FAQs tagged with 'Transport, Delivery, and Site Access'

Owner Collects Policy - Attachment to the HouseMe Sales Contract.

HouseMe has a stict policy in place and the terms are non-negotiable.

1. Approval of Cartage/Trucking Company

• The customer must advise HouseMe which cartage/trucking company they intend to use.
• HouseMe Management must approve the contractor.
• Approval is based on the contractor’s experience, competency, and adherence to Health and Safety.
• Inexperienced or unsafe operators will not be permitted on-site.

Owner Collects are approved at HouseMe’s sole discretion. We reserve the right to decline any uplift request that may pose risk to safety or reputation.

2. Hiab Lift & Site Logistics

• HouseMe will organise and coordinate the Hiab lift on-site at our premises to load the unit onto the customer’s truck.
• This is compulsory for Health and Safety and logistical reasons - no exceptions.

3. Owner Collects Fee

A flat fee of $1,500 applies. This includes:

• Hiab lift at HouseMe
• Coordination and administration
• Use of lifting lugs

$500 of this is a refundable bond for the return of the lifting lugs. The bond will be refunded when the lugs are:

• Returned to a HouseMe office
• Undamaged and in full working order
• Returned within 30 days of uplift

Beyond 30 days, the bond becomes non-refundable. The lugs are HouseMe’s original design and we do not release specifications for replication.

This $1,500 fee is compulsory and non-negotiable.

4. Site Assessment (If Requested or Completed)

If the customer requests a site assessment, or one is carried out by HouseMe, we reserve the right to charge 5% of our standard transport fee.

6. Uplift Timing

The uplift date and time will be determined by HouseMe.
While we are happy to receive a preferred date and time from the customer, final scheduling will be confirmed by HouseMe based on operational logistics and capacity.

7. Final Payment Terms

The unit must be paid for in full at least 10 days prior to removal from our premises.
This aligns with the standard payment terms outlined in the HouseMe Sales and Purchase Agreement for all new builds.

If your site has challenging access, don’t worry, we can assess it before proceeding. Our team can review your location using Google Earth and discuss any potential access issues with you.

 Every site is different, and we’re happy to work through the best approach to get your HouseMe unit delivered safely and efficiently.

If you’re unsure about access, get in touch, and we’ll help you figure out the best solution.

Transport & Delivery

• The cost of transport is not included in the price of the unit. We have a detailed delivery pricing schedule that varies based on the size of the unit and its destination.
• Specialised lifting equipment, such as a Hiab or a large crane, may be necessary beyond our standard delivery service. These additional requirements will incur separate charges, which the customer will be responsible for.
• If your location is in a densely populated area and the delivery requires a crane, traffic management measures may need to be implemented. This service will also be billed separately.
• While we permit customers to collect their units and arrange their own delivery, we adhere to a strict policy regarding this process. Please contact HouseMe directly to discuss this option further.

Yes - We do 6 different lengths and 3 different widths. 
The largest transportable home we build is 12.5m (long) X 4.4m (wide). Most of our units are either 3.0m or 3.6m in width and vary in size by length. We generally refer to them by their length. We have a range of standard lengths and don't do customised sizes. Your options are 6.2m, 7.4m, 8.4m, 9.4m, 10.4m, and 12.5m long, and 3m, 3.6m, or 4.4m wide.

Yes — absolutely.

Every HouseMe home is fully covered by comprehensive transit insurance from the moment it leaves our factory until it’s safely delivered and placed on your site.

This coverage includes:

• Full replacement value of your home while in transit
• Protection against accidental damage, theft, or loss during delivery
• Coverage for any loading or unloading incidents while the home is being positioned on-site

Once delivery is complete and your home is in place, the insurance responsibility transfers to you (the owner). We recommend arranging your own contents and dwelling insurance from that point onward — just like any other new home.

HouseMe works with trusted transport partners who specialise in moving large homes safely across New Zealand, so your investment is well protected every step of the way.

Yes — absolutely. We do it regularly for sites with limited access or tight sections.

If a driveway or direct route isn’t possible, we can use a hiab or mobile crane to lift your HouseMe home over fences, garages, or even other houses.

We work with a trusted network of high-calibre crane operators and hire companies all over New Zealand. Our team handles the entire process — we’ll get the quotes, coordinate the delivery, and manage all communication with the crane company so you don’t have to stress.

Crane costs can vary depending on your location, access, and the size of your home. The final amount is invoiced and on-charged after delivery, once the exact cost is confirmed.

Every HouseMe home is built on a galvanised steel chassis, making it structurally strong and perfectly suited for safe lifting and transport.

Here’s a polished and customer-friendly version that keeps your message firm but fair, in your typical HouseMe tone:

Do you come and check out my property before I buy one?

We don’t offer free on-site visits before purchase. Respectfully, if we did, we’d spend all our time driving around New Zealand checking sites for free — and that simply wouldn’t be sustainable.

That said, we do everything we can to help you make an informed decision before you commit.
Before you buy, a team member can view your property online to assess general access, driveway width, and any obvious obstructions.

A pre-delivery site assessment is included once you’ve placed your order. If it turns out that we can’t deliver to your site, we’ll issue you a full refund — no questions asked.

If you’d like a site check before placing your order, we can arrange this for a small fee to cover travel and time.

• If the check shows your site isn’t suitable, we’ll refund the fee.
• If the site is suitable and you proceed with a purchase, we’ll credit the fee toward your order.
• If the check is successful but you decide not to proceed, the fee is retained to cover our costs.

This approach keeps things fair, transparent, and ensures we can dedicate our time to customers who are ready to move forward.