Creating Quality Homes for Generations
Scott Kuchel, a third-generation builder, has a passion for creating quality architecture, while making a beautiful space for people to put down roots.
“My favorite part is when Lori and I hand over the keys to our customers. They have the biggest smiles on their face and are so excited,” Scott shared. “That is satisfaction after lots of hard work.”
“Our family has been coming up to the Lakes since the 1960’s. The family home on Moore Lake, all of the kids helped build it,” Scott remembered.
His dad opened a cabinet shop where Scott began working at during his teenage years. He also learned roofing and all the ins and outs of the building process, including the development of a large housing expansion like Nature Trails in Milford, IA from his dad, Blaine, and Uncle Ken Kuchel. In 2010, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and spent three years in the commercial business, building McDonalds.
While down south, he had the blessing of meeting Lori and the two were married in 2017. Scott took over as CEO of Kuchel Homes after his father retired in 2018.
“It was an adjustment moving to the area but it didn’t take long to fall in love with Iowa. You can’t beat a small town to raise your family and build your business,” Lori shared. “This is something we want to create for other families,”
In April 2022, SLK Investments, LLC purchased eight acres of prime land near Pinewood Drive and have spent the last four years converting the space into a luxury townhome development.
“We have really found our own niche, providing housing in the middle range of $400,000 to $500,000 price range, depending on the square footage of the property. The area is in such a housing shortage we wanted to help with the need,” Scott explained.
Perkins oversees the plumbing and heating. Lance Lunback takes care of millwork and Doug Heller with Northwest Iowa Sprinkler completes the irrigation work. Scott said that his crew takes care of the stonework, making each space unique and one-of-a-kind.
Lauren Denney, owner of 4D Design out of Sioux Falls, has been invaluable to them. “She creates unbelievable design work for us. I tell her to draw up something, we may go back and forth three times and I receive a stunning 3D rendering in return,” Scott said.
Lori loves being the main interior designer and she said the homes are filled with blacks, greys, and whites, but in the last build she used more browns. “Browns are coming back in, especially the neutral colors, “she said. “I love being able to put together a home for a client – each one is unique.”
The duplexes are similar but different. For instance, the cabinets or countertops can be different colors or woods.
“A customer can help guide the process or visit the different vendors for ideas and share what they’d like us to do,” Lori explained. “But I also enjoy putting together a home for a family and provide any assistance they may need.,”
Once the builds are complete, Janie Eick of Remax Lakes Realty and Rob and Angela Hinn of Hinn Realty take care of the selling details.
Most importantly, the Kuchels appreciate living in Spirit Lake and love building homes for other families so they can also enjoy living in the Iowa Great Lakes. Even more special is Scott’s son Maxwell is quickly becoming the fourth-generation builder, as he’s graduating in May with a degree in Construction Management from DMAAC and already has a job with Griner Construction.
“We love making happy customers and I want to make it right the first time. It is really good if it doesn’t have to be fixed,” Scott explained.
Kuchel Homes has a one-year full 100% warranty, and when they hand over the keys, they tell the client to let him know of any issues in a three-month window. “I try to build to perfection and want to fix everything all at once,” he said.
Besides building duplexes along Pinewood Drive, Kuchel Homes also specializes in high-end remodels. Kuchel Homes and SLk Investments, LLC can be found at 1019 Highway 71 S, and Scott can be reached at 712-339-0745 or at SLKINVESTMENTSLLC@gmail.com