Which one is right for you?
Able Spaces has been manufacturing portable, prefab homes for almost 10 years. During this time we often get asked about the differences between transportable homes, prefab, modular, kitset homes and relocatable homes.
The short answer? The majority of these homes are all fixed permanently to your site and when built well, will appraise the same as a conventional build, while costing you less to build your new home. Once these homes are delivered to their final location and fixed to their foundations, they are as permanent and durable as a conventional house build. Tiny homes are the exception to this. Let’s break it down.
What is a transportable home?
Transportable homes are exactly what they sound like – homes built offsite and delivered to your location. Constructed in a factory setting, they’re a cost-effective option for a new build, because the build process is faster and unaffected by weather delays. Another major benefit of factory builds is superior quality control. Able Spaces homes are transportable homes, constructed under cover at our factory in Upper Hutt, Wellington, then delivered to site.
What is a prefabricated home?
Prefabricated homes are virtually the same as transportable homes. Both are constructed in a factory before being delivered to your site, sometimes in two sections that are reassembled on location. At Able Spaces, our homes fall under the prefabricated category as they are also factory-built and delivered ready for installation.
What is a modular home?
Modular homes are built in factories and provided in parts, or “modules”. They are designed like building blocks, to be reassembled on the build site.
What is a kitset home?
Kitset homes are delivered as individual pieces to be assembled on your site. They’re ideal for locations where delivering a fully built home is not possible due to access issues. They are also ideal if you’re wanting to build two stories.
If your site is in the wider Wellington area, our team can inspect it to determine whether a kitset option is best for you. We also offer on-site building services locally. For clients outside Wellington, we supply the kitset home for you to assemble or we can help you find a contract builder.
What is a tiny home?
Tiny homes do not have a standard definition but are generally up to a maximum of 48m2 and are not fixed permanently to the land. They are comparable in scale to a large caravan. Tiny houses are usually built on a trailer so are mobile. Tiny homes do not tend to hold their value like other options such as prefabricated / transportable, kitset and relocatable homes. We do not build tiny homes at Able Spaces. We value quality homes for everyday Kiwis that will increase in value.
What is a relocatable home?
Relocatable homes refer to pre-owned homes that are resold for relocation. Companies like Brittons House Movers specialise in these older homes, which differ significantly from our newly built, factory constructed transportable homes.
Ready to learn more?
We hope this guide has answered your questions. For additional information, visit our FAQ page or get in touch with us directly. Call 0800 277 223 or email sales@ablespaces.co.nz.
When you choose a home from Able Spaces, you will deal directly with our owner, Norma McCarthy, ensuring peace of mind throughout the process. (Have you seen our case studies and Google reviews?) All our homes are built with high quality products, they are fully insulated and double glazed and covered with a Registered Master Build 10-Year Guarantee. Plus we offer extensive customisation options to create the home of your dreams.
Contact us today for a no obligation chat.
