Hawaii Handyman Guide to State Regulations
Chapter 444 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) requires that a licensed contractor be hired for any construction work which is more than $1,000 or for which a building permit is required. This contractor is considered the responsible and liable party of record for the construction described in the permit.
Property owners who are building or improving their own home or business site, however, can register as an Owner-Builder with their county building department. This exempts owners from the requirements to be licensed as contractors, yet still allows them to obtain building permits.
In order to protect and inform consumers about the legal consequences of being an Owner-Builder, the law requires that each applicant must sign a Disclosure Statement provided by the county building departments. This page discusses some of the major responsibilities and potential liabilities of being an Owner- Builder.