There are many expenses that need to be accounted for when planning to build a home in Hawaii. The type of property, permit acquisitions, land fees, the location of the construction area, customizations, and many other aspects all must be factored into your budget. For those deciding whether building your own house in Hawaii is a worthwhile investment for you, the knowledgeable contractors at Tal Builders have created this comprehensive cost guide addressing homeowner’s most frequently asked questions and breaking down the costs to build a house in Hawaii.
What is Cheaper? Build or Buy a House in Hawaii
On average, buying an existing house in Hawaii is cheaper than building a new one. However, by building your own home, you have the liberty to customize your space to best suit the needs and lifestyle of you and your family.
As of April 2023, the median sale price of a home bought in Hawaii was $679, and though the state average for building a home is $412,840, this figure does not include the costs of permits, land acquisition, excavations, and other expenses. The average price of a house in Hawaii ranges between $400,000 to $600,000, however, this price can reach millions depending on customizations and the build type.
Cost to Build a House in Hawaii
In Hawaii, the average cost to build a house is $206 per square foot. This figure however excludes permit fees, land prices, excavations, and other costs. There are several factors including the number and type of features and customizations, the land location, labour and material costs, and other expenses that influence the build’s final price.
| Average Home Building Costs in Hawaii $412,840 | $412,840 |
| Average Range $400,000 – $600,000 | $400,000 – $600,000 |
| Minimum (800 sq. ft.) $164,800 | $164,800 |
| Maximum (5,000 sq. ft.) $1,030,000 | $1,030,000 |
Average Cost to Build a House in Hawaii by Square Footage
In Hawaii, the construction cost for varying home sizes in square footage has the following average price ranges:
| Home Size | Average Price Range |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $20,000-$215,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $305,000-$320,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $410,000-$425,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $515,000-$530,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $620,000-$635,000 |
Home Building Costs in Hawaii Breakdown
The building costs of new home construction in Hawaii are categorized into either hard costs or soft costs.
Hard Costs
Hard costs refer to the direct expenses incurred during the home-building process, and they play a crucial role in estimating the overall completion of a project. A few examples of hard costs are materials, contractor(s) charges, HVAC installation, etc.
| Name of Cost | Average Cost |
| Material | $147,500 |
| Contractor(s) Charges 10% – 20% | 10% – 20% |
| Electrical | $7,500 – $12,500 |
| Roof Installation | $5,300 – $59,600 |
| Plumbing | $12,000 |
| HVAC Installation | $12,500 |
Soft Costs
Soft costs are expenses that directly contribute to the building process. When constructing a home in Hawaii, the soft costs you will encounter are permit costs, design costs, etc.
| Name of Cost | Average Cost |
| Land | $13,000 Per Acre |
| Permit | $5,000 |
| Home Interiors | $20,000 |
| Home Interior Designer | $5,400 |
Financing Options for New Home Construction in Oahu
By preparing a budget and getting an estimate of how much money you need, you will be better prepared to handle the costs throughout the project. If you do need financial help, there are the following home loans available at your benefit:
Home Construction Loan: The two most prominent types of home construction loans are construction-to-permanent loans, which cover both building costs as well as land purchasing, and construction-only loans, which does not cover the land purchase as it is meant only for financing the home building.
Personal Loan: Does not cover your entire home-building cost. It’s used to finance a specific part of the construction. For example, if while budgeting your home-building finances, you forgot to account for landscaping, a personal loan can come to your rescue.
Home Equity Loan: Applies to homeowners who want to finance the construction of a new home but also already have a property of their own. You can finance the entire construction of your new home or just a part of it depending on how much equity you own in your existing home.
Thinking About Building a Custom Home in Hawaii?
If you own the land in a location that is desirable to live in, and you have the time slotted and the finances set aside, building a home in Hawaii may just be the best option for you!
We hope this cost guide has helped you today understand some of the factors that contribute to the average costs of choosing the building route, and if this is of interest to you, contact the professional contractors at TAL Builders today to get started planning to build your dream home.
