From the workshop
Stories & updates
News, advice and behind-the-scenes from our Raglan workshop.
Tiny Home vs Traditional Build NZ: Cost, Timeline, and What You Actually Get
How a tiny home compares to a traditional site-built house in New Zealand - price, build time, quality, and which option makes sense for different buyers in 2026.
Backyard Sleepout Guide NZ: Sizes, Consent Rules, and What They Cost
Everything you need to know about backyard sleepouts in New Zealand - how big you can go without consent, what they are used for, and what you should expect to pay in 2026.
Passive vs Economy: Which SHS Insulation Level Is Right For You
The difference between Smart Housing Solutions' Economy and Passive ranges - what changes in the spec, and when it is worth paying for the upgrade.
Transportable Home Delivery in NZ: How It Works, What It Costs, and What to Prepare
The full picture on transportable home delivery in New Zealand - trucks, cranes, site prep, permits, timelines, and how delivery is priced.
Tiny Home vs Granny Flat NZ: Which One Fits Your Property
The differences between a tiny home and a granny flat in New Zealand - what they are legally, how they compare on cost and use, and which one suits multi-generational living.
Best Tiny Homes for Lifestyle Blocks NZ: What Works on Rural Sections
The best tiny home and cabin options for New Zealand lifestyle blocks - farm cottages, teen retreats, worker housing, and second dwellings on rural sections in 2026.
Financing a Tiny Home in NZ: Loans, Deposits, and Repayment Terms
How tiny home finance works in New Zealand - the loan types available, deposit expectations, typical repayment terms, and what to think about before applying.
Custom Tiny Home Design NZ: How Much You Can Change, and How the Process Works
How custom tiny home design works with Smart Housing Solutions - the options you can change, the 29 Coloursteel colours, and how the process works from first idea to delivered home.
Raglan-Built Tiny Homes: What NZ-Made Actually Means
Why NZ-made matters when you are buying a tiny home or transportable home - what genuinely local manufacturing looks like, and what to look for when comparing builders.
Tiny Home for Airbnb in NZ: What to Know Before You Buy
Using a tiny home as an Airbnb or short-stay rental in New Zealand - the council rules, the practical setup, and what makes a tiny home work well for guests.
Best Transportable Homes NZ: What to Look for in 2026
What actually makes a transportable home worth buying in New Zealand, and how to compare builders, specs, and pricing before you commit.
Best Tiny Homes NZ: What to Look for Before You Buy
A practical guide to finding the best tiny home in New Zealand - what separates a quality build from the rest, and what you should expect to pay in 2026.
Teenage Backyard Cabins in Aotearoa
How a backyard cabin gives teenagers room to grow - without sending them too far from home.
The New Family Estate: Blending Traditional Homes with Tiny Homes for Generational Living
Generational living in NZ in 2025, with tiny homes and cabins making it possible.
Lease-to-Buy Cabins and Tiny Homes - A Game Changer for New Zealanders Facing the Cost of Living Crisis
How a lease-to-buy model opens up cabins and tiny homes as a real path to ownership in a tough NZ housing market.
Why Steel is the Smart Choice for Tiny Homes and Cabins
Why we favour steel framing over traditional timber for our tiny homes and cabins.
Affordable Housing NZ
How tiny homes offer big solutions for affordable, eco-friendly living in New Zealand.
Modular Tiny Living - The Vision
How Smart Housing Solutions started - our own family's tiny living story.
Why Dynex Palliside is the Ideal Choice for Our Tiny Homes
Why we chose Dynex Palliside cladding for our Premium and Deluxe builds - stylish, low maintenance, and tough enough for NZ.