Building Forever Homes in Hawaii

In Hawaii, the combination of low housing-inventory, high prices, and demand for multi-family solutions means that local homeowners are designing and building with the long-term in mind. Marshall Hickox, President of Homeworks Construction, shared some common design and building themes; including flexible living spaces, energy & technology improvements, and multi-family living solutions that his clients have utilized to plan for the future and maximize space. Learn more about how local homeowners are building for today, planning for tomorrow, and preparing for their future homes in Hawaii.

Maximizing Flexibility
“Homeworks Construction is a design-build company and that means we work with our clients to develop custom solutions from the earliest inspiration photos to design and construction,” said Hickox. Clients have increasingly requested rooms that can serve multiple functions. A guest room that can also serve as an office, or a loft that can function as a play area or workout space. “Square footage is at a premium and we work hard to maximize that space for our clients,” added Hickox. Murphy Doors® and custom storage solutions are hyper-functional and space-saving; opening to pantries, and even serving as transitions between living areas.

Accessory Dwelling Units
The Homeworks President noted that more people are embracing the utility and cost-savings offered by Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs. “In Hawaii today, we are building for both multi-generational and multi-family living. This is cultural in some ways, but also makes maximizing space and sharing expenses easier,” offered Hickox. ADUs can either be attached or detached from the home. The structures have been supported through legislation to provide more housing solutions in recent years. However, ADUs offer a lot more. The structures provide privacy and security for aging parents or economical living spaces for adult children. “Ultimately, an ADU is an elegant and efficient way to support comfortable multi-family living and aging-in-place,”stated Hickox.

Sustainability and Cost-Savings
“Homeowners are embracing energy-efficient designs and technology, because it is a smart, long-term investment,” noted Hickox. Hawaii’s statewide clean energy goals mean incentives are accessible and available to homeowners. From water heaters and lighting to power storage and windows, there are ways to save money on upgrades now and in the future. For example, upgrading lighting systems to LED technology translates to energy efficiency, durability, and lifetime savings. “Energy prices continue to rise and sustainability and resilience is a concern that homeowners want to address during design and construction,” added Hickox. Smart home systems that integrate lighting, heating, and security controls are becoming part of the forever home concept, providing more control than ever before.

Building for the Future
The concept of building or buying starter homes in Hawaii is one that has virtually disappeared. “When facing a decision to re-build on a family lot or purchase a tear-down elsewhere to build new today, the vast majority know that this new home will be their final home. Homeowners today are building to meet their current lifestyle and planning for their family’s future needs too. This means more forgiving and flexible designs, multi-family spaces, and sustainable, cost-saving technology,” emphasized Hickox.

If you need help getting started, Homeworks Construction can help. Email or call for a free consultation or simply to ask questions. The company has not only designed and built custom homes across Oahu, but helped homeowners understand the building process and make informed decisions for more than three decades.

For additional home renovation insights, check out Homeworks Construction’s article, Smart Strategies to Optimize Your Home Investment.