The most frequently asked questions. Please note that this page is due for an update; if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me.
FAQs
Most commonly asked questions.
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This is the best part. It complies with the regulations set by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which oversees the building sector and acts as a central regulator. The MBIE has developed a comprehensive guide called "Tiny Home Guidance," which clearly defines vehicles and structures on wheels.
The iPamp tiny home stands out as one of the few tiny homes on wheels that meets the necessary criteria for both habitation and mobility. For more detailed information.
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According to the New Zealand Transport Authority and the MBIE document, a tiny home is not considered a specialist vehicle. To be used on the road and lived in, it must adhere to the dimension limits of a standard vehicle. The iPamp Tiny Home meets these limits, with a GVW under 3500kg, a width under 2550mm, and a length under 11.5M.
To meet the definition of a standard vehicle, iPamp has ingeniously engineered vehicle features into the structural design. The iPamp tiny home boasts a gross vehicle weight under 3500kg, achieved through its innovative design with lightweight and durable aluminum. With features such as suspension, brakes, lights, a turn signal, and a number plate, this tiny house is legally considered a vehicle and passes a WOF. Rigorous road testing has been conducted to ensure its safety and reliability.
Designing the iPamp tiny house as a vehicle provides consumers with greater flexibility in terms of parking options, as it is not subject to the same regulations as a traditional building. No building piles or consents are required because the iPamp tiny home is clearly defined as a vehicle, eliminating any confusion or ambiguity associated with being a building on a trailer.
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We display various iPamp Tiny Homes at factory in Petone, Lower Hutt, and Wellington. Furthermore, we occasionally embark on tours across New Zealand, so it is crucial to subscribe and follow our social media channels to stay updated on upcoming dates and locations.
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Utilising our building system that works in 800mm internal increments. Our smallest internal size is 4 meters, followed by 4.8, 5.6, 6.4 (studio), 7.2, and our most extensive multiroom is at 8 meters. The exterior width is standard flashing to flashing at 2.5 meters, while the internal clear width measures 2276mm. We understand the importance of sizing in making your tiny house just the right fit, which is why we offer a range of dimensions. The first step is to determine your needs so we can make recommendations for a fit.
Note: When choosing a size, remember that the nature of our wall system utilises space much more efficiently than other comparable products so bigger is not always better.
Internal Length 4-8m
Internal width 2276
External Width 2.5M
Internal ceiling height 2287mm
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We do not offer two-story buildings. Instead, we have innovatively designed our spaces with changeable 10-in-1 rooms. For instance, our office features a fold-down bed that effortlessly transforms the functional workspace into a spacious bedroom.
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Expect 8-12 weeks when construction starts, depending on size and options.
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We release maintenance and service bulletins.
KM travelled, structural checks, WOF requirements.
General maintenance, washing oiling exterior plywood etc.
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As long as your tiny house meets the requirements of a road-worthy vehicle and has well-maintained tires etc., it's simply a matter of hooking up and towing. If you are nearby, we can provide assistance with transportation, or you can hire one of the many specialists who specialise in towing tiny houses.
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We are happy to collaborate with you every step of the way during the construction process. For instance, you can customise the wiring for your stereo, projector, or solar setup. By providing these add-ons, you can reduce costs.
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Only for iPamp Tiny Homes. Throughout the quotation process, we collaborate with you to customize our plans according to your specific needs and requirements.
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Yes, your investment includes a range of wall system joinery options, such as plywood storage boxes, shelves, cutting boards, and other delightful extras.
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Every individual is unique. During the quotation phase, we invest ample time to determine your optimal solution. This process can range from 1 to 30 weeks.
Regrettably, due to our popularity and as we do not rush the construction process, a booking time of 1 to 6 months may be necessary based on seasonal demand. Penciled-in clients often change their Manufacturing dates, so we can often accommodate your needs by prioritising your build. Alternatively, if you are in urgent need, we can sell our show homes.
The construction phase typically takes 6-12 weeks, depending on the size and options chosen.
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We are incredibly proud of our work and eagerly await your feedback. Seeing how our clients have embraced the tiny home lifestyle and are maximising its benefits brings us immense joy. Whether you need home servicing or additional additions, we are just a phone call away and ready to assist you if we can.
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Note: New Zealand land transport states that the gross vehicle weight must be under 3.5 tons to be classified as a light caravan. Therefore, our builds must stay under 3.5 tons. However, due to variations in materials like marine plywood vs. birch plywood, the weight of each tiny home varies significantly. Accurate numbers can only be obtained once the build is completed. Please find below the estimated weights:
4.0M empty office: 1-1.5 tons
5.6M bathroom with kitchen: 2-2.5 tons
8.0M with room, bathroom, and kitchen: 2.5-3.0 tons.
We strive for quality and accuracy in our builds, ensuring they meet the weight requirements for a light caravan.
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At the moment, our operations are limited to New Zealand. However, if you are an international buyer, we would be thrilled to connect with fellow tiny enthusiasts and value the diverse perspectives from the global market. Your feedback is invaluable, and who knows, with enough international input, we might even consider establishing an additional manufacturing plant.
