June 24 2011
News Release
For Immediate Release

Popular Student-Built Homes Bought Before They’re Finished

Relocatable one-bedroom homes being built on campus by Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology carpentry students are proving so popular they’re being snapped up well before they’re completed.

Both homes built on the Nelson campus have now been pre-sold.

Tish North has recently bought one of this year’s relocatable homes at the early stages of construction. She was interested in last year’s units but missed out. Now she is able to add some of her own input.

“I think it’s a really good idea, you get exactly what you want if you pre-buy it because you can customise it.” Already there are a few modifications Tish has made including an increase to the size of the bedroom and raising the window in the bathroom.

“I’m going to have it as a base and then I’m free to travel. I’m downsizing and I’ll be looking out for a section to put it on.”

It’s the third year the houses have been built as part of the Certificate of Carpentry course, and the extra incentive for the students is that proceeds from the sale of the each unit goes towards pre-trade scholarships for the next year’s students.

Ben McMillan is one of the current carpentry students involved in building the units. He received a $900 scholarship thanks to the sale of last year’s house.

“That’s great that I got a scholarship from the last students efforts and now I’m able to help new students get a scholarship as well.”

There is still one relocatable home for sale at the Marlborough Campus. It’s under construction, the framework has just gone up, and there is still a lot of scope for a buyer to customise the interior.

“I would recommend them to anyone . Having met the students who are building it I can see their pride and the standards they’re building it to are really high. It also feels good to be contributing to schoarlships for the next year’s students. It’s a very good concept all round,” says Tish North.

Sheila Robinson has bought the other relocatable and was involved with planning it right from the start.

“I’d seen last year’s relocatables and I was really impressed with them. When I was thinking of a sleep-out for our Wakefield property I approached NMIT about it. My sister is a little person and she’ll come and stay sometimes, so we’re going to make sure the height of things like the switches are good for her.”

Sheila says the relocatable will be sitting on her 10 acre property looking out towards the river.

“Now the framing is up I was really surprised at how big it feels. Not too small at all, just nice and compact.

“I was really thrilled to meet the students who were building it. They were so enthusiastic and full of smiles when I said thank you to them. They’re doing such a great job. ”

Carpentry Tutor Huw Morgan says this onsite training is hugely beneficial to the students.

“They all look forward to this building project and now that two of the homes have pre-sold they’re even more excited because they know the outcome and they’ve met the buyers. They really do want to do their best and they love having that interaction with the owners.”

While the two Nelson units have pre-sold, there is still one unit available that is being constructed at NMIT’s Blenheim campus. To find out more about the remaining relocatable home for sale you can find it on TradeMe, search auction BSF455 and there is also further information on the NMIT website.

This year, the sale of the three buildings will net scholarship distribution funds for the Top of the South NMIT Pre-Trade Scholarships that are offered to those that will study full-time on the Certificate in Carpentry (Pre-Trade) at NMIT Nelson or Marlborough.

The relocatable house project has the backing of local industry and a number of business partners are providing professional service. The units are all built to strict NZ building regulations, and include building consents issued by the respective Council’s.
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