Building a Home in Hawaii - Unqiue Details

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

.. With a tin roof, you don't need roof decking below it. Roof rafters/trusses at 2' o.c. with 2x4 roof purlins @ 2' o.c. and criss crossing of metal Simpson strapping at about 6' o.c. and then tin roof on top of that. No plywood roof substrate. Saves quite a bit on roofing costs. Although, this is what they do on the Island of Hawaii, I'm not sure if it will work on Oahu or not, each island has slightly different rules.
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Although I agree with you that it isn't necessary, hasn't Hawaii adopted the international building code?

I'd be very surprised if a roof deck isn't required by law now, unfortunately. It's nice to hear the sound of rain on a tin roof.

[hotzcatz]

Yup, international building code as amended by Hawaii County. So, it might be different on the other islands.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Is that last picture a Jackson's Chameleon?

Yup, that's a small male Jackson. They're wandering around in the yard but they're much harder to see than house geckos.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by CasualEntrepreneur

Did a little research this afternoon. Seems that a great many folks (on the mainland) are using a combination of termite stakes and Termidor SC for termite and ant control with great success. Stakes for prevention and Termidor SC liquid concentrate if you have an infestation. One guy even proposed setting up a irrigation drip system using Termidor (which is concentrated) instead of digging 6" ditches around the perimeter of your house.

That would be for ground termites, and would probably not be needed at your property. Check with people in the area. I would only use it as a last resort.

[Ian_Lee]

I built my own house on Oahu in early 2000s. It cost me $250,000 for a 1,900 sq ft two story house and a 400 sq ft covered carport. The house was built on a slope -- so partially it is supported by 14 concrete pillar with steel rods. By that time, the construction industry was in a downturn. The State even offered $10,000 tax credit for new home construction.

Unlike other islands, there is no vacant land in urban core in Oahu. So it took me many years not to look for vacant lot, but dilapidated house. And the house I found was actually not that old. But I still demolished it. Of course, this dilapidated house which turned vacant lot was way more expensive than the construction cost.

Construction cost can vary. I used granite counter top for kitchen and bathrooms, laminated wood flooring for living room and bamboo flooring for bedrooms. If I switched to laminated counter top and carpet, probably I would have saved $20K.

I know some contractors still quote $150/sq ft on this island.

My kitchen range, dryer and water heater are all hooked up by gas. The Gas Company will first check if there is a gas main on your street. Fortunately I got one on mine. The Gas Company then coordinated with my contractor and did the work. I was supposed to be charged $1,900 for connection but apparently they forgot to collect it. My gas bill is between $30-$70 per month (depending on how many people at home). I guess if there is no gas main on the street, you have to build a propane tank and the Gas Truck will come to fill it up. My hot water is very steady in temperature and the 50-gallon water heater has been in use for over 15 years.

When gas is so cheap, why need to install solar water heater?

I have 16 windows in my house but I still installed 3 window AC units. There is also ceiling fan in the dining room. IMO you should put in as many windows and ceiling fans as possible to get rid of the heat.

I have a huge 10' by 40' glass door connecting my living room with lanai. The contractor quoted me $2,500 at that time.

Other charges for reference:

Monthly sewage + water = $120-140
Monthly Electricity = $80-150
Homeowner insurance (including hurricane) per year = $1,050