Westpac is piloting a scheme that will make it easier for people to obtain finance to build a prefabricated home.
A three-month trial will involve financing the construction of six prefab homes in Auckland and Waikato and - subject to
the success of the pilot – the model will then be rolled out nationwide.
Westpac NZ Chief Executive David McLean said he hoped the new model would overcome the current barriers to finance and
open the door to more affordable homes for many New Zealanders.
“This is a major step towards improving home affordability, especially for first home buyers. It will move prefab
housing from sitting in the too-hard basket to being a viable choice for lots of Kiwis.”
PrefabNZ estimates that prefabricated techniques can reduce construction costs by around 15 per cent, and construction
time by up to 60 per cent
Mr McLean said it was time for lenders to innovate in the same way that the prefab housing industry has been doing in
recent years.
“Prefab housing is increasingly being built to incredibly high standards of design and construction, and its
affordability makes it a great option for many buyers.
“Our new way of funding removes some of the hurdles that have existed until now, and gives buyers and builders
confidence about partnering on a build.”
Mr McLean said borrowing money for a prefab house had sometimes been a difficult process because of the complex issues
that would arise over security of the house while it was being built in a factory.
“It’s often meant would-be buyers have struggled to find a builder willing to take the risk that the buyer would obtain
bank finance at the end of the prefab build, and have also had to negotiate bespoke terms with a lender.
“Usually, any arrangement has involved the builder getting a large temporary overdraft over the course of two months and
financing the build out of that, essentially using their own money.”
Two prefab constructors in the greater Waikato have agreed to participate in Westpac’s pilot.
It was hoped the first of six houses built under the terms of the project would be built and arrive on site by the end
of September.
“We want borrowing for a prefab house to become a streamlined, simplified and stress-free process for both buyer and
builder,” said Mr McLean.
“Most importantly, it should help put New Zealanders into warm, well-designed, affordable houses that would otherwise
have been out of reach.”
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