Buyer Information

Portable Cabins FAQ

Thinking about buying a portable cabin but not sure how delivery, setup, services or council requirements work?

Here are answers to the questions we are asked most often.

Our cabins are designed to give you a comfortable, practical space to live in while retaining the flexibility of a genuinely portable cabin. They are built on their own trailer chassis and can remain there after delivery, giving you the option to relocate the cabin in the future if your circumstances change.

Built to move. Made to live in.

Viewing, Delivery & Site Access

When can we view your cabins?

You're welcome to visit us and view our cabins at:
‍804 Kahikatea Flat Road, Waitoki 0871

‍Our usual viewing hours are:
‍Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
‍Saturday: 9.00am to 12.30pm, by appointment
We are closed on public holidays.

If you have a particular cabin model in mind, contact us before visiting so we can confirm what is available to view.

How are the cabins delivered?

Our cabins are designed to travel on their own trailer.

Depending on your location and site, we can tow the cabin to your property or arrange transport with a trucking company where that is the more practical option.

Access and delivery requirements vary depending on the cabin size, distance and property, so we'll discuss these with you when arranging your purchase.

Can we tow the cabin ourselves?

Yes, provided your tow vehicle and equipment are suitable for the particular cabin.

As a general guide, you will need a vehicle with an appropriate tow rating - commonly up to 3.5 tonnes for our cabins - together with the required brake controller installed in the tow vehicle.

Some wider cabins are over-width vehicles when travelling on public roads and require the appropriate hazard panels.

You should also advise your insurance company before towing the cabin yourself.

If you're unsure, talk to us. We can arrange delivery instead.

What are the site and access requirements?

A flat or near-level site is required.

As a general guide, allow approximately 3.5 metres of clear access, together with sufficient overhead clearance from trees, eaves, wires and other obstacles.

You also need enough room to manoeuvre the cabin into its final position.

Every property is different, so send us photos or talk to us before delivery if access looks tight.

How high and wide are the cabins?

Cabins are approximately 3.25 metres high at the highest point.

Internal height is approximately 2.3 metres through the centre and 2 metres toward the sides.

Overall width varies by model from 2.4 metres to 2.7 metres. The roofline widths on all cabins are approximately 3.05 metres.

Check the specifications for your chosen cabin and allow additional clearance for delivery.

How long is the drawbar?

The distance from the tow hitch to the front of the cabin is approximately 1.4 metres.

The drawbar is retractable and can slide back under the cabin once it has been positioned.

Trailers, Portability & Council Requirements

Does the cabin stay on its trailer?

Yes - and in most situations we recommend that it does.

Our cabins are purpose-built on their trailer/chassis and are designed to remain genuinely movable.

The trailer isn't simply how we get the cabin to your property. Remaining on its trailer gives you flexibility if you later want to reposition the cabin, move house, sell it or use it somewhere else.

Why do you recommend keeping the cabin on wheels?

Because portable should mean portable.

Keeping the cabin on its own trailer helps preserve the flexibility that makes this type of accommodation so useful.

That generally means:

keeping the cabin on its trailer/chassis
retaining its ability to be moved
keeping the wheels and normal trailer components in place

using service connections that can readily be disconnected
avoiding permanent foundations
avoiding permanent structures that prevent the cabin from being moved

The practical benefit is that you're buying a comfortable place to live without necessarily committing that space permanently to one piece of land.

Your circumstances can change. Your cabin can move with them.

Do I need building consent for the cabin?

No.

Our cabins are purpose-built on trailers and 'plug & go' like a caravan. They are designed to remain movable rather than becoming permanently installed buildings.

Under New Zealand's Building Act, whether a structure is treated as a building depends on more than simply whether it has wheels. How the cabin is positioned, connected, attached and used can also be relevant.

Keeping the cabin on its trailer, maintaining its ability to be moved and using readily disconnectable services all help retain its character as a movable vehicle.

Can I take the wheels off the cabin?

We recommend keeping the wheels fitted if you want the cabin to remain readily movable.

Removing the wheels for a prolonged period, adding permanent foundations or otherwise making the cabin difficult to move can affect how it is treated under building rules.

If portability is important to you, keep the cabin set up so it can continue to function as a movable trailer vehicle.

Can I build a deck or veranda beside my cabin?

Yes - a deck can make a big difference to how you enjoy the cabin. Our cabins come with an easy to set up entrance patio deck and steps as standard.

However, if you want a larger deck or verandah while enabling the cabin itself to remain readily movable, we recommend making the deck or verandah freestanding rather than permanently attaching it to the cabin.

Can I install a heat pump?

Yes, but if maintaining the cabin's portability is important, the installation should be designed so that the cabin can still readily be disconnected and moved.

Avoid installations where equipment or associated structures permanently tie the cabin to the ground.

Discuss the installation with an appropriately qualified installer and explain that the cabin is intended to remain movable.

How close can the cabin be to a boundary?

There isn't one distance that applies to every property in New Zealand.

