Buy vs. build-Big Island (Hilo, Eden Roc: house, buying, contractor)

[livin_on_a_rock]

My husband and I are tossing around the idea of building rather than buying. We live on the Hilo side of Big Island. Of course, we've heard "nightmare" stories about building, but have also heard great success stories. Is it worth the wait and any aggravation that one will go through to get the floor plan you want with the special touches that you can add during the build? Or is easier to just "settle" for a home that you find that you can be content with. Another question we have is about having a water well vs. catchment. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Mvn 2 Paradise]

Aloha Wendy,

Darin and I aren't there yet, but we are doing a ton of research on just this thing. I will tell you what I have heard.

I hear that right now it can be cheaper to build than buy. You would want to have everything well thought out prior to signing the deal because if you change things mid-stream, that is where they can gouge you. I will add a link to David and Katies blog. They just moved into their house they had built in Eden Roc. They documented the whole thing and there is a lot of lessons learned. Moon Over Hawaii

If you are geared towards general contracting it yourself, you can save $20-30,000. It is said to put a lot of stress on a relationship. Bob Villa says that the two biggest reasons for divorce are finances and remodeling.

There are many home package builders on the BI. Here is a site that lists most of them. Big Island Packaged Home Suppliers
and this one gives you owner/builder info. Big Island Owner Builder Information

a lot of the package home sites give info about doing it yourself as well or getting a contractor.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Aloha,
Sharlee