Vernon Broadcaster - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com

Published - Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Dregnes mark 30 years at Kickapoo Homes

by Tim Hundt

It was a desire to fill a gap between quality and price in the homebuilding industry that led Duaine Dregne to start building homes 30 years ago and that philosophy has carried over to all of the business ventures the Dregne family has became involved in.

"Back in the 70s things were crazy with inflation and everybody and their brother was in construction," Dregne said. "Everybody was claiming to have the best price and quality."

Dregne began by remodeling homes in the Sparta area and the more he got into the construction trade he realized there was need for a builder who could deliver a quality product at a fair price.

"I wanted to start a company that would give value," Dregne said.

Kickapoo Homes was born and the goal at first, Dregne said, was to build one house a month.

"Pretty soon it was one house a week," Dregne said.

Ironically the city of Sparta was in the midst of a housing boom and a lack of utility infrastructure forced the city to put a moratorium on building until more sewer and water capacity could be added. That moratorium caused Dregne to make the decision to move to Viroqua in 1982.

Ross Abbey had lots for sale in a new development and Dregne felt the opportunity to build in Viroqua was right. The same emphasis on customer satisfaction and value that made Dregne's business a success in Sparta made it successful in Viroqua.

"We try to be honest and fair with our customers," Dregne said. "Our business depends on customer satisfaction. Things do go wrong but we sure do try hard to take care of them."

Dregne said another key to running a business is the amount of time invested and reinvesting what is earned.

"All businesses require time, a lot more than 40 hours a week," Dregne said. "You have to have 100 percent commitment 100 percent of the time. You have to learn to give up weekends and a lot of things and you have to keep putting back into a business, you can't just take money out of it and expect it to grow."

Dregne also emphasizes keeping up with industry changes.

"We try to stay on top of the industry," Dregne said. "We belong to the builders association and we also watch for new things and changes. You have to keep on top of it and constantly change."

In keeping with that philosophy Kickapoo Homes began building homes to meet the Uniform Dwelling Code in 1980 and has built homes that meet or exceed building codes ever since. Today the emphasis is on energy efficiency.

"We have gotten into the Energy Star program and customers can save up to 25 to 30 percent on their energy bills," Dregne said.

The Energy Star Program administered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages energy savings by connecting homeowners with Energy Star builders and suppliers. Dregne said it is essential to keep up with industry changes like the Energy Star program to remain competitive.

Dregne said Kickapoo Homes has always been a family operation from the start with the help of wife Sue and all the kids business grew and family involvement grew with it.

"I can remember Derek helping waterproof basement walls when he was about eight," Dregne said. "They have all helped. The kids would help clean up jobsites and make the house immaculate for our customers."

With the addition of other businesses over the years like the Kickapoo Kwk Stop 25 years ago and the Kickapoo Corners Restaurant 10 years ago Dregne has tried to pass those business principals on to his kids as they stepped in to help where needed. Derek is heavily involved with the home building business with an eye on taking over for Dad. Daughter Dionne runs the Kickapoo Corners Restaurant, Dane keeps all the computers running and helps run the rental property business and Sue runs the Kickapoo Kwk Stop store in Readstown.

"We have been very lucky, the whole family works together," Dregne said. "Everyone knows their part and everyone knows they have to work. For us, business and family have been one in the same."