Minor dwellings, granny flats, studios, offices and tiny homes
Secondary dwelling construction takes many forms, and choosing the right one starts with understanding the options. Tillion Build constructs a range of ancillary living suites, including:
- Granny flats for extended family or rental income
- Studio units for guests, teenagers or creative space
- Home office builds for working from home in peace
- Tiny homes, both fixed and relocatable
Public perception of tiny homes has shifted recently. They no longer need wheels to qualify, opening up more design possibilities. Larger projects sometimes pair a secondary unit with house extensions to the main home, keeping the look and finish consistent across both buildings.
Tiny home builders handling design, consent and construction of your minor dwelling
- Sleep-outs, studio units, home office builds and granny flats
- 70 square metre house builds under the new exemption rules
- Portable tiny homes constructed on site
Minor dwelling construction across Auckland and Northland, including the North Shore and Rodney areas such as Dairy Flat and Coatesville.
Adding a minor dwelling without the council headaches
Thinking about a backyard unit but feeling tangled up in council rules, consents, titles and height-to-boundary ratios? It is a common hurdle, and one that often leaves homeowners unsure about what can realistically sit on their section, making the whole idea feel out of reach.
Tillion Build cuts out the complexity. Simon is a Licensed Building Practitioner who guides you through the consent process, manages council permits, and advises on local site rules before you commit. Leveraging our trusted partnerships with local architects and engineers, we handle the entire project lifecycle. We believe in absolute accountability, which means the very same builders who quote your job are the ones on-site.
Honest advice on the 70sqm exemption rules
The granny flat building exemption is a genuine opportunity for homeowners, though the rules around when council consent is required can get murky. At Tillion Build, we closely monitor changing building codes and exemption criteria so you don't have to. We evaluate your site and project scope against current regulations to determine exactly where your build sits within council rules, giving you total clarity and confidence before any construction begins.
Before you commit, Tillion Build can offer general advice on:
Before you commit, Tillion Build can offer general advice on:
- Subdivision potential and titles
- Height-to-boundary ratios
- Sloping land and site access
- Land support considerations
For projects requiring weathertightness work to an existing dwelling on the same site, house recladding can be scoped simultaneously.
Custom character villas built on-site
Extend your living space without compromising on architectural style. Tillion Build specialises in designing and building character villa minor dwellings (under 70m²) that match the heritage character of your existing home.
We build every project directly on site using durable weatherboards and modern cavity drainage systems, ensuring your new home blends seamlessly with your existing property.
Whether you need a self-contained family suite or an income-generating rental, we handle the entire process from initial architectural design to completion. Enjoy the classic aesthetics of high ceilings, decorative fretwork, and timber details -all built to modern energy and insulation standards.
Concept designs can be developed before passing them to our architects within the construction partners network.
Concept designs can be developed before passing them to our architects within the construction partners network.
FAQs for Minor Dwellings
The people who quote the job are the same people on your site. Simon manages background processes and a dedicated supervisor runs the day-to-day work, rather than handing the build off to unknown subcontractors.
Yes. We replicate classic weatherboards, high ceilings, and traditional timber detailing so your new build seamlessly matches your existing home's heritage style.
Not always. The exemption has specific conditions and the rules can get murky. Simon shares general informal advice on what sits inside or outside the exemption, and trusted architects facilitate consents where formal sign-off is required.
Fixed-price contracts are standard with a streamlined variation process if scope changes. Payments run weekly or bi-weekly. A 12 month defect period and 10 year LBP warranty on structural elements apply after handover and final sign-off.
Yes. Required sub-trades are coordinated through a vetted group, covering earthworks and site preparation, plumbing and drainage, geotech assessments and other trades as the build demands, all managed by one accountable team.
Minor Dwellings Summary:
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What: Design, consent and construction of minor dwellings including granny flats, sleep-outs, studio units, home offices, 70 square metre house builds and portable tiny homes
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Where: Minor dwelling builders covering Auckland and Northland, including the North Shore and Rodney areas such as Dairy Flat and Coatesville, with nationwide relocatable delivery available
- Who for: Homeowners adding secondary accommodation for extended family, rental income, guests, teens, home offices or creative space, including those exploring the 70sqm exemption