Question 1

How is the insulation and energy efficiency?

Accepted Answer

Our standard units use high-density EPS or polyurethane sandwich panels. Beyond that, you can upgrade the insulation (see the upgrades on each model page) to keep it warmer in winter, cooler in summer and cheaper to heat.

Question 2

Are the homes optimised for New Zealand's climate?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Designed with New Zealand's high UV index and coastal environments in mind, our external claddings undergo rigorous anti-corrosion and weather-tightness treatments. The roofs are engineered to handle high wind zones and heavy rainfall.

Question 3

Are the homes watertight?

Accepted Answer

Weathertightness depends on the unit and the installation together. The units are designed and built to be weathertight — robust flashing and sealing throughout — but that only holds once the unit is expanded, sealed and finished correctly on site, on a base that drains properly. Weathertightness is one of the most consequential things in New Zealand building, so we won't give you a blanket guarantee over an installation and a site we haven't seen. Have it installed by an experienced team, and talk to us about your site.

Question 4

Can I customise the design or layout?

Accepted Answer

Every home comes with the same specification — engineered stone benchtops, SPC flooring and double glazing as standard. You can add individual upgrades on top: extra rooms, decks, kitchen upgrades and more. Interior finishes, window placements, and bathroom fittings can all be tailored to suit your lifestyle and budget. Ask us which certifications the fittings on your chosen specification carry — we'll confirm it in writing on your quote rather than generalise here.

Question 5

Can your expandable homes be used as a granny flat or minor dwelling in NZ?

Accepted Answer

It's what most of our customers buy one for. The Comfort 20, 30 and 35 come with a kitchen, a bathroom and their own front door, and all three are under the 70m² floor area limit in the granny flat exemption; the Comfort 40 is under it only with the 2.2m ceiling. The Studio has a bathroom and a kitchenette, and on the Ready 20 the kitchen and bathroom are options. Floor area and self-containment are only part of it. Whether your build is actually exempt, and whether it meets the minor dwelling definition in your district plan, depends on your site — boundary setbacks, siting, and who carries out the structural work. Your council is the one who confirms that. See our Granny Flat page for the conditions.

Question 6

Are your units considered portable homes, modular houses or transportable homes?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our expandable homes fit all three categories. They are portable because they arrive by truck and can be moved again later. They are modular because they are factory-built in standardised sections and assembled on-site. They are transportable because they ship as a compact unit and expand to full size. This flexibility means they can serve as portable cabins, transportable homes, relocatable homes, or modular houses depending on your needs.

Question 7

Can an expandable home be used as a tiny home or backyard cabin?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The Studio (about 25m²) is our most compact model, with a bathroom and a kitchenette: a tiny home, backyard cabin or home office. The Comfort 20 (36–40m²) has a full kitchen and bathroom and still fits most backyards. Every model is engineered for NZ wind, snow and seismic loads and fully insulated.  What you are permitted to do with the unit depends on your site and your council, so talk to us before you commit to a particular use.

Question 8

What's the difference between your expandable homes and container homes?

Accepted Answer

Unlike repurposed shipping container homes, our units are brand new and purpose-built. They use container dimensions for efficient global shipping but are engineered from the ground up with proper insulation, ventilation, and weather-tightness. This means better energy efficiency, no chemical residue concerns, and structural engineering to NZ wind, snow and seismic loads — at a comparable or lower price than most container home conversions.

Question 9

Do I need my own land?

Accepted Answer

Yes: the home goes on land you own, or land where the owner agrees to it, such as a parent's or a family member's section. It sits on timber piles or a concrete pad, so the site needs a level spot the truck can reach. What is allowed on that site is for your council to confirm; we give you the measurements and drawings to take to them.

Question 10

Can you deliver to a farm or a rural property?

Accepted Answer

Yes, anywhere in New Zealand, from $24,000. People use them for farm workers, family on the farm and lifestyle blocks. The truck needs a route it can drive to the spot, including the farm track; tell us about gravel roads, gates, bridges and slopes and we check access before delivery. Off the grid, a self-contained septic system is one of our accessories, and power and water are connected by your own electrician and plumber. Need more than one home? Ask us and we quote them together.

Question 11

What kind of foundation is required?

Accepted Answer

Foundations must provide a level, structurally sound base. Depending on your site's soil and slope, common choices include engineered timber piles or a concrete pad. Even under the 2026 exemption, ensuring your foundation is stable and compliant, especially concerning natural hazards, is a key homeowner responsibility.

