Your guide to the top 5 prefab companies in New Zealand

When it comes to home building, more and more Kiwis are choosing prefab over traditional. 

After all, prefab homes are:

• Cost-certain – No need to stress about budget blowouts 
• More sustainable – Less waste during the manufacturing process + greener building products = lower environmental impact
• High-quality – A streamlined factory build means consistently durable houses (and less defects)
• Faster to build – Without weather delays and on-site surprises, it’s far easier to predict (and stick to) timeframes.

All this makes for beautiful, eco-friendly homes built quickly.

But here’s the thing: you need a company to design, build and manage your home. And whoever you choose has to be the right fit for you.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top prefab companies, what they specialise in and the factors you should consider before choosing one. 

 

But first: what makes a good (or great) prefab company?

When you start researching the best prefab homes NZ has to offer, it can feel overwhelming. 

Here’s what we considered when putting this guide together:

1. Quality – Companies who don’t cut corners, but instead produce high-quality, long-lasting builds every time. 
2. Sustainability – Those who are serious about the environment and use eco-friendly materials and building practices.
3. Design flexibility – Customisation is key here. The best builders adjust plans to suit your unique needs.
4. Customer focus – Does the company offer a full-service approach? Or will you have to be more involved in the building process than you’d like?
5. Timeframes – Projects that drag on will cost you more. Get a clear idea of timelines right from the start. Some companies offer guaranteed completion dates which makes the building process far less stressful.

 

The prefab companies we’re noticing

Here are a few of the prefab home builders you should know about:

• A1 Homes
• Advance Build
• Keith Hay Homes
• Nook Homes
• Transbuild.

Let’s look more closely at each of them.

 

A1 Homes

With multiple franchises across New Zealand, A1 Homes offers home builds, kit + transportable homes and cabins nationwide. They provide flexible options, from standard plans to fully customised designs.

Key points

• Established 20+ years
• Floorplan flexibility – including bespoke architectural designs
• Focus on sustainable products
• All homes come with a Master Build 10-year guarantee.

More information

https://a1homes.co.nz/

Location

Franchises across New Zealand.

 

Advance Build

Advance Build offers a hassle-free, full-service building experience for residential and commercial clients. Clients are taken care of from start to finish, with the knowledgeable team taking you through every phase of your project: design, permits, build, installation and handover. Advance Build homes are built within a fully enclosed factory, ensuring greater efficiency and quality control.

Key points

• Established in 2008
• All-inclusive, end-to-end service
• High-quality, durable homes
• Customisable designs to fit a wide range of styles and budgets
• Streamlined factory process means a guaranteed completion date
• 10-year building warranty.

For more information

https://advancebuild.co.nz/

Located

Auckland, Waikato, Whangarei, Northland.

 

Keith Hay Home

Kiwi-owned and operated, Keith Hay Homes provides transportable and pre-built homes across New Zealand. They have floor plans to suit all needs and budgets.

Key points

• Established in 1938
• Focus on locally-sourced products
• Extensive range of floor plans and design options
• 5-year guarantee on projects.

For more information

https://www.keithhayhomes.co.nz/

Location

Branches throughout New Zealand. 

 

Nook Homes

Based in Auckland, Nook Homes is known for functional, comfortable and stylish designs. Their customisable, architecturally-designed homes are constructed with quality and customer service in mind.  

Key points

• Established in 2019
• All-inclusive, end-to-end service
• Focus on using local products and brands
• First Kiwi company to offer modular construction on concrete slabs.

For more information

https://www.nookhomes.co.nz/

Location

Kumeu, Auckland, delivering across New Zealand.

 

Transbuild

Transbuild offers energy-efficient, eco-friendly transportable homes to residential and commercial clients across the North Island. 

Key points

• Established in 2012
• Awarded fastest growing construction business (Auckland and Upper North Island) in the 2022 Deloitte Fast 50
• Focus on minimising environmental impact
• Master Builders member.

For more information

https://transbuild.co.nz/contact/

Location

South Auckland, delivers throughout the North Island.

 

The easy checklist you need

There’s a lot to think about here. We get it. So, here’s a step-by-step list for choosing a prefab company.

1. Know your budget – and make sure the company you choose isn’t leaving anything out of their quote
2. Stay local – or confirm the company can easily get to your site
3. Check design flexibility – ask some sticky questions – you’ll soon see how willing they are to adjust!
4. Be sure about your sustainability goals – and clearly communicate these to your prefab company
5. Ask about time frames – these can differ greatly between companies, so it’s best to know upfront how long your project will take and whether they will guarantee a completion date.
6. Go with your gut – if something feels off at the start, it’s probably a sign of things to come. The right feel matters!

 

Ready to build one of the best prefab homes in NZ?

Looking for an experienced team who can support you through every part of your prefab building journey? Reach out to Advance Build today to arrange a consultation. Or, check out some of the homes we’ve built for happy clients.