Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
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A major milestone has been reached by budding builders, electricians and plumbers studying at EIT Hawke’s Bay, with the completion of their 50th house.
A partnership initiated by local tertiary education institute EIT Hawke’s Bay and Hastings based business HB Homes in 2010 has given hundreds of trades training students the opportunity to get invaluable ‘on the tools’ experience.
Students completed the latest house prior to Level 4 lockdown and the completed two-bedroom house, is one of seven that are now being sold as ideal first homes, holiday homes or worker accommodation.
HB Homes director Mark Roil said the houses are also a “ready to live in” solution to the region’s dire housing shortage.
“The students have gained some incredibly valuable tool time building the houses, overseen by tutors and our building team. All of the accommodation have building consents to the stage of being ready to move on to sections.
“Property owners only need to do the onsite services such as power and water and then they can add all their personal touches of landscaping and paint detailing.”
The selection of one- and two-bedroom houses are sized from 36m2 to 80m2.
Mr Roil said that councils, and Government agencies such as Kainga Ora as well as iwi and hapu are urgently looking for housing solutions.
“These houses are very adaptable, they can be used for many solutions and could easily be lived in within a month of being transported to a property.
“Due to COVID-19 many families’ bubbles have been extended to other family members including elderly and the houses are perfect as a second dwelling.”
EIT Head of School for Trades and Technology, Todd Rogers, said students enjoy seeing their hard work come to fruition .
“Trades students are practical hands-on learners, having the opportunity to build a house from start to finish is the perfect model for trade training. It’s very rewarding for budding builders, electricians and plumbers to see the completion of a build project that they have been involved in,” Mr Rogers said.
Money raised from the sale is used to purchase materials for the next building project.
Mr Roil said the homes range in price from $89,000 for a 36m2 house to $179,000 for a 80m2 two-bedroom house, excluding delivery and onsite costs.
