Kauai I
Kukui’ula, Poipu
Kauai Custom Home Builder
Genova has built custom homes on the California coast since 2008. Our first Kauai homes are now under way in Kukui’ula on the south shore, built for salt air, trade winds, and the realities of building on an island.
Building in Kauai
A custom home is the largest thing most families ever build.
It is drawn once, built once, and lived in for decades.
So we build a handful a year, and none of them get rushed.
Our homes on Kauai
Two homes in Kukui’ula: one under construction and one still in design. Every image of a house not yet built is marked as a rendering.
How the house gets built
The same five steps on every home we build, whether it sits on the sand or on a mountainside.
01
The first conversation
You talk to Brad or Josh, not a salesperson. Your site, the house you want, and whether we are the right fit for it.
02
Drawings and a real budget
Bring your architect or use ours. We price the house line by line from real subcontractor numbers, not allowances.
03
Approvals and a schedule
We carry the house through Kauai permitting and hand you a real schedule before anything breaks ground.
04
Construction, books open
A superintendent on site every working day, and invoices and schedule you can look at whenever you want.
05
The punch list, then the years after
We walk the house with you until it is genuinely finished, and the same people look after it once you move in.
Questions people ask before they hire
How long does it take to build a custom home on Kauai?
Longer than on the mainland, mostly before construction begins. Community design review, County of Kauai permits and, on many coastal parcels, a Special Management Area review come first. Once building starts, the schedule depends on ordering materials early, because most of them arrive by sea.
What approvals does a Kauai custom home need?
In planned communities such as Kukui’ula, the design review board approves the house first. The County of Kauai then reviews plans and issues building permits, and parcels near the shoreline may need a Special Management Area permit as well. We plan the design around these reviews from the start.
How does the island climate affect how the home is built?
Salt air, strong sun, humidity and trade winds are hard on a house. We specify corrosion-resistant hardware, durable exterior finishes, termite-resistant framing and structure designed for hurricane wind loads, so the home holds up for decades.
How do materials and logistics work on Kauai?
Most materials are shipped from the mainland, so we finalize selections early, order with long lead times and stage deliveries on site. Planning this ahead is what keeps an island build on schedule.
Can a builder based off the island build well on Kauai?
Yes, with the right structure. Every home has a project manager on site, the work is carried out with experienced island trades, and the partners are on island through each stage of the build.
How much does it cost to build a custom home on Kauai?
There is no honest per-square-foot figure. Shipping, site conditions, coastal and wind requirements, and the level of finish all move the number. We give a clear budget once we have seen the lot and the design.
The south shore of Kauai
Our Kauai work is on the south shore, around Poipu and Kukui’ula. Every home has a project manager on site, and the partners are on island through each stage of the build.
Service areas
- Kukui’ula
- Poipu
- Koloa
Build in Kauai
Tell us about the project and where you want to build. Brad or Josh will read it and reply within two business days.
Step 1 of 3
Your details
Building your dream home and have questions?We're always reachable. No pressure, just a conversation.
Let's talk