When planning a new custom home, major renovations or additions to an existing home, the first step should be selecting a licensed, experienced contractor. But there’s another important consideration: What kind of experience does the contractor have? Not all contractors, although licensed and experienced, have a track record of building on problematic or challenging sites. If the property is sloping, in a neighborhood with narrow streets, close to other homes or ocean-front, there could be significant challenges. Before making a decision, ask the contractor to provide photos, descriptions and cost information for projects similar to yours. Ask for addresses where you can view their projects, whether completed or in progress.
Over the past 16 years, Homeworks Construction has handled virtually every type of construction project — from simple renovations to large custom homes built on the ridges and oceanfront in Waikiki.
“One of our most challenging projects was a luxury home we built in the gated community, The Pointe, in Hawaii Loa Ridge,” said company founder and CEO Jim Byxbee. “The architect, Richard Bass AIA, chose Homeworks as the general contractor. The tri-level house is at the edge of the cliff on a lot with steep, difficult access. Site preparation involved breaking up rock and hauling it away. Preparing the foundation is the most important phase of a job like this … and finding rock on a site is a mixed blessing because it contributes to the stability of the structure. Despite the difficult topography, we were able to incorporate a swimming pool into the plan.
“Our designers and builders met a similar challenge at a four-home subdivision we developed at Kahala Kua involving grading raw land, building roads and installing utilities. Here we oriented the homes so all would have privacy and ocean views. Each has an entirely different design. One owner whose house was close to the edge of the cliff with limited level outdoor space wanted a swimming pool, which required massive footing work and retaining walls. The design plan was very successful with the main living area opening up to the view and swimming pool.”
Homeworks recently completed a moderately priced home on a sloping lot at Kamehame Ridge where the challenge was to provide a view of Maunalua Bay to the main living areas. The solution was to design a layout with the living room, dining area, kitchen, a bedroom and bath on the upper entry level, and additional bedrooms and baths downstairs.
Homeworks met the “oceanfront challenge” with a luxurious custom-designed home at 3047 Kalakaua Ave. The only single-family home on the Gold Coast, it is currently listed by Gold Coast Real Estate. “This home has three master suites upstairs, an elevator, private park at the edge of the seawall, a heated salt water pool, spa and security camera system,” Byxbee said. “We had to deal with tight access and little or no parking, creating difficulties in delivering materials. As with any build close to the ocean, special permitting is required and water runoff regulations must be observed. Oceanfront construction is a real specialty.”
The Homeworks Build New Or ReDo radio program is broadcast Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on KHVH Radio AM830. Listeners can call host Jim Byxbee and co-host Rick Hamada on air with their questions (521-8383). For a free consultation, call Homeworks at 955-2777.
ADDRESS: 2111 S. BERETANIA. ST.
CONTACT: 955-2777
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