Frequently Asked Questions.

Modhaven is a company that designs and manufactures high-performance modular prefabricated homes, cabins, pods and tiny houses in Tauranga, New Zealand. We refer to the buildings we make as modules. Additional modules can be added to your Modhaven home in the future when you need to expand living or sleeping spaces in your home as your family grows or circumstances change.

We currently have a range of nine architecturally designed homes, pods, cabins and tiny houses and we have many more designs we can show you. We can also create custom designs for our clients. Whether you need a crib/bach at the beach, a unique AirBnB dwelling, a rental in the backyard, a granny flat, studio, luxury rural retreat or a bespoke forever home, our award-winning design team can create a custom design to fulfil your vision.

We build 2-storey homes, duplex townhouses and 2-storey multi-unit terraced housing. Contact our expert team to discuss your requirements.

Our prefabricated homes are manufactured inside our factory using high-performance Structural Insulated Panels for the floors, walls, and roof structure.

All of our homes are built in our Tauranga-based factory.

Yes, all of our construction complies with the New Zealand Building Code, and every new prefabricated home we sell is completed with a code of compliance before leaving our factory.

Yes. Our homes use Structural Insulated Panels, the ‘gold standard’ in environmentally-sustainable, energy-efficient, low-waste, recyclable and airtight construction. Our factory follows a stringent waste reduction, reuse, and recycling process. We source our timber materials from sustainable FSC forests. We use 100% recyclable non-toxic expanded polystyrene insulation that is 98% air. Our panels are cut with waste-optimised CNC technology to make the best use of every single wall, floor and roof panel.

Our standard range insulation R-Values begin at:

• • *Floors R3.76
  • *Walls R3.76
  • *Roofs R7.83

These R-Values are achieved with our unique, energy-efficient construction systems. Even in the coldest climate, zone 6 in the South Island of New Zealand, they achieve these exceptional values and also significantly exceed the new H1 energy efficiency code insulation requirements. With very little thermal bridging from timber stud wall framing, our insulated walls, floors and roof panels perform even better when accurately tested on-site. Environmentally sustainable, energy efficient, low waste, recyclable and airtight construction. Our factory follows a stringent waste reduction, reuse, and recycling process. We source our timber materials from sustainable FSC forests and use 100% recyclable non-toxic EPS insulation that is 98% air. Our panels are cut with waste-optimised CNC technology to make the best use of every single wall, floor and roof panel.

The standard wall height in a Modhaven home is 2.4m. The gable roof designs have raked ceilings that are much higher at the apex of the ceiling. The monopitch ceiling designs also are higher. 2.7m wall height is possible for custom designs.

We can assist with arranging a specialist foundation contractor to install the foundations for the building. Sometimes it may be necessary to hire a crane to lift your building into hard-to-reach locations like over existing houses or trees. Smaller homes can also be lifted by helicopter into remote locations or shipped by boat to the South island.

From there, you will need to employ an LBP builder, registered electrician, plumber and drainlayer to connect your Modhaven to the site services. We do not do on-site construction. You may need to engage an architectural designer to prepare plans and obtain building consent for your project. Talk to our expert team and we can guide you through this process.

Very broadly, if your home is a single storey, exceeds 30m2, or contains any cooking facilities, sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water, you are required to obtain a building consent.

Refer to https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/projects-and-consents/building-work-consent-not-required-guidance.pdf to view the building consent exemptions and requirements document from MBIE.

If your building is a single-storey, is sited a horizontal distance from the boundary equal to or greater than its building height, does not exceed 30m2 and does not contain any cooking facilities, sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; then it may not require a building consent.

We recommend you consult a licensed building practitioner or chartered professional engineer for advice. Talk to our expert team to discuss your plans.

Yes, Modhaven can assist you in obtaining building consent. We provide comprehensive architectural and building services, handling the entire process on your behalf. Our experienced team ensures compliance with building regulations and codes, streamlining the consent application process for a successful outcome. We manage the documentation, liaise with the local council, and keep you informed of progress. However, the final decision rests with the local council responsible for granting the consent. Reach out to our team for further assistance.

Yes, our construction technique is a smart modular system that allows for additional modules to be added in the future.

We are working on a range of flat-pack high-performance homes that can be delivered to your site and assembled by an owner assisted by an LBP builder or vice versa. Stay in touch with us for more details and watch this space.

Yes, at Modhaven we love helping our clients go off-grid. We help with solutions for solar packages designed to your requirements, these include; EV charging, composting and incinerating toilets, wastewater & septic systems, greywater systems, freshwater storage and much more.