Radick Construction builds for clients all over the United States, Canada and Europe.

Radick Construction, a custom home/light-commercial contractor in Big Sky, Mont., says it is committed to being one of the top contractors in its area despite the challenges of building in a mountainous, semi-remote region of southwest Montana.

But one thing that sets the company apart is its 22 years of building knowledge in the area, according to President and founder John Radick.

The company has completed 22 custom homes and 77 condo units since its inception in 1994.

"Getting homes set at appropriate locations is [a challenge]," Radick says. "One noteworthy concern is there are a lot of bentonite clays in the area that cause slope and, therefore, house instability." Bentonite, if saturated with water, creates a very unstable slope, and homes may slide with the slope unless it is mitigated, Radick explains.

He says the company removes the clay and uses alternate base materials, such as pit runs and compaction gravel, which are typically used for road building and structural fill. Because Radick Construction primarily builds for out-of-town clients, one of the biggest challenges is communication.

It created a software system exclusive to Radick Construction that allows clients to participate and be kept current on their projects. Radick Construction launched Pyramid Home Builder software in 2006.

"[We recently completed] our online interactive software that brings an unprecedented line of communication to our out-of-town clientele," Radick states. "This system allows clients to log into a personal and secure area that allows them to view the progress of their project with a monthly builder report and up-to-date pictures of the project, communicate in our feedback area, view plans and detailed sections of the plans, review the flow charts for the project, [see] accounting information, make selections for finishes, and a wish-list in our product spec page that includes all links for vendors to shop online."

Adapting to Challenges
Radick Construction builds for clients all over the United States, Canada and Europe. "Our customers are generally affluent individuals in search of an inspiring retreat from everyday life," Radick says. "[These are] individuals who enjoy the peaceful outdoors - snow, skiing, fishing, playing golf, hiking and biking."

The company is working on Moose Ridge condominiums, a 32-unit subdivision in Big Sky. "We will be combining high-quality materials and craftsmanship in our new Jerry Locati-designed development," Radick says. "We will offer single-unit condos with over 2,700 square feet and our duplex units at over 3,200 square feet of luxury living space. Finishes will include slab kitchen counters, custom-built Alder cabinets, restored post, beam interiors, vaulted interiors and two fireplaces per unit."

Units start at $850,000. Radick Construction is finishing its first five units this summer. Competition in the construction business, however, has more than doubled in the past six years, and the Montana market has slowed down in the last 10 months from two years of huge returns for investors, Radick notes.

The company adapts to market challenges by providing better service than its competition and by getting its name out through extensive marketing and by word-of-mouth, he says.

"To stay competitive, we continue to use our long-standing relationships with subcontractors and material men," Radick explains. "[We] continue to understand the complexities of long-distance clients and implement procedures and software to enhance our ability to communicate effectively with these clients."

Satisfaction is Key
Radick says the company plans to continue to provide complete satisfaction to its clients. "Our goal is to provide our clients with 100 percent commitment, trust and the highest level of quality their money can buy, combined with the best customer service," he stresses. "A handshake and our word [are] still as good as our written contracts."