Building a kit home this summer

[caleeallen]

We used JET Builders, but Sam Berg was on our shortlist. I remember he had a good quote, too, and was very responsive by email.

But we're still waiting for the power hookup from HELCO, so not done yet...

[Chas]

Yeah, having a good contractor definitely makes things way easier. 

Glad to hear it worked out. I had heard good things about JET. 

Good luck and enjoy your home! It's great having EVERYTHING brand new... 

[tikicarver]

We used JET Builders, but Sam Berg was on our shortlist. I remember he had a good quote, too, and was very responsive by email.

But we're still waiting for the power hookup from HELCO, so not done yet...

One question I have about the process, did JEt Builders find the plumber and electrician for you, or did you get them?

I'm going the Owner Builder route for an addition I'm planning and one thing that seems odd to me, the Planning dept says I need to list who the Licenesed Plumber and Electrician will be when I send in the permit application.  But knowing it can take months to just get the permit and them probably not ready for them for few months more, how do you get a guy to sign up to do your project 6- 8 months before you will be ready to use them?  By then they might have other jobs that pay more so they are not interested any more.

[caleeallen]

Sorry for the delay tikicarver! JET did find the plumber and electrician for me. I guess the contractors keep them on rotation with all their jobs?
This was a 'turn key' build, including catchment and septic and the works.

We are done with the build now, too, and awaiting the DOH-IWS final filing.

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Yeah, having a good contractor definitely makes things way easier. 

Glad to hear it worked out. I had heard good things about JET. 

Good luck and enjoy your home! It's great having EVERYTHING brand new... 

Thank you! It really is nice, you are right. I can't wait to see it!  

[Chas]

Just saw this after responding to your other post. Everything I said there still applies. 

[caleeallen]

Some more building notes!

One month in the new house. 

UPS and FedEx delivered to my address in Fern Acres. I'm near the front on a paved road. 

Some of the items on the Home Depot website will say they can ship to Hawaii, but actually cannot. But they won't always tell you until after the delivery day has passed, even though they process the order like normal. A person at HD told me that it was not uncommon.  So I suggest maybe calling customer service --the main one--and asking if you are not sure or in a hurry. Their sofa and mattress arrived just fine. 

I'm using Starlink on the new $50 plan, and it works great. Except for the Elon part. But their $100 install mentioned on the website is not quite true, as it was going to be $300 for here. And I'm not sure if that includes mounting.  So I just set it in the back yard for now.  Starlink installers here said they will charge $530 for an installation (mounted) with half up front and a 7-day lead time. Aligning Starlink was super easy, though. I ran the cable through a window for now.

If you hear a loud rattle, do not assume it is your solar panels about to fly off in the wind. It might just be your ceiling fan has a loose mounting. I learned that today.