Want to buy a prefab home in Auckland? One of the initial questions on your list is: How much land do I actually need? The good thing is that prefab homes are customizable, effective, and can be adapted to a large variety of section sizes in the area. Nevertheless, Auckland also has its own planning regulations, practicalities, and living standards. This will determine how much land you will purchase.
Here is a simple guide.
Know your ideal house size
Be specific about the type of prefab home you would like to build. Make this decision before you go shopping for land. Prefab houses Auckland vary in size. They start at 40-60 m², all the way up to larger 3-4 bedroom homes over 120 m².
In general, you will prefer a section of at least two or three times the size of the house. This will allow you outdoor space and access paths. You also need packing space and adherence to council setbacks. For example:
- Say you have a 50 m² prefab home. This can typically fit on a 250 m² or larger section.
- A 100-120 m² prefabricated house can comfortably fit in a 350-500 m².
However, those figures may change. This mainly depends on the location you want in Auckland and its regulations.
Be familiar with the Auckland Council rules
The Unitary Plan of Auckland contains some major requirements, which influence the amount of land you will need. These differ by area. You want to choose from these regions:
- A suburban area
- A mixed housing zone
- A rural lifestyle block
- A coastal area.
Here are some of the key factors you must check:
Setbacks
This one dictates the proximity of your house to the border. In most urban areas, a front-yard setback of approximately 1 to 3 meters and a minimum side yard of 1 meter is required. Such regulations directly influence the size of the minimum area you will have.
Site coverage
This is a share of the area that your home can occupy. Site coverage is limited to 35-45% in most zones of Auckland. To illustrate, say your prefab size is 100 m² and you want a 40% site coverage. In that case, you would require at least 250 m² of land.
Height-in-relation-to-boundary
Although prefab homes may be single-level, this rule may limit location, especially on small or narrow sites. If you are looking into a section that already has a building platform or is in a newer subdivision, then it is easier.
Delivery and installation access
Prefab homes are transported to the site. That means you will require space where a truck or crane can safely reach the site. This works best with corner sites, wide drives, or flat areas. If the terrain is hilly or squeezed along a small right-of-way, it does not necessarily rule out a prefab. But it can increase your expenses.
Assess your lifestyle
Finally, evaluate what you want from the property. Would you like an additional garden area? Kids? A rental unit? Parking for a boat?
Occasionally, it makes sense to go a little bit bigger on your land. It will provide some type of flexibility in your lifestyle that you will appreciate in the long run.
