Choosing a General Contractor in Honolulu, Hawaii - Remodel or New Construction
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Choosing a General Contractor in Honolulu, Hawaii -- Remodeling or New Construction

Hawaii Kitchen remodeling and home improvement



In Hawaii, all General Contractors must be licensed by the State of Hawaii. Subcontractors may or may not need to be licensed in order to do work on your home according to their professions. A homeowner may choose to be their own general contractor as an owner/builder, but this is highly discouraged as an owner/builder may not be aware of all of the liabilities, processes, and components of a major home remodel or new building in Hawaii.

Tips for choosing a General Contractor in Hawaii

Choose a contractor with experience and a proven track record building or remodeling homes in Hawaii. One of the best ways to choose a contractor is by talking to your kitchen designer and asking for their recommendations -- they will be able to recommend the best contractor based on the familiarity with the products you are using in your project, and will be able to determine how well they install cabinets and their overall experience in cabinet installation.

A General Contractor licensed in Hawaii is insured for worker's compensation, and is liable for protecting your property against damage due to construction, usually for a period of up to one year after completion. Make sure you discuss warranty issues with your contractor during the interview process. However, subcontractors hired by a homeowner do not fall under the insurance or liability of a general contractor if he/she did not hire them, which is why it is a good policy to let the contractor hire all of the subs. Discuss scheduling and timing with your contractor, and ask for references including names and numbers of past customers. Call those references, and note any problems and discuss them openly with your contractor. Whenever possible, visit past clients' homes to see the contractor's work first hand. Be aware that living on an island in the middle of the pacific has many challenges for building and remodeling, so remember to be flexible with schedules and timelines, as sometimes items such as building or finishing materials may not be available at all times, and products already ordered may be delayed due to supplier availability and shipping issues.

Check the licenses of potential candidates, and make sure they are in good standing with the State of Hawaii. If you see a problem with their record, ask them openly about any concerns you may have. It is really easy for clients and contractors to misunderstand or have expectations that vary greatly, so a complaint might just be the result of a communication problem.

If your project is out to bid, and one bid comes in considerably lower than others, make sure that the scope was properly understood. Don't automatically jump for the lowest bid that comes in, as this can be a sign of many problems to come. Generally speaking, if a bid looks too good to be true, it most likely is. Make sure that you discuss and are clear on payment schedules, contracts, obligations and other relevant items.

For smaller home repairs, a handy man may be enough to complete the project, however in Hawaii any job that exceeds $1,000 will require a licensed professional.




Susan Palmer Designs is based in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, but also does kitchen and bath remodeling design on outer islands including Maui, Kauai, Lanai, and the big island of Hawaii.

Visit our showroom at the Shops at Dole Cannery, or call us at (808) 599-7606 to set up an appointment today!










FAQ's: hawaii home remodeling | honolulu kitchen cabinets | kitchen design, countertops, appliances, & cabinets hawaii | hawaii vacation home remodeling | contractors in Honolulu, HI


Visit The Susan Palmer Designs Showroom

SUSAN PALMER DESIGNS
THE SHOPS AT DOLE CANNERY
650 IWILEI RD. SUITE #195
HONOLULU, HI 96819
TELEPHONE : (808) 599-7606
EMAIL:

SHOWROOM HOURS:
M-F 10:00 - 5:00*
SATURDAY BY APPOINTMENT
* we reccomend that you call ahead to schedule an appointment, as we may be out of the office on jobsites.

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