At Moa Mansions, we know that building a tiny home is more than just construction—it’s a personal journey from your first spark of inspiration to stepping over your threshold for the very first time. Below, we walk you through what to expect at each stage of our design and build process, illustrated by one of our latest concept drafts.

Concept Drafting: Bringing Your Vision Into View

Our process begins with a one-on-one design consultation where we listen to your lifestyle needs and site conditions. From there, our in-house drafting team produces a detailed 3D concept render (pictured above) showing:

• Sleek, single-slope rooflines for optimal rainwater run-off and solar access

• Floor-to-ceiling glazing on the north face to flood your living zone with natural light

• A timber deck for seamless indoor-outdoor flow—perfect for al fresco dining or morning coffee

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You’ll review this render alongside preliminary elevations (side views) that label materials (corrugated shadowclad, aluminium joinery) and key dimensions. At this stage, we welcome your feedback on colours, cladding profiles, window locations, and deck depth to ensure the concept truly reflects your style.

Floorplan & Layout: Optimising Every Square Metre

Once the exterior look is nailed down, we turn our attention to the floorplan. Here’s what this concept shows:

• 10 m² bedroom with built-in wardrobe

• Open-plan living and kitchen (approx. 15 m²), featuring an island bench for casual dining

• Compact bathroom/laundry combo to maximise efficiency

We work with you to adjust room sizes, storage solutions, and even add a flexible nook (office, hobby space, or extra wardrobe) so every metre serves a purpose. You’ll receive a scaled PDF you can print out and mark up—your final approval triggers our move to the next phase.

Council-Ready Elevations & Documentation

With layout locked in, we prepare the full set of NZ3604-compliant elevations and site plans required for council consent. These drawings include:

• Accurate levels and footings to suit coastal, flat or sloping sites

• Cladding and flashing details certified to withstand our famously wild West Coast weather

• Drainage and subfloor protection notes to protect against moisture ingress

We coordinate directly with your choice of engineer (or ours) and handle lodgement, so you can cross “consent application” off your to-do list.

Interior Styling & Finishes: Crafting Your Dream Space

While consents are processing, it’s time to select:

• Joinery profiles—sleek matte-black handles or classic stainless steel?

• Bench and cabinetry finishes—timber veneer, stone-look laminate, or anything in between

• Flooring, lighting and fixtures—we’ll help you balance cost, durability, and aesthetic

Our interior render (above) gives you a photoreal preview of your chosen palette. You’ll know exactly how that pale sofa will sit against the rich charcoal cabinetry before we place an order.

Build & Delivery: Quality, Speed & Transparency

With drawings approved and materials on order, our West Coast fabrication workshop swings into action:

1. Off-site panel construction using ITF modular systems for ultimate precision.

2. Quality checks at every stage—insulation, framing, weather barrier, cladding.

3. On-site assembly by our Christchurch and Greymouth teams, even in tight-access locations (just 1 m clearance required).

We’ll keep you updated with progress photos, and once the final screws go in, we run through a snag-list inspection so nothing is overlooked.

Handover & Warranty: Peace of Mind Built In

On handover day, we’ll walk you through:

• Operating your ventilation and off-grid systems (if specified)

• Maintenance tips for cladding, deck boards and flashings

• Registering your 10-year licensed build warranty

And because we stand by our work, our local teams remain on call for any questions or future add-ons—decks, pergolas, carports—you name it.

Ready to See Your Tiny Home Dream in 3D?

Whether you’re planning a coastal retreat near Haast, a hillside hideaway in Karamea, or an urban micro-home in Christchurch, Moa Mansions makes the process clear, collaborative, and truly yours.

Contact us today for your free concept consultation, and let’s bring your tiny home vision to life—draft by draft, beam by beam.