Over the past three decades, Graham Builders has created scores of comfortable homes that fit the unique needs of multigenerational families.
Not long ago, a multigenerational ohana in Kaneohe found it necessary to expand their home to meet the needs of their growing family. With Graham Builders, they were able to keep their family together in comfort, while providing privacy for each nuclear family group.
Like many island families, this project consisted of the homeowner sharing her residence with her ohana. With three generations, including a granddaughter and her husband, all living together, and with the addition of a new great-granddaughter, the family realized it needed more space.
To make everything official, the homeowner added her granddaughter to the property’s title.
“Right away, the granddaughter and her husband started investigating financing possibilities,” explains Ryan Graham, vice president of operations for Graham Builders. “The entire family began talking seriously about the project, because they all understood that their whole group needed to provide input to make it work.”
Through that process, the family decided to work with a company that would handle everything: design, coordination, permitting, construction and warranty. They met with Graham Builders for a free project evaluation, attended one of the firm’s free monthly seminars, and liked what they saw and heard.
“When the young couple learned about our collaborative process and the steps we take to safeguard each project, they decided to hire Graham Builders for their addition,” says Graham.
The results are a home that offers her granddaughter a private sanctuary to raise her family. The custom addition — designed and built by Graham Builders — includes three bedrooms, all with spectacular views of the Koolaus. Since the addition was built over an uncovered patio, the space below has been transformed into a large, covered lanai. The master suite includes a full bathroom with low-step shower and ample walk-in closet. The remodeled family room in the old house has been converted into a living room, wet bar and stairway.
“It’s spacious, comfortable and perfect for their needs,” observes Graham. “Sharing family property has provided this granddaughter an affordable answer to the high cost of home ownership.”
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FOR ULTIMATE SUCCESS
Graham Builders’ focus on collaboration, applied with more than 30 years of experience, made this, like scores of its other multigenerational projects, a success.
“Building space for multigenerational families is trickier than designing a home for a single, nuclear family,” reflects Graham. “Special consideration must be given to each family group.
“A successful project requires homeowners to work closely with their architectural designers,” he adds. “Every family has its own unique set of requirements and needs. Graham Builders takes pride in knowing that each of our custom projects results in homes that fit the special needs of the family.”
A leader in the design and construction of multigenerational homes and aging-in-place design, Graham Builders is the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii Torch Award for ethics in small business. The next free “Building Your Home for Life” seminar is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. Register now at grahambuilders.com or call 808-593-2808.