“A simple thing done well is better than a complicated thing done poorly.”
The adage may be an old one, but it applies beautifully to construction and renovation in these modern times.
“Over-design, in terms of space and complexity, is a bit like overeating,” says Evan Fujimoto, president of Graham Builders, a Honolulu design/build firm. “It might be exciting as you add bells and whistles, but later on, you might find yourself groaning under the weight of a hefty mortgage, or dealing with unused spaces that are challenging to maintain and keep clean.”
Try to be practical and sparing in your vision, suggests Fujimoto. “Remember, the more complex space you add, the more cost you add. And the shape of your design also has a tremendous effect on cost. A square or rectangular home with a simpler roof is easier and faster to build than one with odd shapes and multiple roof pitches.”
Design professionals create value
At first blush, trying to design and build your own home might seem like a great way to save money. But there are many compelling reasons to hire design and construction professionals.
“Professionals create value through good design,” says Fujimoto. “We bring sensible, informed strategies to every aspect of a project — how we situate a home on a property; how we create good proportions, hierarchies, and scale; how we develop good circulation, maximize space efficiency, and build rooms that are furnishable appropriately.”
A competent design professional, he explains, is able to unify myriad construction details, utilities, code and zoning requirements, civil/structural/architectural components, finishes, surfaces, environmental solutions, and more, into a cohesive solution that addresses the owner’s needs, wants and desires, schedule, and budget.
Designers are trained to create spaces that are efficient and flexible, to develop smart storage solutions, and to find materials, finishes, and fixtures that are cost-effective but appealing to the homeowner’s aesthetic. They work with builders to identify potential hidden costs, and prevent overruns.
“Last but not least,” says Fujimoto, “the design professional knows how to create well-layered spaces that flow, and that are functional, safe, healthy, and easy to maintain — homes that excite the eyes and hearts of the owners.”
Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. Plan your dream home with Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on April 5th. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.