| 21 T T Bernadette Cooney Transportable homes offer housing solutions Founded in 2016 by Victoria and Chris Travis, Exeter Homes are specialists in prefabricated transportable homes. Rotorua Business Awards: Exeter Homes “We purposely restructured the business from aiming for unlimited builds to aiming for 25 houses a year and ensuring our core staff deliver that one-on-one experience for customers.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rotorua-based construction company, Exeter Homes, is a finalist in two categories of the Rotorua Business Awards - Emerging Business Leader category and Primary Industries & Manufacturing category; nominations that highlight the family-owned business’s focus on innovation, and a client-centric build journey. Founded in 2016 by Victoria and Chris Travis, Exeter Homes are specialists in prefabricated transportable homes, built in their Rotorua factory then delivered directly to clients throughout Bay of Plenty, and the Waikato to Wellington. “Chris and I had our first child and at the time he was working as a fly in-fly out underground miner in Africa. We’d done a few property developments of our own, so we started the business to build new homes for ourselves, and the public while we were at it, and it blossomed from there,” says Victoria. Exeter Homes provides a full turnkey service, connecting utilities, adding decks, and ensuring the home functions and feels no different from a traditional build. For Victoria, the business award nomination is a chance to show that even in a tough construction climate, “mum and dad businesses” can thrive through smart decisions and a focus on its people. “Going through the awards process is a valuable experience,” she says. “We wanted to show that at a time of closures and failures in the construction industry, our model was not one of them.” “We purposely restructured the business from aiming for unlimited builds to aiming for 25 houses a year and ensuring our core staff deliver that one-on-one experience for customers.” Exeter Homes transportable home plans range from two to five-bedroom homes, many customisable, and with features not typically found in transportable housing, such as internal access garaging. The company has recently opened its show home featuring internal access garage and open for viewing six days a week at its Lake Road, Rotorua, premises. “We’ve gone for high ceilings and designer kitchen and master suite to prove that transportable homes don’t have to be small and pokey. You can have a beautiful designer home wherever you live.” This versatility is particularly useful in regions with limited builder availability, such as Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. “The difference is in our prefabrication quality control and the fact we can make projects happen in areas where builders are scarce.” Transportable homes are especially valuable for multi-generational living, rural worker accommodation, and infill housing in towns and cities. The benefits of Exeter Homes transportables for first home buyers and downsizers are clear as land and property prices continue to rise: speed and scheduling certainty, customisable plans and bespoke design, plus structural toughness withstanding the stress of transportation and firmly affixed to piles at destination. “We’re seeing more homeowners realising their equity to take up a transportable on an existing property with extended family or to help family get into their first home.” With its in-house team of designers and draughtsmen, Exeter Homes can handle a project from start to finish. The company also carries the assurance of being a Registered Master Builder and supporting local suppliers and tradespeople on every project.
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