With 2015 now underway, the professional team at HK Construction has some vital planning tips for homeowners looking to achieve their new year’s home renovation resolutions.

The experienced staff at HK Construction helps homeowners make the building and remodeling process as seamless as possible by working with them to craft a creative plan through which the desired work will be completed. Creative planning is important to make the best use of space available to help fulfill the needs of local families, including adding an addition, renovating existing interior spaces and better utilizing space available within a home.

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While it may be clear to homeowners as far as the work that needs to be done to improve one’s home, there are many specific and time-sensitive steps that must be fulfilled prior to securing a permit in order to begin construction. Alan Twu, vice president of HK Construction, suggests that those interested in starting a project in the near future should begin the planning and design phase soon because the process will take “typically anywhere from a month to two months to complete a plan.”

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Once plans are completed, homeowners are required to submit a permit along with the contract and supporting documents in order to secure a construction loan from a financial institution. That financing process typically takes between 30 to 45 days, while the permitting process usually takes upwards of 30 days for new home projects. Twu also noted that the State Historical Preservation Division requires those with homes built more than 50 years ago apply for approval before alteration to or demolition of the existing structure takes place — this process can add another 45 days to the process. A survey of the property is also required to establish the actual boundaries of the area prior to construction. This process is now mandatory for all new-build construction and must be completed before a permit is issued and construction commences.

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“We want homeowners to know what is required nowadays to build a home and provide an accurate timeline of what they can anticipate,” Twu said. “If you start planning at the time when interest rates are good, by the time the plans are done and approved, that interest rate has most likely gone up.”

A good first step in learning about the home building process and determining what can be done to enhance one’s existing home is to attend one of HK Construction’s home building seminars. Questions will be answered at that time, and interested parties also may set up a free on-site assessment.

HK Construction will be holding three seminars this week: Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pearl Country Club; Friday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall conference rooms; and Saturday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Savings Financial Services Center in Kahala. Call 841-1800 for reservations or to get more information on upcoming seminars.

HK CONSTRUCTION
contact // 841-1800
web // www.hkchawaii.com

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