01-04-2014, 02:01 PM
Aloha,
The solar water heater was made into a law for all new construction - only exception I think is older properties with grandfathered permits. It'll be worth the cost for your peace of mind living peacefully with the environment or aina as the locals call it. Also it'll be a nice talking point / bragging point for your mainland chums.
HPM will do the walls paneled for you saving lots of time. I hear build a stick house standard is to get it tented every 2 years here for termites. Might want to think about using wood as your building material. At over 100% humidity 24/7 365 and with regular 2 year tenting of your home maybe it would be worthwhile to look into a different material.
Also, foundation - have you looked into the post/pier method popular in the area? It could remedy / assuage all your anxiety over the foundation to go with post/pier - also does your area flood? One of the main reasons some prefer post/pier to a poured slab foundation. Also as an owner builder it may be easier to do the post/pier yourself - and cheaper?
I'd look into concrete and steel frame houses. Thats what I wouls build if I was going to be fully permitted no hesitation.
If not interested in concrete/steel but still wanting to permit I'd build with post/pier and try and be as mimimal as possible - in every aspect.
Also don't forget to budget in a substantial allocation of funds for landscaping. Trust me. You want your little slice of paradise to actually look like paradise.
The solar water heater was made into a law for all new construction - only exception I think is older properties with grandfathered permits. It'll be worth the cost for your peace of mind living peacefully with the environment or aina as the locals call it. Also it'll be a nice talking point / bragging point for your mainland chums.
HPM will do the walls paneled for you saving lots of time. I hear build a stick house standard is to get it tented every 2 years here for termites. Might want to think about using wood as your building material. At over 100% humidity 24/7 365 and with regular 2 year tenting of your home maybe it would be worthwhile to look into a different material.
Also, foundation - have you looked into the post/pier method popular in the area? It could remedy / assuage all your anxiety over the foundation to go with post/pier - also does your area flood? One of the main reasons some prefer post/pier to a poured slab foundation. Also as an owner builder it may be easier to do the post/pier yourself - and cheaper?
I'd look into concrete and steel frame houses. Thats what I wouls build if I was going to be fully permitted no hesitation.
If not interested in concrete/steel but still wanting to permit I'd build with post/pier and try and be as mimimal as possible - in every aspect.
Also don't forget to budget in a substantial allocation of funds for landscaping. Trust me. You want your little slice of paradise to actually look like paradise.