmart professional of the not our client. Whether a first home
and apart from short breaks doing a few year twice. I am also a GreenSmart owner, investor, family or retiree, all of
other jobs in my 20’s, I have always been professional and as current chairman of our clients appreciate our attention to
in the construction industry in Cairns. I the local branch of the HIA, I am a strong detail, our honest and personal approach,
have had my own carpentry business and advocate of improving our industry. along with how we treat them along the
trained many apprentice carpenters over Between us, we look after clients through way, which is with respect,
the years, many of whom I still work with each step of the building journey, and professionalism, and a bit of fun thrown
to this day. We have put up thousands of whilst we are still learning every day, we in! We love sharing their excitement at
roofs and wall frames all over Cairns. offer clients decades of experience, as what we see as the really cool experience
Rachel is a qualified building surveyor well as professionalism and flair that can of designing and building a new home.
from the UK and has specialised in be hard to find these days. Many of our clients return to build again,
innovation in housing for nearly 30 years, We also have expertise in building on and a lot of our work is from
both in the UK and Australia. A lot of the sloping blocks, developing inner city land word-of-mouth recommendations which
things we are only just starting to look at for new homes, duplexes, accessible we are always very appreciative and
here, Rachel is already very well-versed (lifetime) homes, ‘granny’ flats, the grateful for.
in. Over in Europe, they are quite National Disability Insurance Scheme
advanced in terms of some of the (NDIS) as well as sustainable homes, MORE: kenickconstructions.com.au
innovations we are only just starting to which is what we are best known for.