Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
quote:
...I got an e-mail with questions from somebody in NJ at 3AM. I got another one at 5AM and a third one at 7AM. This was the third one: "Since you have not replied to my previous two e-mails I decided to contact and work with another Broker." I guess he thought NJ was in the same time zone as Hawaii and not six hours time difference. 
........
Maybe you are lucky... I think Winston Churchill got that same person a few months ago and had the same 3 emails... but heck there are +million people in NJ so what are the chances??? ha ha
Posts: 315
Threads: 28
Joined: Oct 2006
Honestly, the biggest mind-transition in moving here is understanding peoples' concept of work times, family and recreation, and then being flexible. After having done a major remodel in the Bay area with a great general contractor at the typical Silicon Valley pace, we worked with another great contractor on Maui for our Haiku house. He really helped us understand about things like island time, but also got our house completed (framing to finish) in 4 1/2 months, nearly record time. Hard working folks for sure. Here, we went owner-builder using Castleblock products and Rob's good will, honesty and generous advice. Had a local crew from our community help with the basic structure. We had our 1000 sf house enclosed in about a month's worth of work (spread over 2 months). No complaints -- great crew who became good friends in the ohana.
I would say, packaged homes aren't necessarily bad -- it's the finish and personalization that make or break 'em. Learn to work with people's schedules, and understand their values. Get recommendations. Talk to people who worked with them, and how they handled problems that cropped up. If possible, talk to their subs to see how they work together. Not everything is smooth sailing, so their problem-solving is the key to a happy relationship. Value their willingness to tell you when your "change order" is going to wreak havoc with all sorts of things. Have a "plan B, C, and D" in mind when doing the design, particularly when it comes to the value engineering phase to deal with cost over-runs.
We've been fortunate in our building efforts when they involved contractors -- three great people/companies that we enjoyed working with very much. Personally, I think that some folks generate their own "contractor from hell" situations by not doing their up-front legwork, and not partnering in the process in a thoughtful way.
My $.02 worth -- we've really enjoyed the folks we've worked with, both here and on the mainland, but we've also been very hands-on and collaborative in the process. We've also had experience doing it all ourselves, and have liked the current hybrid approach.
Jane and Pete Adams
Posts: 2,980
Threads: 177
Joined: Aug 2006
Yeah, Cat. You were very accomodating, but I was off-island on the day that you proposed. I had to make a decision immediately because the inspection period was up, and time was up. There was no day on which you and I could see the property together. That was Pele's way of saying "Buy a house".
Had to get on Hawaiian Airlines and go back to work on the day that you proposed to go look at the property. Your reputation precedes you and I wouldn't hestitate to use your services. Unfortunately, there is only one of you and we haven't been able to clone you yet.
Islanders: We are working on the mainland, not dense, and trying to get to that place where we can go slack. When we are ON ISLAND, we are operating in two different time zones. Go with ours then go back to yours when we get on the plane.
Delmarten: Building on a lot is hellish, especially if you are off island. It can be done though.
Posts: 551
Threads: 61
Joined: Oct 2004
We owner built our custom dream house in California. Hiring All subs. We had to finish,help,correct,redo, every subs work.
There are more inspections there. The only inspection that we past in Cal.the first time was the electrical, which we did.
We are most of the way threw our second home building here in Hawaii. We have done most of the work. I feel that building here is far less restrictives than Cal. The few subs we have had to hire had good work ethic and the end result was good. Customized package homes get you some of what you want with alot of the BS taken out and at descent price. If you want to build your dream home, custom is best. But be prepared for custom price and problems that occur. What's on paper does not necessarily transfer to structure easily $$$$$$. I would not recommend building while off island, but that's your choice.
The best investment is to build your own.
Good luck in what ever you do.
Aloha
Wyatt
Edited by - wyatt on 09/17/2007 19:26:19
Edited by - wyatt on 09/17/2007 19:28:15
Edited by - wyatt on 09/17/2007 19:30:46
"Yearn to understand first and to be understood second."
-- Beca Lewis Allen
Posts: 6
Threads: 1
Joined: Sep 2007
quote:
We owner built our custom dream house in California. Hiring All subs. We had to finish,help,correct,redo, every subs work.
There are more inspections there. The only inspection that we past in Cal.the first time was the electrical, which we did.
We are most of the way threw our second home building here in Hawaii. We have done most of the work. I feel that building here is far less restrictives than Cal. The few subs we have had to hire had good work ethic and the end result was good. Customized package homes get you some of what you want with alot of the BS taken out and at descent price. If you want to build your dream home, custom is best. But be prepared for custom price and problems that occur. What's on paper does not necessarily transfer to structure easily $$$$$$. I would not recommend building while off island, but that's your choice.
The best investment is to build your own.
Good luck in what ever you do.
Aloha
Wyatt
*Thank you all so much...for your words of wisdom and thought. Mahalo
Edited by - wyatt on 09/17/2007 19:26:19
Edited by - wyatt on 09/17/2007 19:28:15
Edited by - wyatt on 09/17/2007 19:30:46
Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
quote:
Yeah, Cat. You were very accomodating, but I was off-island on the day that you proposed...
No worries Glen! It must be really schizophrenic to go back and forth! The good thing is - if I adjust my time for the mainland calls --- then I get to finish up earlier in the afternoon! Yippee! There are pluses to the 6 AM phone calls! (glass half full!)
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 217-7578
http://bluewaterpm.125mb.com/index.html
"We help make building your dream home a reality"
Posts: 65
Threads: 11
Joined: Jan 2007
I took on being an owner builder and I learned a lot of hard lessons. But I would say that building your own home the way you want it is the best way. But if you want no stress- then it would be adviseable to buy an already built home.
Posts: 325
Threads: 54
Joined: Jun 2007
quote:
You might have to do it all under one roof and without a second kitchen.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
John, I was under the impression that Hawaii county allows you to build a "compound" of buidlings, provided that there is only one kitchen. Does everything really have to be under one roof?
For example, this home has three buildings and is similar in concept to the home we hope to build:
http://www.phuketpropertysearch.com/re_i...03_1_l.jpg
Edited by - hpp4me on 09/24/2007 10:38:22
