If You "Think" You Own A Lot In Tiki Gardens...

[leilaniguy]

toucano, you sure got it right! A neighbor of mine is just finishing up his 1400 sq. ft. house here in Leilani, got bids from all the local companies offering package homes, then went online, and got his entire package in two containers from Oregon,($8,000+ in shipping) and it was still $26,000 cheaper than the lowest local bid, and included extras they didn't even offer, such as garage doors. He did it all online and on the phone. The only thing other than concrete and tile he ordered from Hilo were countertops. It took almost 4 months to get counters, longer than any other part of the project. A side note; he built a 1 room 12x16 cabin to live in while building, had it permitted as a "tool shed". Leilaniguy

[HADave]

Some good points there for those on a serious budget, I'm sure that there are some who thought that living in Hawaii wasn't going to any more exspensive that where they were from. The estimator that Rob suggested will actually compare the difference in percent of the cost of material, labor, and equipment between all zip codes anywhere. Pretty cool actually.

Ajit did you miss the thread from Emily when she spoke of buying a used container from the Illinois company. I checked it out and they submitted a quote to me shipped from New Jersey to Maine $1850. for a 40 footer $1600. for a 20 footer, wind and water tight used, you just have hire someone to off load the thing from the shipping chassis. and so on. but You should be able to put a modest size home, of materials, in the thing Matsons quoted me 7500. door to door 881 of that was for my p/u.

You can also shop Home Depot anywhere by putting in the zip code of the store you want to shop. On tools same price there as here in Maine. Materials hard to compare because the materials there are somewhat different than here eg; framing, sheathing etc.

Dave

[adias]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the container tips, although the wife would bury me in one before we live in it ;-).

Interesting thread, lots of good information; Given the high cost of labor and material in Hawaii, it seems a compelling argument to buy a pre-built packaged home in Canada or somewhere else where the costs are less and put it up yourself, especially for the Novice.

I’ve been talking to a guy at http://www.greystokes.com, they seems to be interested in the Hawaiian market and currently developing packages customized to Hawaii, both to the wet and dry sides using treated lumber for termites etc and plans specific to Hawaii county code. He claimed to have 4 clients in Hawaii that he is currently working with.

The guy promised me three reference sites in New York that I can visit and get a feel of their packages.


Ajit

[HADave]

Hey Goose, Maverick here, I meant buy the canadian kit put it in the container because it is free shipping to the lower 48 then ship the container with all the other things that are too expensive on The Island and as LeilaniGuy said save save save. Not live in the container,might get kind of crowded, ya think.... but it would keep your material dry and secure in case you have to rent a place to sleep for a while, just a couple weeks though, right, the kits assemble in 80 hours?

As Far as you giving me a hand with my place, you could, you might not like working with me though, terribly critical, my poor wife can testify to that Ayuh! HA HA HA........I have a hard time working with me sometimes....slave driver (=

Dave

[adias]

Well, er.. I know how to assemble IKEA shelves ;-)

Ajit

[mella l]

Just to throw some ink on the wall, we were considering buying two 20 foot containers to bring our toys and furnishings over with some of the construction fixtures we like. Then converting the containers and using them for out buildings when we were finished building. A person could put sliding glass doors, and windows or sky lights, (use them for green houses), into the middle of them make a garden and storage shed, a sauna, who knows. We've been considering purchasing a fifth wheel 26 foot to live in while we build and then use it for guests. Just ideas at this point. Ajit no need to be too concerned about legal age! It is the mental age that is of concern!!

mella l