owner-builder square footage restrictions

[Cheerio]

Aloha,

I've been off this forum for awhile but lurking again as we make headway to return to the BI and buy a lot in Puna next month. I'm reluctant to repost the same old questions all the dreamers come here to ask but in searching old topics can't seem to find this exact Q. So here goes:

we're planning on being owner-builders (yeah yeah it will probably be a headache and end up in divorce but please no nay-saying but my husband was told by someone in the planning dept. that owner-builders can only build up to 600 sq. feet. This seems crazy and I know sometimes folks in the planning department (and, cough, other Hawaiian state-run agencies) will plum just make stuff up.... obviously this is true but if it's the case that knocks out the ability to buy in some neighborhoods with minimum size requirements (of which we could actually afford - HSRE, Leilani, Nanawale). Can anyone confirm if this is true? I keep getting booted off the line when I call the planning dept myself, and wading through the PDFs online is making my head swim.

Thanks in advance!
Kelsi

[kalakoa]

Planning loves to make things up.

Owner-builder may frame and finish (but no plumbing or electrical, and concrete formwork must be inspected) whatever plans Building wants to approve.

Ag-zoned land permits an unpermitted 600sf "utility shed".

CC&Rs cut both ways, be careful what you sign up for.

[Seeb]

The only maximum for permitted houses is a lot coverage thing from zoning ( can't be in the setbacks)

[kalakoa]

Yes, setbacks, but also the "maximum house:lot area ratio" -- I'm not even sure that's in HCC, nor would I want to live on a lot so small (Nanavale and similar "minimum" subdivisions) that it was a problem.

[lquade]

i have done two owner builder over the years and did not have a problem with either. as already stated, you have to have a licensed plumber and electrician and now i think the solar hot water stuff. there is no footage restrictions on a primary dwelling other than setbacks and some minimums.. it isn't as bad as some think as long as you have a courteous and pleasant demeanor with the building inspector..

[Cheerio]

thanks for the tips. We are on it with the licensed plumber and electric (and I would imagine the foundation, too.. I don't want to screw up pouring a slab). My dad and brothers are licensed electricians and plumbers, respectively, though I don't know if this will fly since they hold a license in Washington and not Hawaii.

Kalakoa (incidentally, my toddler's favorite book, by Akiko Masuda), agreed on the lot size, but we are a couple of young teachers living mostly month-to-month for now, and I have to bend on this one. My hubby wants to buy outright as soon as we can rather than have any debt. We'll build and pay as we go. It'll be a process. Thus we'll be in our first home on a small chunk of land. Ah well. Still deeply grateful to be able to buy land back where our kiddo was born.

lquade, agree on the "courteous and pleasant" - add a large dose of patience - maybe some banana bread or a 6-pack.

[kalakoa]

We'll build and pay as we go.

Check the CC&Rs very very carefully... these will often prohibit "temporary structures" and/or place a time limit on construction.

[alaskanites]

We are doing owner-builders for a 1000 sq ft home. No problems with permitting or inspections. Electricians and plumbers need to be Hawaii licensed.

[leilanidude]

With interest rates so low, it doesn't make a lot of sense not to borrow at least something, just to get the project completed in a reasonable amount of time.

[Vic]

quote:

---

Originally posted by alaskanites

We are doing owner-builders for a 1000 sq ft home. No problems with permitting or inspections. Electricians and plumbers need to be Hawaii licensed.

---

Wondering if you could comment on overall costs (not including property), thats just about the size and intent of our plans for our double lot in Nanawale..

Cant wait to live in Puna!