From Alaska to Hawaii (Puna) (Hawaiian Beaches: insurance, home, construction)

[viking2001]

Aloha all. I am a proud owner of a beautiful lot in Hawaiian Beaches/Parks/Shores, about 12 streets from the shoreline. I was born & raised here in Anchorage & am a 20 year journeyman commercial roofer. I also have many years experience in residential roofing . I have long been sick & tired of the nearly 8 month winters here, & my wife & I along with our 4 year old daughter would like to build a redwood/cedar kit home on our lot & move there. I am prepared to travel to Alaska & other islands for work if need be. My question for others living in Puna is this; Is there a good amount of demand for a new residential/light commercial roofing company ? Or sizeable company I could work for on Hawaii? Or do I need to plan on travelling for most of my income ? As for the drugs/weed issue, that does not concern me. Alaska & Hawaii (puna) have alot in common there & has never been a problem for me.

[leilaniguy]

Aloha. In the eight years that I've been here Puna has been steadily growing by over 1000 people per year. I would think you could find enough work without leaving the island. Also the wet, humid weather means continual maintainace/repair jobs. Most all of your work would be metal.

[viking2001]

That sounds very good, metal is a good roof for rainy areas & I do have alot of metal experience. I personally prefer EPDM (Rubber) & TPO (thermo plastic)
which I would attempt to convert local thinking for new roofs to the 21st century. Especially color white which repels heat & weighs next to nothing.
At any rate, I am anxious to return to the type of life I had here in Alaska 20+ years ago before the lower 48 mentality arrived here. I am certain I can offer the community an excellent & quality service at a reasonable price.
I feel as though the Big Island has been calling me like a magnet since my first visit at age 13.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

If you haven't started doing your research yet, you need to know that establishing a construction business in Hawaii is a very lengthy process. My friend who was a contractor in Colorado with a very long career recently moved to the Big Island. It took him nearly nine months to get licensed because of the way the very convoluted process works. Between getting accepted to take the test, taking the test, waiting for results, and getting insurance, it nearly drove him crazy.

[viking2001]

I would likely start out as an un-licensed word of mouth operation. Under the table so to speak. Roofing for the most part does not require any structural changes, so it is not highly regulated even here in alaska for residential & light commercial work

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by viking2001

I would likely start out as an un-licensed word of mouth operation. Under the table so to speak. Roofing for the most part does not require any structural changes, so it is not highly regulated even here in alaska for residential & light commercial work

While that might seem like the easiest route to take, working as an unlicensed roofer in Hawai'i is probably not the wisest thing to do. Anyone that hires a unlicensed roofer who doesn't have adeqauate liability and worker's comp insurance is simply asking for trouble. For example, if an unlicensed roofer gets injured while doing an "under-the-table" roofing job, they would most likely prevail in any lawsuit they file against someone foolish enough to hire them.

Another thing that should be taken under consideration is that under Hawai'i law, unlicensed contractors have little legal recourse if they aren't paid for any work performed. Here's a link to a PDF of the relevant Hawai'i legislation covering such topics....
http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl...rs_pvl_444.pdf

[viking2001]

Originally Posted by Jonah K

While that might seem like the easiest route to take, working as an unlicensed roofer in Hawai'i is probably not the wisest thing to do. Anyone that hires a unlicensed roofer who doesn't have adeqauate liability and worker's comp insurance is simply asking for trouble. For example, if an unlicensed roofer gets injured while doing an "under-the-table" roofing job, they would most likely prevail in any lawsuit they file against someone foolish enough to hire them.

Another thing that should be taken under consideration is that under Hawai'i law, unlicensed contractors have little legal recourse if they aren't paid for any work performed. Here's a link to a PDF of the relevant Hawai'i legislation covering such topics....
http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl...rs_pvl_444.pdf

Work comp is not required for an owner operator in any state, only for employees. Thanks though

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by viking2001

Work comp is not required for an owner operator in any state, only for employees. Thanks though

That's true, but under the laws of the State of Hawai'i an unlicensed contractor is considered to be an "employee" of whomever hires them to do work.

[Sorcerer68]

You'll find that if you do anything well and show up when you say you will, you should be able to make a living.

[viking2001]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

You'll find that if you do anything well and show up when you say you will, you should be able to make a living.

That sounds like the best anyone could hope for anywhere. Thank all who have responded for your insight. I have never lived anywhere but Alaska & this is one of the biggest decisions of my life to move. I have travelled to many other countries & states, but Hawaii is the one place I continue to return to on vacation & feel the calling to live there.