These days, it’s more important than ever to embrace construction strategies and practices that provide greater financial transparency and control. “Cost overruns are common concerns on most renovation and construction projects,” reports Lenore Smith, client care...
It’s no secret that multigenerational housing is common in the Aloha State. In the 2020 census, 4.7% of all U.S. households reported themselves as multigenerational. Hawaii had the largest share of multigenerational households – an astonishing 9.1%. Also known as...
When Danny Graham launched Graham Builders 35 years ago this month, he couldn’t possibly have envisioned its future. In 1990, Graham, a McKinley High School graduate who had served in the Air Force, had successfully built a realty company and a water purification...
“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...
Have you ever thought about what you love most about your home? Maybe it’s the light-filled breakfast nook in your kitchen, or your quiet, private neighborhood. Perhaps it’s the garden you’ve carefully cultivated for years, or the great room where you’ve hosted family...
Almost all of us, at some point in our lives, have visited or lived in homes that were poorly built or designed, or both. From cluelessly conceived kitchens to badly built bathrooms, we’ve all seen houses that offer perfect examples of unfortunate design and...
Hurricanes, floods, and tsunamis are fairly rare in Hawaii, thank goodness. “But even milder weather events can cause damage to homes,” says Malia Yee of Graham Builders. “We make it a point to design every home for durability and resilience, based on its location and...
From the street, the house didn’t have much going for it. Built in 1960, the place was a fairly simple three-bedroom, two-bath ranch-style house, close to the majestic Olomana peaks in Kailua. “There wasn’t much about the front that felt welcoming or gave a hint of...
Embarking on a renovation or new construction project can be daunting even when costs are predictable. Uncertain times call for smart strategies. According to Ryan Graham of Graham Builders,the design-build approach can help homeowners get the most out of their...
Spring arrives this week, and you might be making a list of things you can do to help your house welcome the season. “Curb appeal is always a spring game changer,” says Malia Yee, lead designer for Graham Builders, the Honolulu design/build firm. “A new entryway or...