Kitset homes and transportable homes are becoming more and more popular. But is one better than the other? We believe both types of homes can be a good option for everyday Kiwis in this current economically challenging time, but kitset homes stand out as having some key benefits which we outline below.
Site Access: If you have difficult access to your building site then a transportable home may not be a good fit for you. The truck and house combined require a lot of space so they can manoeuvre the building into place. Also, there are more restrictions around the gradient of the site and access roads from the manufacturer to the drop off address. Whereas with a kitset home, the deliveries are completed on smaller trucks which allows for easier site access with less restrictions.
Transport Costs: Because transportable homes are fully completed before delivery, the transport costs are considerably more than a kitset home. Transport costs for a transportable home ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 (including piles) depending on the distance and location of the building site. At Kit Homes our transport costs for all our kitsets range from $3,000 to $6,000. Furthermore, we deliver directly from our suppliers all over New Zealand, so have a better reach than transportable homes who mostly deliver from one location. And it’s important to note that you can’t deliver larger transportables overseas due to size restrictions.
House Design: With a kitset home you are not restricted by the design of the house, as materials are delivered in multiple stages and constructed onsite. Kitsets can be any size, shape and height. At Kit Homes our current kitsets range from 62m2 to 200m2 with larger designs in the works. Whereas transportable homes are more restrictive in terms of size, shape and height to allow for transporting to site. Maximum dimensions (rough guide) for transportable homes are the following: Width 9m, Length: 24m, Height: 4.2m.
Cost Saving: One of the biggest benefits of building a kitset home and where you can save a lot of money is the ability to complete some or all of the building work yourself and project manage. You might also have family members and tradie friends that can chip in and help. This leads to considerable cost savings compared to a transportable home which you purchase as a completed product.
Foundations: With a transportable home you are limited to a timber subfloor on piles, whereas a kitset home you have more flexibility with the type of foundation for your home. You can opt for the more standard concrete slab, ribraft and still can have a timber foundation if you require. With a kitset you can also have an internal garage as you are not restricted by the size of the kitset and type of foundation.
Rewarding: Managing and building a kitset home is very fulfilling and rewarding because you are contributing to the overall success of the build - definitely the kiwi DIY way.
In these current economic times it’s so important to research and consider all the ins and outs of building a new home so you aren't hit with any nasty surprises. What are the advantages of each option and what are the disadvantages? We hope that this blog will provide you with key information needed to navigate what should be an exciting and rewarding journey. Our team is always ready and willing to answer any questions you may have and support you along the way.