Question 12

What is the installation process? Does it include utility connections?

Accepted Answer

Our team or your builder will unfold and secure the structural module on your foundation. Note that New Zealand law strictly requires all final water, drainage, and electrical connections to be made by a locally Registered Plumber and Electrician, who must supply their respective Safety Certificates (and Records of Work) upon completion to satisfy the final sign-off.

Question 13

Can the home be moved later?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The highly modular nature of our expandable units means that they function as non-permanent structures. If you ever need to relocate, the unit can be disconnected, folded back up by professionals, and transported via base trailer or truck.

Question 14

What is the turnaround time from order to delivery?

Accepted Answer

For our standard inventory available in Auckland, delivery can be arranged within days. For custom orders, allow about 3 months for delivery to your closest major NZ port. The final 30% is due when your home arrives at the port, before pickup or delivery.

Question 15

How do payments work?

Accepted Answer

Three payments. You sign the build agreement and pay a 30% deposit, which secures your production slot and starts manufacturing. A further 40% is due once your home is built — we send you detailed photos and video to review before you pay it. The final 30% is due when your home arrives at the nearest NZ port, before pickup or delivery. The exact schedule is confirmed in writing on your quote and build agreement.

Question 16

What's included in the price — and what's quoted separately?

Accepted Answer

Listed prices are NZD and GST-inclusive, and every home comes with the same specification — the configurator prices your layout and upgrades as you go. Transport to your site and any site preparation are quoted separately, because both depend on where you are. New Zealand law requires the final water, drainage and electrical connections to be made by a locally registered plumber and electrician.

Question 17

Do you offer financial loan services?

Accepted Answer

We don't provide direct financing. We work with independent finance providers who understand the unique nature of modular and transportable homes — our finance partner in New Zealand is Nobilo Finance. Any lending is arranged directly between you and them, on their terms, and they decide what they can offer. You can apply online on our Finance page, or talk to us and we'll point you in the right direction. We're not a financial advice provider, and you're under no obligation to use them — see Disclosures at the foot of this page.

Question 18

What warranty do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We back our homes with a 3-year structural warranty and a 1-year warranty on fixtures and finishes. These sit on top of your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act — those apply automatically and nothing in our warranty reduces them. Your building contract states your protections in full.

Question 19

Do I need council approval for an expandable home? (2026 exemption)

Accepted Answer

It depends on your site, and the rules changed in your favour in January 2026. Resource consent: In many Auckland planning zones (like Single House Zone), a granny flat under 65m² (excluding decks/garages) acting as a 'Minor Dwelling' secondary to your main house may not need one. The NES-DMRU standards removed the requirement for many more sites. Building consent: Since 15 January 2026, under MBIE's guidance, a new single-storey granny flat up to 70m² can be exempt — but the exemption belongs to a build that meets every one of MBIE's conditions, not to a product. See the next question for the full list. Which of these applies to your property is a question for your council. We can tell you the unit's dimensions and specification; we can't confirm your site qualifies.

Question 20

What are the specific conditions to qualify for the 2026 Exemption?

Accepted Answer

Here are the hard requirements for the exemption: • Maximum internal floor area of 70m², and single-storey. • Built with lightweight materials (e.g., roof ≤ 20kg/m², wall ≤ 220kg/m²). • It must be standalone and at least 2 metres away from any legal boundary or other residential buildings. • It must contain independent cooking and bathroom facilities. • Even though a building consent is exempt, all structural/waterproofing work must be completed by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), and plumbers/electricians must provide official compliance certificates.

Question 21

What about the Building Code and consent?

Accepted Answer

Our plumbing and electrical systems have passed their certifications.  Being exempt from a consent doesn't mean exempt from the rules — your building must still comply with the NZBC. We provide a materials and certification pack to support the LBPs in issuing the final completion certificates (Record of Work), and if your project falls outside the exemption limits we can connect you with local licensed experts to handle the council process.  For exactly where things stand for your site, come and see us in Pukekohe or give our team a call on 022 593 0090.

Guidance & FAQ

Product specs & quality

Use cases & terminology

Site & installation

Purchase, delivery & warranty

Policies & consents

Guides & resources

10 things to know before buying an expandable home

Granny flat rules in New Zealand

From deposit to move-in

How buying works

Choose a size

Add what you need

Sort the money

Sign and pay the deposit

Delivery and install

Are they made from used shipping containers?