Process for Building Container or Modular Homes with Us

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Process for Building Container or Modular Home with Us

About container structures New! Simple home while building

Double-wide Container Home Legal Single Container Apt.

Are you interested in a container structure or a modular home?

You can choose to obtain owner-builder permits, enlist a general contractor or have us or another company to act as construction managers under the owner-builder scenario. If you need financing to build, your mortgage company will almost certainly require you to enlist a general contractor and have the job bonded by a major lumber supply co such as HPM or other. We have a client who in September of 2008 finally worked things out and got his money to build. His contractor had to work with the lumber co, promising them in writing that a certain percentage of the loaned money would go to them. Because the need for lumber is much less than a traditional stick construction home, they had to promise to purchase landscaping materials, appliances and other things to hit that percentage. We now know it is possible, and plan to meet with that lender to see if they can work with our clients in the same way.
If you can avoid borrowing money from a Bank, you will save a lot of money and stress. The whole beauty of container homes is saving money hiring labor yourself and getting involved in the process as much as you can. It all starts with deciding on a design, either one we have already or creating your own custom design. We are working with and have had two major meetings with Hawaii County bldg and planning dept chiefs, trying to work things out. Our hopes of fast tracking the permitting process have been dashed for now. The county would like us to become a manufactured home entity so we can prefab as much as we can, and have almost everything signed off on before the modified containers leave the manufacturing site on Oahu. That is a major mission that we think would be great, but until we achieve that position, which is no small task, we plan to do as much as possible on Oahu, leaving the walls without drywall so the homes can be inspected in the normal manner. This means we would cut out and weld for doors and windows, install them, weld steel studs inside to hang drywall onto, run wiring and as much plumbing as possible, flooring installed and ship or truck out at that stage. From this point, the containers would be trucked or shipped to whatever island the home is to be on, and have them fork lifted onto the post and pier foundation already in place. From there, the rest of the construction takes place on site, with the usual inspections. The other option is to purchase our containers that are already in Hilo, Kauai and Oahu and not have us do any modifications. We are available to help you line up a welder and other labor, and consult with you and your labor help throughout the entire process if you wish. We do charge for our time and expertise. We speak with all kinds of professionals all day long on the subject, communicating clearly and effectively with contractors and sub-contractors. We have general contractors that we can recommend who know something about the process if you wish to go that route. Again, the more you get involved as owner-builder, the more money you save and the more control you can exercise. If you can afford to take it in stages and avoid borrowing from a bank, you will be much better off. Don’t forget- once the containers have landed, if it rains, you have the option to work on the interior. That option does not exist with stick construction. If time is money for you, having us do as much as possible will save much time for you. Hiring your own labor with our help will save you money vs hiring on a general contractor. Either way, the cost per square foot is much less than traditional stick construction.
We are in the process of writing a manual on how to do the entire process, but that will take quite some time. For now, we can consult with you or act as your construction manager. Give us a call from the Big Island at 935-1000, and all other islands can reach us at 953-2005.

Any container or container structure we sell outright that the client installs on his property is as is, where is. Client is 100% responsible to follow the laws and covenants, we are not in any way liable for our clients zoning and/or permit related violations should they occur. It is clients responsibility to know what the rules are where they are placing such structures. We can show you how to find out this information specific to your property.

We recommend you deal with the bldg and planning depts. in a very civil way. If you lose your temper with these folks, you always lose. We are not responsible for their decisions regarding your home. With plans submitted that are reviewed and stamped by either a licensed architect or structural engineer, it is these professionals job to resolve any issues possibly raised by the bldg and planning depts. regarding your homes design & structural integrity etc. It is much advised to let the folks we work with submit your plans through each dept. They know all these people very well, and know how to keep things moving nicely. The folks at planning and bldg do not really enjoy dealing with the public because they don’t like explaining everything in detail over and over again to people that are not well versed in this system. Because of this tendency, it is to your great advantage to let our team or your drafting/architectural team go thru this process for you and hand you your bldg permit. It costs very little, and can save you a lot of grief and frustration.

We now offer a low-cost structure to live in while building your
primary home! We even help you sell it when you’re done.

We do not yet offer in-house financing, but of course allow outside financing. Getting a mortgage Co to loan you money on a container structure at present is a bit challenging. They need to examine finished homes that are similar to evaluate how much they are appraised at as finished homes. When our current projects are completed, we will approach lenders with the intent of securing financing possibilities for clients. It is no small task, so we ask folks to please be patient. Remember, one of our clients succeeded in securing a loan for their container home. It was not easy, but it happened, and we look forward to many more success stories in the near and distant future.

Give us a call (see contact numbers below), or shoot us an email. We really appreciate your reading our posted info before contacting us as we are getting many lengthy inquires every day, and our time Is getting stretched thin, so read first so our consultations can be efficient and not take up too much time. If you are serious about working with us, we will give you the time it takes to satisfy you. Thank you.

Affordable Portable Housing

Oahu headquarters- 2065 S. Beretania Street Suite 102 Hon, HI 96826 808-953-2005
Container modification facilities at Kalaeloa, Oahu yard. (Near Campbell Industrial Park.)
By appointment only.

Big Island- PO Box 488 Pa'auilo, HI 96776 808-935-1000

Direct sales to all Hawaiian islands and the Pacific Rim.