Model
One-bed cabin
20–30 m², full consent path, lives as a self-contained home.
The most-built model in NZ. A single bedroom downstairs (or a queen loft above the lounge), small kitchen, full bathroom with shower and either a flushing or composting toilet. Built to NZS3604 or as a relocatable building under MBIE guidance. Council consent is required because it has cooking and sanitation; the consent process typically runs 8–14 weeks, and a code-of-compliance certificate is issued at the end.
What's included as standard
- Full timber framing to NZS3604, H1.2-treated bottom plates
- Stained vertical cedar or coloursteel cladding
- R3.6 wall / R5.0 ceiling insulation
- PGDB-licensed plumbing rough-in & fit-off
- Bathroom with composting or flushing WC, 800mm shower
- Galley kitchen, induction hob, 200L heat-pump hot water
- Argon double-glazed thermally broken aluminium windows
- Code of Compliance Certificate on completion
What you'll pay for separately
- Site works, foundations & connections (separate scope)
- Council consent fees & inspections (passed at cost)
- Off-grid power kit (specify the off-grid model instead)
Consent posture
Full building consent required (it has cooking & sanitation). Lodge as a minor dwelling on rural-zoned land or a secondary dwelling on residential where rules permit.
Best for
A permanent home on a rural-residential lifestyle block, or a Granny flat on a larger urban section.
Builders
10 builders build the one-bed cabin
Auckland · Kumeū
Kauri Tiny Co
Rodney-based one-bed and two-bed specialist with a six-month order book.
From $138k
Auckland · Warkworth
Rodney Relocatables
Sleeper-cabin and one-bed factory builder, delivers to Auckland & Waikato.
From $38k
Waikato · Te Awamutu
Te Awamutu Tiny Builders
Family-run multi-model shop. Quietly the most-recommended in Waikato.
From $34k
Bay of Plenty · Pāpāmoa
Pāpāmoa Tiny
Coastal-spec one-beds with marine-grade fixings and aluminium cladding.
From $145k
Wellington · Carterton
Wairarapa Tiny Builders
Wind-rated, cold-climate spec — built for hill-country sites.
From $124k
Canterbury · Rolleston
Selwyn Small Homes
Cold-climate one-bed and two-bed for lifestyle-block Canterbury.
From $118k
Canterbury · Akaroa
Akaroa Cabins
Off-grid specialists. Half their builds never see the grid.
From $162k
Otago · Cromwell
Alpine Tiny Co
Queenstown-Lakes spec. Built for snow load and the coldest winters.
From $175k
Manawatū-Whanganui · Palmerston North
Palmerston North Tiny Works
The country's largest tiny-home factory. Eight builds in production every month.
From $36k
Manawatū-Whanganui · Whanganui
Whanganui River Tiny
Off-grid focus, river-country specialist with rainwater & dispersal expertise.
From $138k
Case studies
Real one-bed cabin builds
Hana, Kumeū
A consented one-bed cabin on a Kumeū lifestyle block
A 26 m² one-bed cabin built as a minor dwelling on a 1.2 ha block. Full council consent, pole foundations, Code of Compliance issued. Plumbing and power tied into the existing house services.
$168.4k · 16 weeks on site
Ngaire, near Martinborough
A wind-rated one-bed in the Wairarapa hills
26 m² one-bed cabin on a hilltop above Martinborough. NZS3604 Extra High wind zone. Continuous tie-down from rafter to slab; aluminium battens chosen over timber for the southerly.
$152.8k · 18 weeks on site