Seeking recommendations for a local builder.

[humble pi]

Aloha all, 

My wife and I are finally moving to Puna.  
We are building a small, permitted, package home, off-grid, near Pahoa.   
(16'x32', two story house, with shed roof and a covered lanai, on slab.  
We are also building a small Shed on skids.) 
Argus Building Supply is providing the plans, materials, drafting and permitting. 
We just got the preliminary plans; final plans will be submitted soon. 

We are going owner-builder, so we are not using a General Contractor.

We are looking for recommendations for a Builder who lives and works in Puna. 
Ideally, someone who specialized in helping owner-builders, 
who is experienced with permitted, off-grid construction, and 
who can help us find reliable subs and contractors  (excavation, septic, concrete, framing, plumbing, electrical, finish, etc). 

Our start date for construction is January or February, 2025.  The land is currently raw.  

Any recommendations you can think of would be greatly appreciated. 

Mahalos.

PS: I have lurked on PunaWeb for a several years.  Our project / design / plan is better for it.

[Punatang]

Aloha and welcome to Puna,  Mr. and Mrs. Pi.  I hope you r not square or you will have a hard time fitting in. 

Casey Christianson builds a mean shed roof.  Try giving him a call. 801-949-6275.  I know he has worked with owner builders in the past.  He builds very nice homes and resides in HPP.  

Keep us posted.

[tikicarver]

I also got the plans and drawings for my garage from Argus.
Had a hard time finding anyone else that would draw up plans for the permit. 
Seemed like HPM and Honsador only wanted to deal with people building their package homes...

Argus gave me a list of contractors they recommend.
So far I only need to use a concrete guy.

Greg Sumiki ( 808-937-6240) did my slab. He was easy to work with and handled callling and arranging the gravel trucks, concrete delivery and concrete pumper truck. He has been around for a long time.   He also said he does other kind of work if I needed any help in putting the building up.
it is invaluable to have a local guy like him. Example, the first gravel truck we called said it would be 3 weeks, he was very busy. Greg knew another guy, he showed up the next day. Greg and his guys got my forms, gravel and rebar all set in place ready for inspection in 3 days...( but that was with no plumbing and electrical inspections needed)

my other advice if you are the owner builder.....shop around for good price on materials.
Argus gave me a materials list with estimates for everything on the plans. Since I am building by myself I am buying materials as I go so the stuff is not sitting around in the weather.  I started to realize I can get much better prices of some stuff.
Example,, Argus and Home Dept want about $8 for the 5/8" anchors for the slab. I got them at White Cap for $4.30 each. 
for the Smartsiding I'm using, HPM had the best price.. and it is all exactly the same stuff
But for most of the 2x wood I am getting it from Argus, I noticed his wood is better quality than HD... 

I would be interested to find out who you use for septic...

[humble pi]

No, Pi r not square. Pi r round. Corn bread r square.

Mahalos for the recommendation, I will call him Monday.

[Punatang]

No, Pi r not square.  Pi r round.  Corn bread r square. 

Mahalos for the recommendation, I will call him Monday.

Hahaha.  Sounds like we may have an Aggie on our hands...

I think he poured a slab recently so you may be able to go see an active build.

Keep us posted.

[Chas]

For septic, Moore's excavating. They take care of everything.
808 967 7279

[humble pi]

Tikicarver, Mahalos.  That is good advice.  
I planned to shop around once I get the final materials list.  
I suspect Argus will have the best lumber prices (and quality).  
Might also have good prices on Milgard windows & doors.   
But I'll be calling around for prices on all of it.  

Calling several builders tomorrow, arranging to meet later this week.  

Thank you all for the names.