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puna-bound,
During our last visit in January, we met with Rob Tucker to learn more about ProTEC, Rastra, and other products. We were very impressed. We particularly liked the products’ resistance to rot and termites. (I believe I also saw a post from Rob indicating no termite treatment is required when building a ProTEC building.) We like a board and batt look, and Rob sent us pictures of some ProTEC homes that were finished with the look we want – another plus. If I’m not mistaken, I believe David M is building with ProTEC and I would be interested in hearing some of the pros/cons he discovered while working with it.
But before we begin, we want to look at all of our other options, so thanks for asking the question we were about to ask.
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I have used both Trojan and HPM in the past. It was hard to deal with Trojan, they delivered the wrong products twice and overall their package homes are less a "package" than HPM. It was much easier to deal with HPM and I would use them again. I also am familar with Honsador, Castleblock and Multi-Facetted on your list. I didn't like the design of any of the Honsador homes. You should look the finished Castleblock homes first before you look at ones under construction. There was one built next to my lot and it looked ugly during construction but it was a beautiful home once finished. I visited Multi-Facetted and took their tour once because I liked their designs. However, it was not cost effective for a spec home because many many things were not included in the package price. I would consider them for my own house though. I hope this helps and others will chip in in regards to the others listed.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
Edited by - John S. Rabi on 06/08/2007 13:01:07
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Wegian, I have also heard good things about those products.
Is this Mr. Tucker that you speak fondly of a general contractor? I might need one of those as I can't imagine overseeing the construction of a house!
John, thank you for sharing your personal experiences. I also like the HMP designs. This one, in particular...
http://www.hpmhawaii.com/Maluhia.htm
Keep those comments coming!
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Yup, I'm one of the happy Castleblock owner-builders. I hired out the concrete/slab work and hired the required licenced plumber and electrician - otherwise wife and I built it with some hired labor from time to time. You can check out our little project at Take me to Ninole Progress
We used Rob's ProTec panels for the house itself and the Galvumet roof system panels. Many of Rob's clients use all metal, but I chose to use wooden posts and beams for my support and the look I wanted (open beam). We did opt to do metal studs on interior walls. I do have some "lessons learned", but think it is an excellent product and if our son moves here, it will be my first choice to build his house.
We also welcome visitors/propsective builders to come check it out and feel free to email me directly with any questions.
We did check out other alternatives. Agree with Rabi as to Multifacetted costs - beautiful product, but too much maintenance for me.
We did utilize HPM to build our shed - more of a custom "kit" but they were good to deal with, especially as we weren't living here yet. Before switching to Castleblock, we spent many months revising their Maluhia model.
We also did extensive planning with Take me to Lockwood
Example house in Volcano near golf course and
Take me to Connecta Example houses in HPP I believe.
This proved too difficult from owner builder perspective and the local contact's wife wanted a premium price to act as "no work provided, in name only" advisor.
Best of luck in your quest. It IS an adventure.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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Hmmm one thing you may consider is a Yurt...
And yes they are permitted, I saw one for sale in sea view estates. It was a pacific yurt 750Sq Ft. I think you could get one shipped here for about 20K. Then all you need to do is make our post and pier deck (base). Make your stairs, Plumb and run electrical, install bathroom, kitchen and you got a home for probably under 40K-50K.
That might be another alternative you may want to consider.
Good Luck.
P.S. I have friend that used Argus, I bought lumber from them. They are pretty good to deal with and hear good things.
http://www.hawaiipropertytax.com/Datalets.asp?gsp=residentialall_hawaii&mnu=PSearch&submnu=Residential&pin=120411180000&cp=1&tp=1&Data1=#
check out above link.
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Regarding yurts -- be careful since resale of them is tough. We had several listed in Kalapana Sea View, beautiful well-built and solid, but had trouble selling them because no one would do a loan on them.
John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com
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I am not very familiar with yurts, but to add John's posting, make sure the lumber is treated otherwise you will never get a permit.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
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We found Argus wonderful to deal with and he has many plans to choose from. Delivered on time and offered advice and even loaned us a special tool we needed for a job so we didnt have to buy something to use it once. Coming back soon I hope and will use Argus again. He walked our plans through the permit process and was a great help.
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http://livemodern.com/sunsetbreezehouse
Here is one really like: the Breezehouse. I don't really care for the exterior architecture, but it has the indoor/outdoor feel that I would want in a Hawaii house. Basically, the breeze goes right through the middle of the house. Hot air rises out of the butterfly roof, and both ends of the house open up completely using "Nanawall" accordion glass doors. I am not sure the overhang would suffice in Puna. This house is probably better suited to the dryer West side. Still, it is eco-friendly, built OFF-SITE, and merely provides some buttoning up to get it up and running.....
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