| 105 T T Russell Fredric Bright outlook for award-winning brand Versatile is a builder of a wide range of quality homes – including award-winning bespoke builds. BUILDING Versatile Homes - Invercargill While acknowledging the new-home market has been challenging, Versatile Buildings Southland director Brad South is optimistic about the year ahead on the back of a buoyant finish to 2025. Consumer confidence boosted by falling interest rates has been a big driver behind a good level of enquiries leading to building contracts being confirmed or in progress for houses, garages and rural buildings, Brad says. “Especially in the last few months as interest rates have gone down, there’s a lot more enquiry for outbuildings, whereas before it was too expensive to get the garage, shed or farm building they were looking for.” Brad is also seeing a swing towards a higher percentage of new-home builds. With focused marketing nationally highlighting Versatile as a builder of a wide range of quality homes – including award-winning bespoke builds – the product mix has likewise changed from about 90% outbuildings to 60% outbuildings and 40% houses, Brad says. “The number of houses we build has really picked up for us. We sold three houses off one build that we did, just by showing people the house.” Until recently, Versatile Buildings Invercargill’s display site included the Advantage 30, a smart, functional self-contained unit, which has proved popular. It comes complete with kitchenette, relaxing living area, separate bedroom with storage and an ensuite bathroom. The versatility of the unit is reflected by what they are being used for: one as an Airbnb, one for parents living on the family’s property and the other for single elder housing. The Advantage 30 display unit, valued at $175,000 completed, has been sold and is being replaced with a 60sqm Advantage, a neat pavilion-style home that is quickly becoming a Kiwi favourite. This home’s clever open layout of galley kitchen, concealed laundry and spacious living area, plus a generous main bedroom with a handy single room or office and a verandah provides everything needed in a compact space along with indoor/outdoor flow. The Advantage ranges in size from 30sqm to 100sqm, offering value for money and plenty of potential for first-home buyers, investors, empty-nesters or as a holiday home, and comes in gable and monopitch roofs with a level of customisation available to suit individual needs and preferences. While the new planning rules have relaxed the boundary setback requirements for granny flats of up to 70sqm, Brad still recommends obtaining a building consent for peace of mind and to avoid potential future complications. “You’ve still got to have your sewer and stormwater consented, but it does allow people to have [suburban] infill building without too much red tape.” Versatile Buildings Invercargill is currently building two pavilion-style Advantage 90 farm-worker accommodation units on a dairy farm near Gore. Clad in stylish vertical corrugated coloured steel, the compact but well-considered design comprises two spacious bedrooms and a large, inviting kitchen, dining, and living area, with a generously sized garage, plus a verandah, which adds a practical element during wet weather or for enjoying down time on fine days. The farmer client wanted to provide quality, functional accommodation for his staff, Brad says. “They are durable, easy care, low maintenance.” The current favourable prices being paid for sheep, beef and dairy, in addition to the low interest rates, is great for the Southland economy, and for some – both rural and urban – it could be a great time to consider their house or outbuilding options, Brad says Southland Plumbing & Pumps 85 Bill Richardson Drive Avenal Invercargill (03) 214 3136 Need Water Filtration? New House Pump? For all your Domestic & Commercial Plumbing, Gas Fitting and Water Filtration needs. Section Clearing Digging Foundations Filling Foundations Driveways Drainage Concrete Breaking & Removal Demolition of Houses or Garages Post Hole Boring (from 250-600mm) Trenches for Drainage Stump Removal Big holes, small holes, square holes, round holes, deep holes, shallow holes... we can do it all! 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