Expanders®

Expanders®: expandable homes manufactured and delivered in New Zealand

Expanders® is a New Zealand company dedicated to the manufacture and supply of expandable homes, cabins and granny flats. Its proposition is to deliver completed units that unfold and are assembled on site in one or two days, with no need to manage trades or lengthy building work. The company operates under the legal name SGW Capital Ltd and uses the trading brand Expanders®.

The company presents itself as one of New Zealand's most recognised expandable home suppliers, with more than 400 units delivered across nine countries. Its catalogue starts from an initial price of NZ$24,500 and offers finance through a partnership with Better Finance.

Available models and collections

The catalogue is organised into six ranges: 20ft Expanders®, 30ft Expanders®, 40ft Expanders®, Luxe Studios, Rhyno and an add-ons section. The 20ft range is the most compact and includes configurations from open-plan through to four bedrooms. Some examples published on the site are:

• 20ft Expander – Open Plan: open-plan layout, from NZ$34,000.
• 20ft Expander – 1 Bed: a compact entry-level one-bedroom, from NZ$39,200.
• 20ft Expander – 1 Large Bedroom: one generous bedroom in a 20ft chassis, from NZ$39,200.
• 20ft Expander – 2 Bed: two bedrooms in a compact format, from NZ$40,275.
• 20ft Expander – 3 Bed: three bedrooms in the smallest format, from NZ$41,350.
• 20ft Expander – 4 Bed: four bedrooms on a 20ft chassis, from NZ$42,425.

The company also sells the Luxe Studios range, the Rhyno line and configurable add-ons. The site allows the unit to be configured with floor plans, colours and custom upgrades.

Applications and common uses

According to the company's information, most customers arrive with a specific problem to solve rather than a size in mind. Among the uses it mentions are:

• Granny flat for independent living close to family.
• Home office to avoid the commute.
• Sleepout as an extra room for family or guests.
• Rental income, whether for Airbnb or long-term tenancy.
• Worker accommodation, on-site and relocatable.
• Holiday bach with off-grid capability.

Purchase and assembly process

The process is divided into four stages. The first is design: the customer selects the floor plan, colours, add-ons and custom upgrades. The second is the quote, which the company returns within five to ten minutes with the price, delivery and add-ons itemised. The third is manufacturing, which takes around four months or can be immediate if stock is available. The fourth is installation: the unit is delivered to the site and assembled in one or two days, ready for connection to power and water.

Construction features and equipment

The units are presented as complete homes with insulation in walls, ceilings and floors, full kitchens and bathrooms, double-glazed windows and quality finishes. Every unit is delivered pre-wired and pre-plumbed to make connection straightforward. The company also mentions that the Luxe models are solar-ready.

Warranty, finance and coverage

Expanders® offers a three-year structural warranty and a one-year warranty for fixtures. Finance is arranged with Better Finance; the site states that applications take a few minutes and that starting one does not commit the customer. The company delivers nationwide and also overseas: according to its data, it has shipped units to nine countries, including the Pacific Islands. The site shows a calculator to compare rent versus finance and a tool to estimate Airbnb income.

Team and regional contacts

The company has two regional points of contact. Taylor Strang covers the South Island and the Pacific, while Ross Tomlinson handles the North Island. Both share the same opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays 09:00 to 14:00. The company works with engineers, architects, builders, plumbers and electricians based in New Zealand to ensure that every unit meets local standards.

Background

The company was founded in late 2023 by Shad, who had worked in marketing for a tiny home company on Australia's Gold Coast. After spotting the potential of expandable homes in New Zealand, he returned to Christchurch to establish the company. In 2024 it opened a warehouse and began taking part in industry trade shows, coinciding with rapid growth in demand.

Location and contact

Phone: 027 255 6623 · Email: ross@expanders.co.nz · Hours: Monday to Friday: 09:00-17:00. Saturday: 09:00-14:00.