Building a kit home this summer

[caleeallen]

Well, the contract is signed, and we are waiting on septic approval. You have to check and double-check, for sure. We requested a three-bedroom septic system, as we plan to build a small ADU later. However, the plans were initiated to obtain a permit for a one-bedroom unit. And I had to pay a change fee...
 We are going with JET Builders, who have been great at working remotely and so responsive. I did contact the other contractors, but I started this process during the holidays, and that was a busy time. Their price was very fair, too, and comparable to the other bids.
 Groundbreaking should start in a couple of weeks, and I've been advised to choose paint now since, evidently, people have a hard time with that.
I have no standout lessons yet, except that it is a process, read all the info, and start thinking of interiors early. We're building very simply and shaving allowances by eliminating upper kitchen and all bathroom cabinets. Freestanding in the bathroom is cheaper and more attractive, I think.
And don't start building during a trade war if you can help it. We'll see how that goes.

[Rob Tucker]

My sincere suggestion is to keep the plans as simple as possible. A final inspection will hinge on the approved plans. If it's in the plan it needs to be in for final inspection. Foe example: Code does not really require full kitchen cabinets, carpets, finish tiles etc. They can be completed later when you have more time to shop for bargins.

[caleeallen]

Thanks for that! I was looking at ways to save later, like the finish tiles later and good appliances instead of the HPM Bosch package. It's a small space.

Metal exterior doors were recommended due to humidity, and PEX instead of the typically better copper because of the catchment system. Good to know.

Next in the process is builders' risk insurance, narrowing down interior details, and whatever else pops up.

The septic is still in permitting...

[caleeallen]

Septic is permitted and we broke ground today. Looking at course of construction (that's what builder's risk is called), insurance for theft and fire, with a few leads on that. Folks say you don't need it, but it depends, and I quit listening to those folks. We did a narrow drive to preserve the Ohia trees and have some privacy. About the theft insurance--if you point out you have a jungle surrounding the land and chain the drive, you are more likely to get approved.
We found out the neighbors have encroached a bit during their construction, laying brush on our land, but it's not so bad and our contractor will speak to their contractor...
Lessons--look for insurance early, try to visit in person if you can, be ready to pay fees, be nice.
Fire insurance is not scary at all, around $450 for the build, but we'll see what theft co$ts.

[Durian Fiend]

Thanks for that! I was looking at ways to save later, like the finish tiles later and good appliances instead of the HPM Bosch package. It's a small space.

Metal exterior doors were recommended due to humidity, and PEX  instead of the typically better copper because of the catchment system. Good to know. 

Next in the process is builders' risk insurance, narrowing down interior details, and whatever else pops up.

The septic is still in permitting...

What's the connection between a catchment system and the choice of plumbing pipe to use?  I thought everyone in the country was going with PEX now due to ease of installation, lack of corrosion and lower cost.

My two solid core wood entrance doors are still functional after 32 years of use, FWIW.  Metal would probably be my choice now, however.

[caleeallen]

In some areas, like with extreme temperature changes, copper used to be preferred because it is more durable and corrosion-resistant. But PEX is becoming used all over now. I just learned that.

Now it looks like you can't get theft insurance (the folks were right), so we're putting in a camera and light over the gate. It's a small house, and the contractor won't leave things lying around.

The driveway is in, and it curves so you can't see the house, which I hope is a bonus. I'm doing most of this remotely, though I was just there for the driveway install. I found a local rep who will drive by the place once a week. You need that, evidently, if you want to do anything about someone parking on your land or whatnot.

But now, because of the encroachment, we are on hold for a month until the surveyor can come out and confirm our side boundaries. Otherwise, we could have done this with just the front pins.

Good to hear about the doors. Quality probably lasts no matter what it's made of.

[caleeallen]

All the permitting and surveying is done, and now the build is going fast.
I recommend any remote landowners check on their land every now and then if they have vacant lots next door. It can be easy for someone to accidentally encroach while clearing by mistake. The spaghetti lots are particularly tricky, I heard. 
You can rent a storage pod for about $200 a month to safely store supplies, and I'm checking out a remote security camera by Eufy soon.

[leilanidude]

I thought everyone in the country was going with PEX now due to ease of installation, lack of corrosion and lower cost.
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Rats chew into PEX!

[caleeallen]

Now the home is almost finished! Everything went pretty smoothly, but there were a few extra costs. We had to have a few more trees cleared for the power lines, but that was the only surprise. (The curved driveway created that extra cost) It's actually been a very easy process.

I bought almost everything from Hilo or Kona, and the selection was great. Much better than shipping things in.

I'm sure our contractor is part of the reason everything is going so well, too. I would have to say that's my best advice for someone building a small home--get a good contractor.  And the home is pretty simple and small.

Second, make time to look at all the choices and decide what matters to you and where you can save. We used open shelves instead of upper cabinets and cut the cabinet price in half. But then we added tile in the shower, and that ate that savings--though it was a good trade to me.

Now I have the rocky yard to start working with, and we plan to turn our cleared trees into mulch for the start of that. Hopefully, I will be spreading mulch during Christmas.

[Chas]

Did you use Sam Berg?