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You've Already Won the Hardest Part.
Build costs are high and builders are booked out — but none of that matters as much when you already own the land. Seven ways Kiwis are using sections they already have.
Tiny homes in Wellington.
Steep sections, serious wind, and the access problem that shapes every quote.
Wellington's terrain is the whole story. A unit that lands for one price on a flat Waikato paddock can cost significantly more here once you factor in a crane with reach, traffic management, and piled foundations on a slope.
The upside: small footprints suit small, awkward sections better than any conventional build.
What's different about building here
Wind loading is not optional
Confirm the design and tie-downs are rated for a high wind zone, and that the supplier has built in one before.
Get the access priced first
Before comparing suppliers, get a realistic craneage and traffic-management estimate for your street. It can be the largest single variable in the project.
Compact suits the housing stock
Older suburbs have plenty of steep back sections that will never take a full build but will take a small one.
Short-stay reference rates
Indicative average nightly rates we use in our backyard income calculator for Wellington. Actual rates vary by season, site and standard of finish.
| Size | Avg nightly (NZD) |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $160 |
| 2 bedrooms | $200 |
| 3 bedrooms | $255 |
Reading for Wellington
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