Manufactured / Modular / Moblle Homes on the Big Island? (Hilo: mobile home, buying)

[Paddywagons]

Aloha,

I have been trying to find any modular / manufactured / mobile home dealers or owners selling on the Big Island and have had no luck. I'm looking for alternatives to standard high-priced stick-built or CBS construction, but I haven't been able to find even one dealer on the Big Island. Does anybody know of any, or maybe there's a reason why there isn't any. Let me know of anything you know please.

Appreciated!

Patrick

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by Paddywagons

Aloha,

I have been trying to find any modular / manufactured / mobile home dealers or owners selling on the Big Island and have had no luck. I'm looking for alternatives to standard high-priced stick-built or CBS construction, but I haven't been able to find even one dealer on the Big Island. Does anybody know of any, or maybe there's a reason why there isn't any. Let me know of anything you know please.

Appreciated!

Patrick

The Oahu Phone book (2002) has just one item under "Modular":

Modular Products - MFRS
Hawaii Modular Space, Inc. 91-252 Kauhi 682-5559

Hank

[cynmkolohe]

Bamboo Living Homes - Bamboo Technologies of Maui
Teak Bali -- Bali Export: Prefab houses, Gazebos, Furniture, Statuary and Prefabricated Knockdown Homes - Wholesale Export


These are two sites where you will find information about pre-built homes.

[Paddywagons]

Thank you Hank & Cynthia, I'll let you know what I learn.

[Medewi]

Originally Posted by Paddywagons

Aloha,

I have been trying to find any modular / manufactured / mobile home dealers or owners selling on the Big Island and have had no luck. I'm looking for alternatives to standard high-priced stick-built or CBS construction, but I haven't been able to find even one dealer on the Big Island. Does anybody know of any, or maybe there's a reason why there isn't any. Let me know of anything you know please.

Appreciated!

Patrick

Hello Patrick,
Our company designs & manufactures Tropical Houses here in West Bali. You can check out our website, which may have something of interest to you
Moderator cut: please refer to Medewi's website on his/her profile
Thks

[LEDESMAS]

We are also hoping to retire on the Big Island, and would like information on pre-fabs. No luck so far. Would appreciate any info. you get, and are willing to share. Mahalo!

[Paddywagons]

Hello Ledesmas,

I am visiting July 20th through Aug 5th - all on the Big Island. I plan on visiting models to see what is being offered. Apparently there are several of these pre-fab home manufacturers/ suppliers. I think some of them are very beautiful, and I have noticed that many are very similar in design. I will be buying a lot or lots either in Ka'u &/or Puna. I plan to retire in about 18 months with my family. I want to see about some earthquake resistant features so that we don't regret our decision. I'll let you all know what I find out about these pre-fab options. My main questions will be about what the builder labor will cost. I know the turn-key packages look great at face value, but it's the final bill that matters!

Patrick

PS: My own email is paddywagons1@yahoo.com if you want to keep connected about this absolutely.

[Adel]

Hello ! There are three companies in Kona and/or Hilo, on the Big Island that have home kits I remember only 2 of them one is called Trojan lumber the other Multi Faccetted Homes Search the yellow pages for Hilo Hi under prefab homes or similars and you will get addresses and phone numbers. I have another company and more info in my lap top that needs repairs and I will gladly send it to you when possible. I wish you the best ! Adel

[Manawai]

I've been told that Hawaii has intentionally designed building codes to prohibit the introduction of manufactuered homes in to Hawaii. The reasons is being that Hawaii, as a solidly union state, enacts rules and legislation to protect the local unions' turf. Apparently, the local unions are concerned that manufactuered homes, that could be a major answer to the affordable housing problem here, will take away union jobs.

[PacificFlights]

Naw, I don't think the unions have anything to do with it. I think that's just a rumor that's passed along without anyone checking. Beside isn't the International Building Code (IBC) or the Uniform Building Code (UBC) what's used? Anyway that wouldn't matter since mobile homes are covered by the HUD Code so they can not be banned from use.

I think what it may be is it's not cost effective. Hawaii's HUD region required both earthquake and hurricane standards. I know mobile homes on the west coast are built to earthquake standards, and the southeast to hurricane, but never heard of them being done together. Probably isn't any builder that makes them to both standards.

There was a manufacture on Oahu, but they went out because they had problems getting them from the factory to the home site. Not many roads could handle the 12 foot wide by 65 foot long length without closing roads and moving many wires. All that added cost. I also think that the demand statewide was there but not on a single island. What would it cost to barge a manufactured home from Oahu to another island? Probably cheaper and less aggravation to go stick built.