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What's the difference between transportable homes & relocatable homes?


As technology develops so does the way in which our homes are constructed. There are many types of house construction, such as traditional homes, modular homes, prefab homes, relocatable homes and also transportable homes. But what makes these homes different? 

No matter what kind of construction process the home goes through the end result is always the same, right? Technically a home is a place where someone lives permanently, it has a sturdy floor and 4 well-sealed walls and is usually warm and dry. However, the way a house is constructed differs and can benefit the homeowner in many different ways including cost, sustainability and even durability. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the differences between transportable and relocatable homes so you can understand which one might be the right type for you. 

What is a transportable home?

A transportable home is usually a newly constructed house that is built in one location, often in a factory, and then once constructed, is transported to a different location using a truck. A transportable home is built to a plan that the owners have chosen just like a traditional home. The transportable home design may also have custom features that the owner has chosen to suit their lifestyle, this may include adding an extra bedroom, a scullery in the kitchen for extra storage or even a walk-in wardrobe which comes off the master bedroom ensuite. The options can be endless and many transportable home designs are not restricted, which is a very common misconception due to the fact that they are delivered from one site to another via a truck. 

One of the biggest benefits of a transportable home is that they are typically prefabricated meaning they're constructed in a factory and not hindered by disruptions such as weather conditions resulting in faster construction time. This means a transportable home can be built and delivered to site in as little as 20 weeks! Houses built indoors, under controlled environments, can be built up to 40% quicker than a conventional home. A transportable home generally only makes one trip, from the factory to its final resting place and this is one of the key differences between a transportable home and a relocatable home.

What is a relocatable home?

Unlike a transportable home which is a newly constructed, and typically prefabricated house, delivered to a site and left there permanently, a relocatable home is commonly either an older home being relocated off its original site to be moved elsewhere or is a home designed to be situated semi-permantently with the flexibility to be moved time and time again, almost like a tiny home.

With more and more new developments taking place around New Zealand many regions are seeing an increase in available relocatable homes on the market, many of which are solid, well designed and available for purchase and relocation. These are often older villas where the new owner needs the land for a newer home. This option is very popular for those that are looking to get on the property ladder as relocatable homes are a more affordable option. Not to mention older homes are usually rich in character features, often boasting beautiful timber elements which can be very expensive when building new.

On average a relocatable house can cost anywhere from around $16,000 for a small house in average condition to about $100,000 for a larger home. Although it is possible to find a cheeky bargain going for $1 on TradeMe every now and then. But keep in mind there will need to be substantial DIY to get these homes up to the government’s healthy homes standards

When it comes to choosing the right home for you we suggest making sure you do your due diligence and your own research, weigh up all the pros and cons and then consider talking to specialists.

As we mentioned before, technology is changing and new forms of house construction and processes are rapidly adapting with the times. Even though transporting a house from one location to another, whether it is a brand new home or a second-hand home, can be an additional cost. When doing your research, you may actually discover that choosing transportable can still end up being a lot cheaper than the overall cost of building a traditional home.

If you would like to check out our range of new transportable prefab homes on offer, download our latest product catalogue today.

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