Bigger is not always better. Across New Zealand, more buyers are actively choosing compact homes, whether to keep a build affordable, to fit a second dwelling on an existing section, to downsize into something easier to manage, or to take advantage of the new granny flat rules. If you have been searching for small transportable homes NZ wide, this guide covers every Exeter design under 100m², who each one suits, and why a compact footprint often makes the smartest financial sense.

There is a practical logic behind the shift towards smaller homes, and it goes well beyond the purchase price.

A smaller footprint means lower site preparation costs, simpler foundations, and less exposed roof and wall area to build. It means a home that is quicker to heat, cheaper to run, and easier to clean and maintain. It fits on smaller urban sections, rural lifestyle blocks, and back gardens where a larger home simply would not work. And under New Zealand’s updated minor dwelling rules, a self-contained home of up to 70m² can now be placed on many residential and rural properties without a building consent or resource consent, provided specific conditions are met.

For investors, compact homes offer some of the strongest returns in the market. For downsizers and retirees, they offer warmth and comfort without wasted space. For first-home buyers, they are often the difference between renting for another five years and owning now.

Every home below is under 100m², fully finished in our Rotorua yard, and built to the NZ Building Code and Healthy Homes Standards. Here is the full line-up, from smallest to largest.

Ida: $233,000 | 2 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 60m²

If you have been looking at 60m² house plans NZ-wide, the Ida is the place to start. It is our most compact design and a favourite with investors adding a rental to a section they already own. At 60m², it is highly efficient to heat and maintain, and the layout makes the most of every square metre with a functional kitchen and living area and two comfortable bedrooms.

William: $240,000 | 2 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 65m²

The William adds a little extra breathing room over the Ida, and it is available with a 3D virtual tour on our website, so you can walk through the layout before you visit our show home. It is a strong option for couples who want a dedicated master bedroom with slightly more room to move.

Aggie: $195,000 | 3 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 68m²

The Aggie is our most affordable home and the only design in this list from the Exeter Essentials range. At 68m², it fits three bedrooms into a footprint that many builders would use for two, which makes it remarkably efficient for first-home buyers and landlords. The Aggie is delivered as a fixed design with no customisations, which is exactly what keeps the price at $195,000.

Constance: $253,000 | 2 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 72m²

At 72m², the Constance starts to feel like a genuinely spacious home rather than a compact one. The additional floor area gives the living zone more breathing room, and it is a strong choice for couples who plan to work from home part of the time.

Harold and Douglas: from $258,000 | 3 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 72m²

The Harold and the Douglas share the same 72m² footprint but arrange it differently, giving you two distinct layouts at a near identical price point. Both sit in our Essence range, which means larger windows, upgraded construction, and the option to modify the plan to suit your section.

Rita: $267,000 | 2 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 80m²

The Rita is one of our most popular 2-bedroom designs. At 80m², it comfortably accommodates a couple or a small family, with the extra space showing up most noticeably in the living and kitchen areas, which feel genuinely generous rather than efficiently fitted.

Yvonne: $297,000 | 3 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 90m²

For buyers researching 90m2 house plans NZ wide, the Yvonne is one of our most versatile designs. It balances a comfortable living zone against three well-sized bedrooms and is a favourite among families on lifestyle blocks who want a practical, durable home without unnecessary floor area.

Sharlene: $381,000 | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 bathrooms | House 90m² | Garage 36m²

The Sharlene is unique among our compact designs because it includes an internal access garage as part of the standard plan. The house itself is 90m², keeping the living footprint compact, while the 36m² garage adds the parking and storage that many small homes lack.

You can explore floor plans for all of these designs on our 2 bedroom designs page and across our full range of plans.

The updated minor dwelling rules have made small homes more attractive than ever. From early 2026, you are allowed to build a small dwelling up to 70m² on many residential and rural properties without needing a building or resource consent, provided you meet certain conditions.

Those conditions matter. The building must comply with the New Zealand Building Code, be a simple single-storey design, be constructed or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner, and sit at least 2 metres from boundaries and other buildings. You must also notify your council before you start and once you finish, and only one granny flat per site is allowed.

Several of our compact designs, including the Ida at 60m², the William at 65m², and the Aggie at 68m², fall within that 70m² threshold. It is important to verify with your local council whether the exemption applies to your specific section before assuming consent is not required, as rules vary by zone and some areas, such as heritage zones and natural hazard areas, may still require a consent. Our team can help you work through what applies to your land.

Choosing a compact home does not mean compromising on quality. Every small transportable home we build comes with a complete kitchen and bathroom, double-glazed joinery, full insulation, interior and exterior painting, and Bosch kitchen appliances, with plumbing and electrical ready for site connection.

Essentials range homes add double-glazed thermally broken aluminium joinery, kitchen and bathroom extraction, and a fixed heating source in the living room, meeting both the Building Code and the Healthy Homes Standards. For landlords, that means a home that is rental-compliant from day one, with no unexpected upgrades down the track.

The home price is only part of the picture, and this is true whether you are building 60m² or 160. On top of the home itself, you will need to budget for site works and foundations, delivery from our Rotorua yard, service connections for power, water, and drainage, and draughtsman and consent fees where a consent is required.

The good news is that compact homes keep most of these numbers at the lower end of their ranges. Smaller foundations, shorter service runs, and simpler site layouts all work in your favour. As a guide, the all-in project cost for an Ida placed on a North Island section with reasonable site access typically sits in the $320,000 to $380,000 range, including delivery, foundations, and service connections. Our team can give you a specific estimate once we know your section and location.

In our experience, small transportable homes suit four groups particularly well. Investors placing a rental dwelling on land they already own, where the lower entry cost and Healthy Homes compliance make the numbers work. Families adding a granny flat for parents or adult children. Downsizers who want a warm, low-maintenance home that is easy to heat and manage. And first-home buyers who would rather own a compact, brand new home than keep renting while saving for something larger.

Whichever group you fall into, the build itself works the same way. Your home is constructed in our Rotorua yard under controlled conditions, and for a standard Essentials or Essence range design, the build typically takes around 15 weeks from consent to delivery, with site works able to progress at the same time.

The best starting point is to browse the floor plans and shortlist two or three designs that suit your budget and your land. From there, our team can walk you through specifications, talk through the granny flat rules as they apply to your section, and give you a realistic all-in project cost.

Call us on 0800 613 213, email sales@exeterhomes.co.nz, or get in touch through our contact page. We are always happy to help you find the right fit.