Why Hawaiʻi Homeowners Trust Graham Builders

[00:00:00]Welcome back to the best of Hawaii on Island Life Live and since 1990, the knowledgeable and experienced team at Graham Builders has been crafting quality homes designed to last for generations.

[00:00:10]>> A commitment to excellence that has made them one of the best of Hawaii and we welcome Lenore Smith. She's our client care manager. How you doing, sir?

[00:00:18]>> So good. Thank you so much for having us.

[00:00:20]>> Yes, along with Amalia Yee, she's our lead designer for Graham Builders.

[00:00:24]Ladies, thank you for being here and congratulations on being named one of the best of Hawaii.

[00:00:29]>> Thank you.

[00:00:30]>> that mean for you folks?

[00:00:31]>> It's huge. I'll be honest, we were quite shocked. We we weren't expecting it. So we are very happy to hear from you guys and that we were a winner. So who doesn't like to win?

[00:00:42]>> That's right. [laughter] >> I've seen the the work you guys do is amazing, beautiful work you guys do. So Lenore, let's start with you. Tell us how Graham Builders got started and why the design-build process is important to you and the homeowners you guys serve.

[00:00:55]>> Sure, sure. So we started back in 1990.

[00:00:57]Danny Graham, the owner, he started a company. We are design-build. Now we weren't always design-build. We started actually just strictly as construction and it wasn't till a couple years later that we decided, you know, we realized how important adding the design factor to our company helped benefit not just the homeowner but the the entire team involved. Huge benefits.

[00:01:23]>> Oh yeah, absolutely. And Amalia, as a lead designer, well, first of all, I'm just going to back up just a little bit for those that are watching and don't understand what design-build is. Can you quickly explain what that means?

[00:01:33]>> So design-build is where it's a one-stop shop. You hire us and we will do the design for you and then we transition from the design into the construction and we do both sides. So it's a lot less coordination on your part as a homeowner and it's a lot easier for you to control the process also and that means the budget, too.

[00:01:53]And it's a you're more likely to get what you want in a design build process.

[00:01:59]>> We customize your design to your budget.

[00:02:02]>> Oh, okay.

[00:02:02]>> So, things work hand in hand and that's I think so important because, you know, often times people come in, they come from an architect, had their plans drawn out, not realizing how much it was going to cost and realizing they couldn't afford it.

[00:02:13]>> Oh, I see.

[00:02:15]>> where we come in.

[00:02:16]>> So, you guys walking with us the whole step um the whole process and then being transparent about all of these things.

[00:02:21]>> Absolutely.

[00:02:22]>> makes sense. [clears throat] I like that. Now, um since 1996, Graham Builders has been offering something for free to help property owners understand the build process. Yeah.

[00:02:32]Tell us about that.

[00:02:33]>> We have our monthly seminars and we've been doing it month every single month and believe it or not even during COVID. We were having it on Zoom. Nothing stops us.

[00:02:41]>> 30 years of free seminars?

[00:02:43]>> Yes, free seminars every single month.

[00:02:45]So, you can't make it the first month, come to the next one or the one after that.

[00:02:48]>> What do you folks talk about?

[00:02:49]>> It's a free no sales pitch seminar and we we we do it as a customer service to anyone and everyone, whether you work with us or not, you hire us or not. We just want to educate homeowners when it comes to this process cuz a lot of people don't know what it's like. They don't know how to prepare. What are the first steps? What is How do I plan for this financially?

[00:03:09]That's where we come in.

[00:03:10]And it's free. Honolulu Country Club. We do offer breakfast.

[00:03:13]>> [laughter] >> Wow, I like that.

[00:03:17]>> Come for the breakfast and leave with lots of great lots of great knowledge, right? Yes.

[00:03:22]>> Oh, for sure.

[00:03:23]>> Malia, we got just about 30 seconds. So, if somebody is wanting to come and visit you guys, Graham Builders, what is the one thing they should think about first as far as from your perspective as being the lead designer?

[00:03:34]>> So, they should be thinking about who they are. Like, what do I want to get out of this? Because a home is a big investment emotionally and financially and it is something that you can leave to your children also.

[00:03:47]So, think about what are your priorities? What do you need from a new home or renovation, and what will make you happy?

[00:03:55]>> Okay. Oh, wow.

[00:03:56]>> Beautiful. I love that. And then, of course, take advantage of that wonderful monthly free seminar. Lenore Smith and Malia Yee, this is Graham Builders.

[00:04:05]Check them out. grahambuilders.com is that website? Yes. Absolutely. Thank you, ladies, and congratulations once again on being one of the best of Hawaii.