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Before towing, it is crucial to verify the towing capacity of your vehicle. Look for a tag plate on your vehicle that clearly states the maximum tow rating for both braked and unbraked conditions.
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Yes, we do manufacture our own trailers. Our team takes great care in crafting each trailer in-house. Unfortunately, our trailers are unavailable for individual purchase since the walls, corner sections, and ceiling are integral parts of the structure.
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Choosing between parking on cement or foundations depends on your specific parking area and how long you intend to park for. Some people who plan to stay longer prefer to place their units on blocks to prevent damage to tires and suspension. Creating a car park slab is also a viable option in such cases. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what suits your needs and ensures the safety and longevity of your vehicle.
FAQs
What's included, finishings and options?
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iPamp is the only company in the world that has invested thousands of hours and thousands of dollars to meticulously design and engineer bespoke marine aluminum components that are both lightweight and long-lasting. In addition to durable marine aluminum we extensively use sustainable plywood’s throughout the build.
Marine 5052 for all our 1.6 and 3mm alloy components
Marine structural 5083 for all our 5mm alloy components
The drawbar is steel.
The exterior is made with untreated Marine plywood. Stained in ebony or ivory.
Bathroom Marine untreated plywood
Interior options are Marine or Birch (timber stain options are available by request)
Our Tiny Homes add the most function to your life and are built to last and exceed your expectations.
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We have two types of plywood available: Birch and Marine plywood. In addition, we offer stain finishes in a variety of colors, including black, white, red, green, and blue.
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Our exterior plywood comes in either ivory or ebony stain options.
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We collaborate closely with our clients to create innovative additions to our product lineup. For instance, we design cozy sleeping pods tailored for children or craft-specific setups that cater to their unique crafts, such as fishing rod holders, racks for crafters, steering wheel holders for gamers, etc.
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The iPamp Tiny Home offers a 16 or 32-amp caravan connection for electricity and a water hose. We tailor the grey and black water outlets to meet each customer's specific requirements. We can also provide both storage tanks and connections for your convenience and flexibility.
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As our tiny home is designed to be portable and sustainable, composting toilets are the standard choice. If you want to change in the future, our system is designed to be easily removable.
If you prefer a different type of toilet, we are more than happy to install it for you. However, please note that we do not assume any responsibility regarding compliance with waste management bylaws.
Here are some commonly used toilet options among Tiny Homeowners:
External macerators plumbed-in toilets, such as the storeit4less or Saniflo pump system, which can be connected to an existing wastewater system.
Underground composting tanks.
Incinerators, like the Cinderella model.
More advanced composting toilets.
If you prefer, we can leave the toilet out for you to install on your own.
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To ensure exclusivity for our esteemed customers, we have chosen to un-list several products due to the presence of copycats. However, some of these items are available on our sister company's website, Vaeg.co.nz. When reaching out to us, it is crucial that we have a thorough understanding of your hobbies and interests, as this will enable us to provide customised click-in joinery that perfectly suits your needs.
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While we support off-grid, we don't offer solar as that's not our specialty; we are more than willing to work with you if you're considering investing in solar power. Solar installers can easily wire it up during construction if you're building a new home.
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Our units are not off-grid by default. Since off-grid configurations can vary greatly, we encourage you to research and inform us about your specific requirements for your tiny home. This includes 12 V electrical systems, water tanks, pumps, and more considerations. Alternatively, it's worth noting that our bottom plates are designed with a built-in accessible cable tray, allowing for easy future wiring of 12V electrical systems.
FAQs
Investing.
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Our most extensive model features an 8-meter internal dimension with a designer kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, priced at $129K. However, we have a range of studio options from $49K to $89K, depending on size and added features. We are committed to providing you with the best possible value for your investment.
By investing $100s of thousands in state-of-the-art computer-aided manufacturing and following sustainable design practices. We have used the highest-grade materials simultaneously, saving you $10s of thousands of your investment.
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If you're looking at investing in a Tiny House, the process begins with contacting us through our contact form. The more we know about you, your craft, hobbies, etc., the more accurately we can help. We understand that everyone's timeline and needs are different, so whether you're ready to buy today or just beginning your research, the first step is to get in touch.
Our team will work with you to determine which of our homes matches your needs and provide you with an obligation-free quotation. From there, the decision to proceed to move to the next step is yours. We want our customers to feel confident purchasing a tiny house, so we welcome any questions or concerns you may have.
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Once you complete the obligation-free initial step mentioned above and wish to move forward, you will need to make the below step 1. initial $1000 investment.
Here is a breakdown of the payment stages:
Initial Deposit: To cover engineering plans and secure your manufacturing start date, a $1000 deposit. This will allow us to confirm finishes with you, door and window locations, and other details.
Manufacturing Deposit: We require a $15k deposit to begin manufacturing your aluminium trailer after the initial deposit.
Trailer Drop: 33% of the *remaining. Once we complete the first coat of paint, we send a video of the trailer being dropped from its assembly rack.
Boxed: 33% of *remaining. The walls and ceiling are framed, and internal ply is installed at this stage. We kindly ask for a payment of 33% of the remaining balance.
