16 | Waikato Business Awards: RoomMate Cabins Waikato BUSINESS A pioneering thought puts firm a step ahead Paul Hayes and Katherine Leamy. “We could see the potential for business to grow…” Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? R PlaceMakers (07) 838 0716 HAMILTON CITY TE KUITI (07 ) 878 8149 MORRINSVILLE (07) 889 8057 Small enough to care, big enough to rely on For Service & Quality Work . For all New Installation & Maintenance 31 Studholme St, Morrinsville 07 889 6918 www.silvesterelectrical.co.nz 10 Lawrence Ave, Te Aroha 07 884 6521 “They make an ideal other room and the larger size is big enough to have a sofa so a young couple, moving back home for instance, still have a measure of privacy.” T Sue Russell Paul Hayes and Katherine Leamy bought RoomMate Cabins Waikato in 2009, though the history of the business stems back to 2003. Back then, the concept of renting cabins for short to medium term, for a variety of purposes, was a pioneering thought. Today, cabins on private sections are a relatively common occurrence. “We had a friend who already owned a franchise and thought it was a good business,” says Paul. It also afforded Paul and Katherine an important work-life balance, with Katherine working four days a week, giving Paul time to be with the family. When the couple took up the franchise it came with 113 cabins. “We could see the potential for business to grow but weren’t sure.” As it happened growth did occur, with 10% year on year for the first two years and then the couple introduced another option given demand. So the 2.4m x 4.2m cabin came into being, joining the original 2.4m x 3.6m standard cabin. Cabins are leased on a minimum 6-month basis and delivered and settled on site. A three pin plug affords power into the cabins, which are fully insulated. Today, the average rental period is 9-months. “With the larger cabin that we have it is more comfortable for longer-term use.” Rental charges per week currently run at $85 for the large cabin. Given the strain on finding rental accommodation, there’s an increasing demand. “They make an ideal other room and the larger size is big enough to have a sofa so a young couple, moving back home for instance, still have a measure of privacy. Cabins certainly have become a legitimate accommodation solution.” RoomMate Cabins are manufactured in Tauranga. Paul and Katherine’s franchise area covers an extensive track over Waikato, from Raglan in the West, south to Piopio, west to Te Aroha and north to Meremere. And with COVID, has come further demand, coupled with shortages of materials slowing down production of more cabins. RoomMate Cabins Waikato also services the rural market with farm-worker accommodation. Their website, has extensive information and a FAQ page, to help those initially inquiring, with basic facts. It also offers viewers a series of floor-plan suggestions to accommodate just a bedroom, a bedroom and living area and an office space, to name a few. Being part of a nation-wide franchise which has developed a solid reputation has enabled RoomMate Cabins Waikato to grow solidly. That, and a lot of hard work. “We find this business works perfectly for our lifestyle and situation. It’s good to see we’re able to assist people in all sorts of situations to find quality accommodation at reasonable prices.
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