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Well I'm feeling like everything in my life is pushing me to finally make the move towards the end of this year. Been reading this and other forums, been to dozens of sites on various home plan options, and I have to say I still don't know where to begin or the order of tasks to complete. I am trying to figure out what I should set up on trips to Puna and have completed before I actually move.
I have a lot in Seaview and on my trip in May plan to investigate further some of the kits from Trojan, HPM, etc. and should have a better idea of what I can afford. Plan to do owner builder, but will need to hire someone to do most of the guidance and I'll simply be a laborer part or full time. Don't think I can afford to have someone just build it for me while I'm still in Oakland.
First question is, what would you recommend I try to get done and definitely don't try to get done before I move there?
2nd question is what is first? The lot is a'a rubble. Do I spread cinder before anything else? Choose the site for the house, septic, and catchment first?
I will probably be able to take 3 week long trips before November. What should I make sure I get done on those trips? I have to say it's overwhelming at this point.
By the time I move, I would like to have a builder set up to start work within a month of my arrival.
Any and all advice appreciated, especially from those who have started the building process before making the move. Please post or email me directly. Mahalo!
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on my first trip over i got my permit, prepped the house site, dug a cesspool and poured the slab, then framed the house and put the roof on. then i went back to the mainland and loaded a container and shipped it over and lived under the house with all my stuff and slowly finished the house.
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I think you will need some consulting. I recommend you contact Cat and see what you can work out. It can be very costly in time and money to do things out of sequence or incorrectly. If you don't know you need regular access to someone who does.
Catherine Dumond 965-9261
Punaweb moderator
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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I second what Rob suggested. Call Cat. Nothing is easy on this Island and you really need someone to guide you to avoid the pitfalls. You might be able to figure it out by yourself, but...
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Figure out where you want your house and start in on the plans. That will take awhile and many folks are sitting waiting for the paperwork to finish so they can start in on "real world" things.
When doing the intial groundwork, if you are having a septic system put in, have the dozer dig the septic system hole. It will save $$$ from the plumber having to bring in a second dozer to dig the hole. Also, when spreading cinders about, don't put any under where the house is going to be. Cinders make lousy foundations. Actually, they don't make foundations at all since you'd have to remove them before adding cement or pier blocks.
Many folks will set up some sort of extensive camping on their property while building. Occasionally there will be a temporary outhouse over the septic tank as well as some sort of temporary catchment system.
Don't put any materials onsite until you or someone are there to watch them.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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Again - talk to Cat...she will be a good guide. If you can find someone to do the grading and septic and housepad at the same time, then they don't have to keep charging you for equipment being moved more than once to your property, you can probably save yourself some money...many contractors available but see who Cat recommends...she's been at it a while. Aloha! (And Congratulations...it's a scary/fun thing when you've not done it before! LOL)
Oh yeah - one other thing...check with the local suppliers of gravel, etc...find out what they charge for a load of whatever - cinder, basecourse, washrock (for septic) and that way you can use that information to deal with whoever you are gonna have do the work...it might get you a better deal if they know you are aware of what the materials cost!
Carrie
Edited by - Carolann R on 03/19/2007 23:01:51
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Rob -
I have a list of site guys Ron Nickels recommends that I can email and I am sure HotCatz can also steer you in the right direction.
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 217-7578
http://bluewaterpm.125mb.com/index.html
"We help make building your dream home a reality"
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Hi Rob,
Congrats on the move....you might want to also check out the websites for all the kit build manufacturers, trojan lumber.com, hpm.com, honsador.com, etc, that will give you a good idea about the plans, also you can have them tweek the plans to what you want done with the rooms, layout, finished materials etc....if you have any other questions, email me.
noel
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Thanks everyone, this is a great help! Contacted Cat who was very helpful.
Can any work be done, such as prepping the site and digging the holes for the septic, before getting permits?
Any other suggestions welcome!
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Two answers to that question.
1) yes
2) no
Can do site work if you are doing less than a 100 CY of moving earth. Or just the house pad. Cant do septic. That said many people do all of the above then call the hole for the septic a "dry well" until time permit is through. Although in the past, everyone was pretty caviliar about what they did - for the first time I saw a job red tagged (totally shut down). it was for plumbing installation before rev plumbing permit got through. And after seeing job, the entire project is much less than stellar.
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 217-7578
http://bluewaterpm.125mb.com/index.html
"We help make building your dream home a reality"
