2023 Building Cost

[calsr1991]

Aloha everyone. Our permit app is progressing through the system and we're looking to see if anyone here knows the average cost of Foundation of a 1,000 square feet home. Also average of electrical work when the pole is right next to the property. We got a quote for $50K for foundation and $15K for Electrical work. Seemed to high I would say.

[Ccat]

Aloha everyone. Our permit app is progressing through the system and we're looking to see if anyone here knows the average cost of Foundation of a 1,000 square feet home. Also average of electrical work when the pole is right next to the property. We got a quote for $50K for foundation and $15K for Electrical work. Seemed to high I would say.

$50/sq ft for concrete seems like alot!  That *Does seem too high*.   Prices have been bid up by all the economic turmoil in the last couple of years.  You might wait just a bit and try again. Prices are just beginning to moderate

[randomq]

Gee I wonder why we have a homeless problem.

[kalakoa]

I wonder how many projects become unaffordable due to price increases during the lengthy permitting process.

It's like a self-inflicted wound: pay their salaries and the permit fees for the privilege of hiring workers and buying expensive materials, then ... wonder why we don't have any "affordable housing".

[Chas]

Are you doing it yourself or do you plan on using a builder? The reason I ask is that usually builders can get better prices, due to the fact that they give the contractors more than just "one off" type work.

In any case, I would say ask around, get at least 3 estimates, and know EXACTLY what you are asking them to do. In fact, I would write it up as a proposal that specifies as many of the requirements of the job as you can. Use the drawings from your plans and specify things like epoxy rebar or plain metal, type of finish for the concrete. Electrical: What is included? Breaker box, trenching, origin and terminus of the work, fixtures, etc. Again, a lot of this stuff will already be on your plans and dictated by code, but there are still a lot of variables that can affect the cost. Having a written proposal insures that everyone is bidding on the same work using the same materials. It actually makes it easier for the contractor as well. Then there is less chance for misunderstandings later.

Cost will vary by a LOT. When I built my place, the highest bid was about 3X the lowest bid. The builder I hired was somewhere in the middle. Recently, I had some trees cut down. One place wanted $3000, another wanted $2400. The guy I went with charged $1200. He did such a good job, I gave him $1400 and had him do more work for me. I got his name from a trusted neighbor who has lived here a while.

[calsr1991]

Aloha everyone. Our permit app is progressing through the system and we're looking to see if anyone here knows the average cost of Foundation of a 1,000 square feet home. Also average of electrical work when the pole is right next to the property. We got a quote for $50K for foundation and $15K for Electrical work. Seemed to high I would say.

$50/sq ft for concrete seems like alot!  That *Does seem too high*.   Prices have been bid up by all the economic turmoil in the last couple of years.  You might wait just a bit and try again. Prices are just beginning to moderate

 Thank you very much for your reply.

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Are you doing it yourself or do you plan on using a builder? The reason I ask is that usually builders can get better prices, due to the fact that they give the contractors more than just "one off" type work.

In any case, I would say ask around, get at least 3 estimates, and know EXACTLY what you are asking them to do. In fact, I would write it up as a proposal that specifies as many of the requirements of the job as you can. Use the drawings from your plans and specify things like epoxy rebar or plain metal, type of finish for the concrete. Electrical: What is included? Breaker box, trenching, origin and terminus of the work, fixtures, etc. Again, a lot of this stuff will already be on your plans and dictated by code, but there are still a lot of variables that can affect the cost. Having a written proposal insures that everyone is bidding on the same work using the same materials. It actually makes it easier for the contractor as well. Then there is less chance for misunderstandings later.

Cost will vary by a LOT. When I built my place, the highest bid was about 3X the lowest bid. The builder I hired was somewhere in the middle. Recently, I had some trees cut down. One place wanted $3000, another wanted $2400. The guy I went with charged $1200. He did such a good job, I gave him $1400 and had him do more work for me. I got his name from a trusted neighbor who has lived here a while.

You guys are awesome. Mahalo for all these. It all make sense. And working together, we can definitely bring these prices back to earth.

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Thank you so much everyone for your responses. I am tackling this project as an owner builder. I am unfamiliar with the costs in Hawaii and with everyone's help, I can at least feel comfortable accepting bids that are within these numbers. The permitting is going really well and it at the end of the process. They have one thing to be corrected by the Septic System Plan Engineers and it's should be all good. Finger Crossed. I saw on the EPIC system that they scheduled everything to be completed by April. I am not used to this cuz here in King County, Washington, we pick up the permit a day or two after you submit it. If there's something needs to be addressed, they'll reach out to you and tell you exactly what it is you need to change and then they approve it. The only thing that required a certified individual is plumbing. Just finished wiring my shed in the backyard by installing a subpanel that ran from the main panel in the garage and goes underground at one point, then up to the shed. The Inspector came out, inspect the wiring, told me what to do and to call him back once those things were done. Scheduled the follow up appointment. He came out, saw I did all that he asked and he signed off on my permit as passed. No need to get a CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN. The Inspector is the CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN. But then, Hawaii County may have its own reasons for placing the requirements on people. Mahalo.

[Thronester]

How long have your plans been in the county epic system?

[Chas]

You are welcome. Good luck.

If you are planning on a well, that permit took almost a year when I got it in 2019. Daniel Diamond is the man for that. He will handle the permit process as well. 808 333 2320.

He is usually extremely backed up and kind of hard to get a hold of, but a great guy.

[calsr1991]

How long have your plans been in the county epic system?

It's exactly a month now since it was submitted. It says OUT PROCESS review now. Hopefully, I was correct that it is at the end of the process. It said it passed the Intake Review, Land Use Review and Engineering Review. The Septic System missing some information, so I guess, they'll loop back around when DOH approves the submitted information by the septic Engineers.

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You are welcome. Good luck.

If you are planning on a well, that permit took almost a year when I got it in 2019. Daniel Diamond is the man for that. He will handle the permit process as well. 808 333 2320.

He is usually extremely backed up and kind of hard to get a hold of, but a great guy.

Mahalo.

[Thronester]

How long have your plans been in the county epic system?

It's exactly a month now since it was submitted. It says OUT PROCESS review now. Hopefully, I was correct that it is at the end of the process. It said it passed the Intake Review, Land Use Review and Engineering Review. The Septic System missing some information, so I guess, they'll loop back around when DOH approves the submitted information by the septic Engineers.

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Wow that’s a quick approval! May I ask, is it an unmodified design from HPM or a custom design? I heard that HPM and Argus are offering designs that can get approved fairly quick.