Final Inspection and Payment: After the final inspection and, if applicable, a road test and commissioning, your Tiny Home will be ready for collection or delivery. This stage requires the full remaining payment.
Break-in period: FREE. The initial 6-12 months are crucial for ensuring everything operates satisfactorily. Just like when purchasing a new motor vehicle, there is a remote chance that a component, such as a shelf bracket or anything else, might be defective.
We aim to provide a smooth and transparent payment process while ensuring the highest quality and satisfaction.
*Remaining % is calculated based on the total investment minus 2. deposit.
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We take great pride in our work and eagerly anticipate your feedback. It brings us immense joy to witness how our clients have embraced the iPamp lifestyle and are maximising its benefits. Whether you require home servicing or additional additions, we are only a phone call away, ready to assist you to the best of our abilities.
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Best-in-class 10-year replacement warranty on all in-house manufactured parts. As the only company that manufactures our components in-house, we offer a 10-year replacement warranty on our in-house manufactured parts, basically all the alloy and plywood components.
Plus, a standard 3-year workmanship warranty.
Non-inhouse manufactured components come with external manufacturer warranties.
Appliances
Windows
Solare system, etc.
We do not cover wear and tear.
We do not cover maintenance and service.
Note, If you have an outside-of-warrantee issue, such as you backed your Tiny Home into a tree, etc., we are here to help.
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We offer multiple options for transporting your tiny home. You can have it shipped or transported by rail or personally collect and tow it when you pick it up.
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At our company, we prioritise upholding stringent policies that ensure top-notch quality and avoid taking any shortcuts to cut costs. Instead, we go above and beyond by providing bespoke joinery tailored to our client's exact needs, and we do so at no additional expense. For instance, we might create a specially designed kitchenette specifically for a 10-purchase Airbnb or craft yoga mat shelves and other custom items for a yoga retreat.
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We are not a finance company or licensed financial advisors.
You could try.
Tiny House Lending | Squirrel
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Regrettably, it is not possible. It would be genuinely beneficial if such a provision existed, as it would assist numerous individuals in acquiring an affordable home in New Zealand. However, stringent regulations and limitations are surrounding withdrawing funds from KiwiSaver. These funds are intended solely to purchase a permanent house and land where a Title has been issued.
FAQs
iPamps Tiny Home Council consents discussions.
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While we take great care, we cannot assume responsibility for differing viewpoints and by-laws across various councils. Some council members may have concerns about individuals residing in caravans; others may not. Since the iPamp Tiny Home is clearly classified as a caravan and not a building structure put on a trailer in the form of a load, we are confident that we are not in a grey area. Therefore, the straightforward answer is no; we have not encountered any issues. However, we have heard stories from other types of tiny home builders who have faced challenges with councils attempting to label caravans as permanent structures. If you have any issues, please refer the person to our definition.
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We are often asked about building consent regarding THOW.
iPamp Caravan VS THOW (building on a trailer)
We have a clear definition and have engineered iPamps "tiny house" as a Caravan. Apart from sharing the market-driven term "Tiny Home," we are as far from the grey area as possible, which means building consent should not be required. However, confusion comes from the fact that some home builders operate in a THOW grey area by constructing a building that follows building practices and placing it on a trailer as a load or even a removable load. We personally believe that people should have as many options as possible. Unfortunately, there can be debates among Councils regarding the classification of THOW in this grey area.
To be clear, iPamp is a caravan designed and manufactured following engineering and joinery principles.
The primary issue at hand revolves around the classification of a tiny house. The question arises whether a THOW should be regarded as a caravan, thereby exempt from the Building Act (iPamp is clearly a unique caravan), or as a permanent structure (iPamp is not a permanent structure), thus subject to the regulations outlined in the Building Act. The Auckland Council has assumed that a tiny house on wheels (THOW) should be categorised as a vehicle. As a result, they have notified THOW owners within their jurisdiction of this classification and have emphasised that their officers are being trained accordingly.
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While many people may not pay much attention to these regulations, it's also advisable, particularly in urban settings, to ensure that you don't cause any inconvenience to your neighbours, thus avoiding potential complaints to the local council. For instance, bylaws regarding the placement of garden sheds stipulate that they should be at least 1.5 meters from the boundary. Similarly, different councils have specific rules and regulations concerning caravans, including living or parking arrangements, distance from fences, obstruction of sunlight, usage as an office versus a living space, and even time limits for residency. Therefore, while we strive to assist you to the best of our abilities, it's important to note that we cannot assume responsibility for varying council policies that may be influenced by how you utilise our versatile product.
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You will need to go to our contact us page and
Book a tiny home viewing, have a question.
Blog articles, Design tips, Updates.
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NZ Tiny Home classifications.
Determining if council-building consent is required for your NZ tiny home is crucial.
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Sustainable Design: "Less is More"
Sustainable design is an empowering, life-changing practice that intertwines the threads of environmental respect, functionality.
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How to Make Your Tiny House Feel Bigger: The Secret is in the Details
With clever design and an understanding of lines, you can create the illusion of unlimited space.