Many folks have wondered how we can afford to build this house in Hawai'i; after all, doesn't everything cost more in Hawai'i? I'm here to tell you, in dollars and cents, that it is do-able. Obviously, we have not come to the end of our building process, so some of these figures are estimates, and there will inevitably be a few surprises along the way. But here are the rough figures we have amassed so far for a post-and-pier house (8' above grade), 600 sq. ft. living space, 400 sq. ft. covered lanai, and about 1,000 sq. ft. of developable space at grade level:
1-Acre Lot: $35,000
Architect plans and permits: 1,500
Grubbing and ripping of lot: 3,500
Cinders and base coarse for driveway and house pad: 2,500
To get the structure "up and tight" (this was a contract which included labor and materials for foundation, framing, exterior windows and doors, pre-fab trusses, metal roof, stairs, railings, and exterior trim): 65,000
Water catchment system, including 10,000-gallon steel tank, cover, pump, filters, UV system and installation: 8,000
Cesspool: 1,800
Plumber (rough-in and finish, including propane work): 4,400
Electrician (rough-in and finish): 5,800
Drilling of hole for temporary/permanent electric pole; metal pole and cap: 1,150
Kitchen cabinets (not installed) and counters (installed): 6,800
On-demand water heater (gas): 750
Gutters (necessary for water collection): 1,500
Refridgerator, stove, microwave, washer, gas dryer (hit some good sales!): 2,500
Tub, sink, toilet, kitchen sink: 800
Bath vanity and countertop: 500
Bamboo flooring (not installed): 1,200
Electrical fixtures (ceiling fans, etc.): 500
Interior dry wall; material and labor): 3,500
Paint (exterior and interior): TBA
Insulation for roof and west wall: TBA
Sooooo. Known costs currently total $146,700, including the cost of the land, or $111,700 for the building of the house itself. The unknown costs are at the bottom of the list, but will probably only total at most another $10,000 since we will be doing some of the work ourselves. Using the combined living space and covered lanai, that will work out to about $120/sq. ft. excluding major appliances. Just wanted you to know that you don't have to be a millionaire to live in paradise....
3 comments:
Lots of fun looking and reading. Thanks for sharing.
Richard M
Las Vegas
My hubby and I are planning our move over this next summer. We are coming in March to look at land and then plan to general contract the house ourselves. He is an electrician and I am just a power tool nut. It is exciting to see your dream come alive. I think I will do something similar to your website so that our mainland friends and family can keep up on the developments. Thanks for sharing. I will check back often. How has your timeline been on building?
Thanks for sharing. I saw all the progress and the costs of your project and decided to also build now on our lot. It was the costs that you so generously posted that grabbed my attention. It is doable! I can't wait.
Leif
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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