You’re ready for a new house and you’ve been shopping, but haven’t found anything that fits your needs and budget – at least not in your neighborhood. Moving is not an appealing prospect because you like the area you’re living in now – it’s convenient and you have friends there.
It’s a common scenario, says Jim Byxbee, Homeworks Construction president and the 2011 president of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii. “A big percentage of the new homes we’ve designed and built in older family neighborhoods such as Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Palolo and Kalihi, to name a few, have been rebuilds for owners who just didn’t want to move to a new location,” he said.
“Many of these clients were second- and third-generation owners who grew up in the home built by parents or grandparents. They had long-time friends in the neighborhood and children in local schools. They wanted to stay right where they were, but in a larger, newer house.”
Byxbee pointed out that the first choice is often to remodel and/or build an addition. That option is thoroughly explored before making the decision to demolish and build new. As soon as the homeowner contacts Homeworks, a project coordinator is assigned to meet with them at the property to explore the possibilities, taking into account budget and zoning constraints. So if they want a Newmarket conservatory roof conversion or an extension to their home, they can find out just how much it will be and if it will add value to the home.
“If the house has a solid foundation and good bones and the owners really like its look and feel, we’ll give them prices for both a whole house remodel and a new custom home built to their specifications on the site.
“If all that’s needed are repairs, cosmetic work, modernizing the kitchen and baths, an addition to accommodate children or create a multi-generational environment, a remodel can sometimes be more economical. And, it may be possible for the family to stay in the home while we work.
“However, the new custom home will incorporate all the latest, most energy-efficient materials and features, which means savings in terms of energy consumption going forward.”
Recently, Homeworks completed a home in Palolo for an owner who chose to demolish an existing 85-year-old home that had developed structural problems beyond what could be corrected in a cost-effective way. However, the owner was satisfied with the size and basic layout of the old home on the 6,789-square-foot lot.
Together with the Homeworks design/build team, they worked out a design and floor plan, and the result was a 1,552 square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath island-style home that perfectly suited the lifestyle of the occupants. Tyically, the kitchen in the previous home had been small and closed up. The new kitchen opens to the main living areas and includes a walk-in pantry as well as abundant cabinet space. Natural cross-ventilation was created by window placement and enhanced by ceiling fans in the living room, kitchen and both bedrooms.
Working with Homeworks Construction, a Waialae Kahala property owner was able to replace his 50-year-old house with a new custom-built two-bedroom, two-bath home for under $400,000, including demolition. The owner noted that potential budget problems were overcome by “a lot of careful advance planning, teamwork, and some compromises.”
The Homeworks design/build team will be at Booth 170 at the Home, Garden, & Remodeling Show at Blaisdell Center June 10-12. You can also make an appointment for a free, on-site consultation and reserve your space at the free Homeworks Build New Or ReDo Seminar June 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the company showroom, located at 2111 S.Beretania St. Call Homeworks at 955-2777.
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