2014 pricing on packaged homes

[Luke Duke]

In old posts I see that the total cost for a package home and its construction has been about $130/sf (permits, materials, labor, etc.). What is the cost these days? Has anyone bought a packaged home recently? With the low cost of real estate my guess is that many recent arrival have purchased existing homes.

[Luke Duke]

No one?

[csgray]

The finishes are what can make or break the budget on a home. The basic packaged shell carries the same cost if you put in the cheapest possible floors, doors, and cabinets as it would if you put in the most expensive. One rule of thumb I've heard is triple the cost of the materials package to get your cost, not counting things like site prep, a cesspool, cost of the land, catchment and pump, or getting power to the site.

Carol

[Rob Tucker]

Luke, I am curious why you would not call the package house suppliers and ask them... then you could tell us.

[HI_Someday]

I've been looking at them and only a few list their prices on-line. Big Island Home Packages (packagehomes.com) was one and Kavana Homes has prices listed but none of the links (like floor plans, pics of the models) work for me. I found a house I really like from Honsador (the Oneki 2) but they don't list costs. I called them and they sent me a price sheet for all their models.

All of these companies have websites that list what is included in the cost and what is not. For example the Oneki 2 includes just about everything (finished exterior and interior) except appliances, plumbing, electrical and water catchment. In Hawaii you have to have a licensed plumber and electrician do that work. I haven't priced out that yet so I don't know those costs. The Oneki I like is $77,000.00.

So I have to add the plumber, electrical, water and contractor ($140 +/- per s.f.) to the tally, then lot cost, engineering stamp, permit, etc... It adds up fast. I don't know what is included in the contractor cost, i.e. - I've heard it includes lot prep, catchment system, build house but not sure what else. I do know as I add up these rough numbers the price quickly gets out of the range I had hoped for. However further investigation is needed to get more accurate info.

If you want the Honsador brochure with price sheet message me with your email address and I'll send it on.

Good luck and share any info you find!

[HI_Someday]

BTW - The lady I spoke to at Honsador was just the nicest, most helpful person I've dealt with in a long time (Cassie, I think). I really hope she is representative of the general population there on the big Island. I was reading through the documents she sent and there is a section that has things like Contractor Selection, Materials List, etc... that guides you through the process and gives you helpful information. The very last section has the heading "Not For Sissies" and goes on to explain that building your own home is not easy or for sissies! I laughed out loud at this one. I like a business that is honest and has a sense of humor. Still makes me smile when I think about it.

[csgray]

Look at Argus too, everyone I know who has worked with them was very happy. Their homes are well designed for this climate, and priced for the local market instead of wealthy retirees with money to burn. They do custom packages too.

Carol

[microage97]

+1 on Argus. They are super nice and very helpful.

[dchanmer]

I did some looking around too, awhile back and I liked Argus. They are flexible too in how you want to put your package together.
I'm also considering a yurt from Yurts of Hawaii. Melissa is very helpful over there too.

[Cagary]

How about Castleblock homes? All steel and light weight concrete. No termite food.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/Ga...jy4bx8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/Ga...kdjzac.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/Ga...9cstxt.jpg

-Veritas odium parit”(Terence 195–159 BC))-"Truth begets hatred".