I would not build on a slab in Puna. It is too rainy and humid here and the bugs will move in beneath the slab and into your walls. You need to be off the ground at least 3 feet with ventilation underneath to get up out of the damp and the bugs. Also if you discover that you have drainage problems during a heavy downpour after you have poured the slab, you are screwed. Post and pier is the only way to go. Just take the slab home floorplan and frame a post and pier floor instead of pouring a slab. You will be glad you did.
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You can't fix Samsara.
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Joined: Sep 2007
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
Unless you are intending something very unusual you will need an architect or engineer (not both) for your building permit and a separate civil engineer for your septic plan.
After 6 years of owning our property, slowly clearing it by hand, we finally decided to build something. In our case, a pre-engineered steel building with a toilet (thereby necessitating a cesspool and catchment). Sent in the permit request, and was surprised to be told we need an architect or structural to stamp the site plans. I understand an architect stamping the floor plans, but would have thought a civil stamping the site plan would suffice.
And so begins the permitting adventure...
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My best advice: patience, prayer and a big bottle of dark rum probably would come in handy;-)
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When we built our grand kids home in Hawaiian Acres.We went exclusively with Argus Lumber.They had all the answers and plans pre approved by the county.
Excellent patient quality service and $1000s cheaper than HPM or Hosador companies .
Plus they are one of the only mom n pop local outfits.
I second Argus Lumber. Friendly, no nonsense, local family business. Built my place out of their lumberyard. Try to stay away from the big box guys if you can deal locally. Otherwise, the big box guys will be all that is left to do business with.
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You can't fix Samsara.
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stay away from the big box guys if you can deal locally
Funny thing: almost every trip to Home Despot ends up being another trip to Central, Alpha, Argus ... might as well save time and shop the real stores first, the big box is usually out of stock or "has never heard of that".
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I have always preferred to do business with local, established supply stores as the "HoDepot" as my fellow workers call it seems to never have stock to actually do a job right (material list "A" becomes list "B" and eventually a Mickey Mous blend), and the quality is generic in nature. Haven' t found a structural grade 1 stamp on a beam yet in their stores when the wife wants to "shop" for ideas.
I have also found that even a small local hardware store will order whatever you want in any amount if you just ask, and the pricing they give you is very competitive.
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