What you need to know…

How much does the HABODE Classic MK2 cost?

The current price of the house is *$285,000 NZ. Added to that are the site specific costs as detailed below, and any optional extras which you may choose. Click here to see the Specifications page and the Optional Extras. Be assured that we will always be transparent in our costings for your home and site.

*This price is subject to currency exchange fluctuations.

Are there any design fees?

No. Unlike a traditional house which is designed by an architect or a drafts person, a HABODE Classic MK2, HABODE Gable and the HABODE Multifab comes pre-designed and is Multiproof Certified as compliant to the Building Code. On average, an architect will charge anywhere between 10% and 15% of the final building cost; therefore purchasing a HABODE eliminates this hefty extra fee.

Do you provide the land?

You will need to provide a piece of land for us to deploy your home.

Are all sections suitable for a HABODE?

HABODEs have been located in a variety of challenging locations but you will need to provide us with your site location address and section title number so we can make an assessment of the suitability of access and deployment options.

Do HABODE manage the Building Consent process?

Building Consent must be granted before we can deploy your new home. We can do this on your behalf for an extra fee but, if you would like to manage this yourself, we can advise you on the process you will need to undertake with your local Council. If you are managing the Building Consent application yourself, we will provide you with a copy of the Multiproof Certificate which the Council will need to process your application.

The Building Consent process for a customised bespoke home will take generally a minimum of 20 days and often weeks longer. Because a HABODE has a Multiproof Certificate, your Building Consent application should be processed in as little as 10 days making it a much faster process.

Are there any other reports required?

Prior to applying for Building Consent, you will need to obtain a Geotech report conducted by a qualified Geotech engineer as we need to know the quality of the soil and whether site specific engineering needs to be carried out. This report is required as part of your Building Consent application. It is also used by a structural engineer to determine the construction of the foundations and if, for example, the section is on a slope, whether a level platform may need to be created.

Do I need to prepare the land prior to my HABODE arriving on site?

Possibly, but we arrange for the foundations to be erected on site by a local builder. The Geotech report will let us know the type of piles that need to be constructed before deployment plus whether the land needs to be levelled or cleared in any way. If you use timber posts in concrete this process will take a minimum of ten days. If screw posts are used it can take as little as three days to prepare.

When your HABODE is due for deployment, you will need to ensure that we have clean, clear access for either a truck or a crane to unload/lower it onto the piles. A crane is only used when a side lifter truck cannot place the building on the foundations by itself, which would be due to a lack of flat access and/or orientation of the building on the site.

Does my HABODE need to be wired and plumbed on site?

Your HABODE home comes fully wired and plumbed but will need to be connected to services once on site. We ask that our customers arrange this with local plumbers and electricians with assistance from us.

Where do you manufacture your buildings?

Guangdong Province, China.

Why don’t you manufacture in New Zealand?

Manufacturing is a process of mass production and therefore we need a minimum quantity to be cost effective. Manufacturing in China gives us the flexibility to a greater workforce of skilled production-orientated staff with a production mindset, and multiple large manufacturing facilities that don’t exist in New Zealand. There are no facilities in New Zealand known to us that offer an outsource supply for manufactured homes. Also, the cost of transport between the North and the South Island of New Zealand is significantly greater than shipping from China to multiple ports in New Zealand. We are also governed by the current lack of available specialised manufacturing personnel as much of our componentry is customised shapes and profiles that are not available in New Zealand.

How do you transport a whole house overseas from China?

We remove the exterior walls and windows, place them in the centre of the building and then fold the building like a butterfly closes its wings - our patented copyright system. The size of the building is then exactly the same as an international shipping container format and dimensions. It is then wrapped in a protective weatherproof material to arrive unscathed into New Zealand.

What on-site costs are there extra to buying the HABODE?

Foundations, and connection of storm water, waste water, power and telecommunications.

Does the price include shipping to New Zealand?

Yes.

Does the price include transportation to my site location?

We contribute $1,000 towards the transportation costs from port to site. Depending on the distance and road accessibility to your section, there may be an extra charge which you would be liable for.

How is my HABODE moved from a transportation truck onto the foundations?

Subject to site, we can lift it straight off a side lifter container truck. Otherwise, we will use a crane. Crane costs will be an extra cost and charged out at an hourly rate as quoted.

Can installation be achieved on a rural site?

Yes, but subject to access. For example, some bridges/culverts cannot take the weight of a truck and load, and weather can affect the ground conditions and crane use. Also, you will need to consider costings around installing a sceptic tank, roof water collection supply, and connection to power and internet.

How do we pay for our new HABODE?

On signing of our contract you pay a $10,000 deposit and then a further 50% of the final sum after any Resource and/or Building Consents are granted. Payments are made on achieved milestones in each project - the timing of which is confirmed with each individual client when they order.

How do we pay for site works?

You will pay us direct for the site works as they occur. This will include any land preparation, eg. clearing and removing tree stumps or preparing vehicle access. These fees may also include any foundation engineering that has been identified through your Geotech report - plus the actual foundations - as the work occurs. You will pay your local Council direct for all Building Consent fees.

What comes included in my new HABODE home?

A fully fitted kitchen and bathroom with standard appliances which are functional once connected to services. If you have chosen, for example, a fridge/freezer or an air conditioning unit as ‘extras’ these will be supplied and ready for use before you move in. There are many optional extras including decking, sun shades and cabinets which you can find HERE.

How do I know how to maintain my new HABODE?

We provide you with a Schedule of Maintenance which tells you which parts of the house will need to be checked/maintained, how it should be done, how often and the best time of year to do it. This Schedule includes information, for example, on clearing gutters, washing the exterior of the house and inspecting roof flashings.

If I damage any part of my HABODE, what should I do?

Just contact us direct and we will be delighted to assist with any spare parts, plus advice on how to repair items, or what type of tradesman you will need to hire.

If there is anything else you’d like to know, please contact us and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.