Boundary, yard and setback requirements can vary according to your council, planning zone, property and intended use of the cabin.

Before choosing the final position, check the requirements that apply to your particular site.

Power, Water & Wastewater

How is the power connected?

Our cabins use a caravan-style electrical connection.

We supply a caravan lead and interface box which can be connected to a suitable caravan lead socket, builder's pole or standard household power point.

A suitable caravan or dedicated supply can provide up to 16 amps. When using the interface box through an ordinary household three-pin outlet, the supply is limited to 10 amps.

Our cabins are supplied with an Electrical Warrant of Fitness.

If you want a more permanent electrical installation, discuss this with a registered electrician and consider how it may affect the cabin's ability to remain readily movable.

Can the cabins be used off-grid?

Yes.

Our cabins can be configured for off-grid situations, depending on your requirements.

Appropriate generator and solar power systems can be incorporated, and water and wastewater arrangements can also be designed around the proposed site.

Talk to us about how you plan to use the cabin and we can discuss suitable options.

How is the water connected?

The cabin can be connected using suitable drinking-water pipe from an available water supply.

Connections after purchase are the owner's responsibility.

Tank water is also suitable provided a pressure pump is used rather than relying solely on gravity feed.

As a general guide, the cabin requires:

minimum water pressure of approximately 25 psi
maximum pressure of approximately 75 psi
minimum flow of approximately 5 litres per minute

If maintaining portability is important, we recommend using a connection that can readily be disconnected when the cabin needs to be moved.

How is the hot water heated?

Our self-contained cabins normally use a gas califont.

We can also discuss alternative hot-water options, including an under-bench electric water heater, depending on your cabin specification and intended use.

What toilet options are available?

There are several options depending on how and where you intend to use your cabin.

Chemical toilet
A portable chemical toilet uses its own holding tank, which can be removed for appropriate disposal.

Standard flush toilet with pump system
A conventional flush toilet can be used with an appropriate wastewater system. A Black Box toilet pump system is available as an option and can provide a practical solution where a gravity sewer connection isn't available.

Waterless toilet
A waterless toilet may also be suitable for some sites and off-grid situations.

The right solution depends on your property, available services and local requirements.

Where does the grey water go?

Grey water from the shower, basin and kitchen sink needs an appropriate disposal system.

Depending on the property and intended use, this could include:

an external collection tank
an appropriate soakage solution
discharge to a suitable gully trap

a dedicated wastewater system
a pump system such as our BLACK BOX Waste Removal System

Do services need to be permanently connected?

No.

If you want your cabin to retain its portability, water, wastewater and electricity can be set up using connections that are readily disconnected.

That's an important part of keeping the cabin genuinely movable.

You can choose to install more permanent infrastructure after purchase, but that may have building, drainage or planning implications and should be considered separately.

Living In & Customising Your Cabin

Do the cabins have double-glazed windows and doors?

Yes.

Our cabins are built with double-glazed windows and doors for improved comfort.

Do you supply appliances?

Generally, no.

This allows you to choose appliances that suit your own needs and budget.

From time to time we may offer a promotion that includes an appliance or appliance package, so check the specification of the particular cabin you're considering.

Some photographs on our website show furniture and appliances for presentation purposes which are not included in the cabin price.

Can you install gas appliances in the cabin?

Yes.

Gas appliances such as a gas hob can be incorporated into the cabin.

Any gas installation needs to be completed and certified by an appropriately registered gasfitter.

Talk to us when specifying your cabin if there is a gas appliance you would like included.

What do I need to connect a TV?

A spare port is provided so you can connect your preferred television or aerial system.

If you install a satellite dish or external aerial and want to retain the cabin's portability, consider installing it independently rather than creating a permanent attachment to the cabin or ground.

How can I connect phone or internet?

A spare port is provided if you require a wired connection.

Alternatively, many owners use Wi-Fi or mobile broadband.

It's worth testing Wi-Fi or mobile reception at your proposed cabin location before positioning it permanently.

Can I customise the cabin?

Yes.

One of the advantages of buying rather than renting is that you can choose the cabin and specification that suits the way you intend to use it.

Depending on the model and stage of construction, options may include changes to finishes, kitchen equipment, bathroom configuration and other features.

Talk to us about what you need before ordering and we'll explain what options are available.

Can I move my cabin to another property later?

Yes.

That's one of the main advantages of a portable cabin.

Provided it remains suitable and compliant for road transport, the cabin can be relocated when your needs change.

Depending on its dimensions, specialist equipment may be required such as hazard panels and a brake controller.

If you don't want to tow it yourself, contact us about transport options.

Still Have Questions?

Buying a cabin is a little different from building a conventional room or dwelling, and every property is different.

Tell us what you want to use the cabin for, where it will be located and how you want it set up, and we'll help you choose the cabin and options that suit you.

Whether it's an extra living space, a place for family, a home office, guest accommodation or something more self-contained, the idea is simple:

A proper space of your own, with the flexibility to move.

Built to move. Made to live in.

0800 CABINS

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