With its almost-unmatched beauty, it’s no surprise so many individuals and commercial enterprises want to settle down in Hawaii. But paradise does come at a price. Although people often have a rough idea of how much working with a professional building contractor in Hawaii is going to cost, the actual price is typically triple the estimate. There are, however, several good reasons why building on the islands is more expensive than on the mainland.

Why Construction Projects in Hawaii Are Expensive

1. Shipping Costs

Working with a building contractor to complete a construction project involves many moving parts, none of which come cheap when Hawaii is where you’re planning to break ground. When people concoct project estimates in their head, they’re usually working with information that applies to the mainland, not Hawaii. Because the building materials usually have to be shipped out to the islands, their cost skyrockets above mainland prices.

2. Finding a Qualified & Experienced Building Contractor

Even when the materials have safely arrived, you still need to find a building contractor who is licensed, insured, and experienced in handling the unique challenges island construction can sometimes throw into the equation. A worthwhile contractor will also be able to assist in finding quality materials and handling the logistics of shipping. In the long run, working with a legitimate and reputable contractor is worth every penny because of the quality and longevity of the finished project. It is also imperative that home owners use a local architect.  Our local architects are much more in tune with the field conditions in Hawaii than most architects in the mainland. What they think should work here, just doesn’t.  Your contractor and architect should work hand in hand with as much experience between them as possible for the best result.  Hands down, do not scrimp on this phase. 

3. Price of Materials Suited for the Environment

The materials typically seen in building and home improvement stores usually aren’t a good representation of what is actually needed to build a quality structure in Hawaii. The additional shipping fees have already been mentioned, but special considerations need to be taken to account for the island environment. Materials need to be able to withstand the sun, moisture, humidity, and salinity of a tropical climate, meaning much of what is on the shelf in a big box home improvement store on the mainland simply isn’t an option. Buying good materials that will stand up to our unique environment is more expensive but is also the only way to avoid serious and even costlier replacement issues down the line.  You might save now, but will have to replace those cheap items several times over in their lifetime to combat mold, mildew, rust and corrosion.  In the end, you spend more in replacement by trying to build cheap.  

People are always shocked on how much it costs to build on Kauai, or in Hawaii in general.  Not many contractors that I know of are getting rich off building homes. It is simply the cost of doing business in Hawaii which in every market is handed off to the customer in one form or another.  As they old saying goes….” you get what you pay for!”  Put your best foot forward toward one of the biggest investments of your life.  You won’t be disappointed.  

Curtis Law Construction is the go-to building contractor in the Lihue, HI, area. With more than 48 years of experience in the industry, the company’s professional team expertly assists both residential and commercial clients looking to building from scratch or spruce up an existing structure with improvements. For more information, call (808) 246-0676 or visit the website today.