Freeing up capital for retirement, soaring rates, high rents and rapidly rising land values have more and more Kiwis thinking tiny. “Tiny homes have become a popular housing option for those looking to buy their own home, downsize, simplify their lives or minimise their environmental impact,” says Footprint Homes Managing Director, John Smith.
“A tiny home is also a great investment proposition if you have a reasonably sized backyard.”
As suppliers of flatpack tiny homes, granny flats and minor dwellings, Footprint Homes is making its mark across New Zealand. Demand is high, and there’s no sign of the market slowing. “People need affordable homes,” John says, “particularly with the current high interest rates, and the fact that land is expensive.”
While many younger people are building tiny in their parents’ backyards, thousands of Mums and Dads are selling up, building their own tiny homes and adopting new, financially freer lifestyles. “A tiny home is also a great investment proposition if you have a reasonably sized backyard. A two-bedroom, 50 square metre tiny rental will provide income on land that was previously costing property owners to maintain.”
Footprint’s flatpacks contain everything from light gauge steel framing to wall linings, insulation, pre-hung doors, thermally broken double-glazed windows and exterior doors, Coloursteel roofing and a choice of claddings. “We offer either prefinished Coloursteel or fibre cement cladding, which is sourced from Innova in Perth, the biggest manufacturer in the world,” says John.
Steel framing is John’s preferred framing material for its lightweight – a third that of timber – “straight and true” qualities and 50-year design life. Footprint Homes are designed to go the distance. Meanwhile, Wildboar Surefoot concrete-free footings make foundation construction a breeze. When it comes to interior fixtures and fittings, clients can cherry-pick from a range of kitchen and bathroom furniture, floor coverings and appliances.
Footprint Homes uses a network of trusted licensed building practitioners contracting directly with the client to take its flatpack homes from the foundation level to a fully closed-in, lock-up shell or completed home with a Code of Compliance Certificate. Footprint Homes is also an agent for Warkworth ITM’s timber-framed, relocatable Habitat Housing range.
© Waterford Press Ltd 2024 – Independent Print Media New Zealand
