In a short space of time, HouseMe has become a name Hawke’s Bay knows well.
You’ve probably seen the show homes on display at HouseMe’s prime location on Karamu Road, but what you might not know is that Hawke’s Bay has turned into the company’s top-performing location nationwide — a surprising and impressive feat for a business born in South Auckland and built on the power of offsite manufacturing.
“We didn’t start HouseMe — we bought it in 2017 when it was more of a hire fleet. We saw the potential in selling homes outright and leaned heavily into manufacturing,” says Bryce Glover, General Manager of Sales and Marketing and one of the company’s shareholders, alongside Ryan Eagar and Tim Fahey.
Ryan is the company chair while Tim is the Managing Director. Tim Fahey divides his time between Hawke’s Bay and their head office at the Takanini factory site.
HouseMe has earned a spot on the Deloitte Fast 50 two years running, recognised for its rapid financial growth in both 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, the company was ranked fifth in New Zealand among all residential builders based on the number of building consents issued, according to BCI New Zealand’s Top New House Builders report.
“Back in 2018, we had a team of about 12. Now, including contractors, we’re sitting at around 120 and building 35 to 45 homes every month,” says Bryce.
With two large factories in Auckland spanning over 13,000 square metres on a 2.3-hectare site, HouseMe regularly has more than 30 homes under construction at any one time. The facility is built to handle up to 1,000 builds per year. Their model is simple but effective: standardisation and scalability.
That’s not a typo. HouseMe builds homes — actual homes, not sheds or sleepouts — in a highly controlled factory environment, on an assembly line that would make Toyota proud. In fact, Toyota is exactly the comparison Bryce makes.
“We don’t pretend to be the flashy sports car. We’re the Toyota Corolla of homes — reliable, affordable, and built to last. You know exactly what you’re getting — no frills, no fuss, just great value,” he says.
House prices range from a one-bedroom dwelling at $75,000 to a three-bedroom deluxe at $145,000. HouseMe also has a small studio range starting at $49,500.
“Every part of the build is mapped out — from foundations to walls to wiring. We’ve broken the process down into workstations, so it’s repeatable and efficient. We’re able to build a home in as little as three weeks,” says Bryce. “And because we control the environment and buy materials in bulk, we keep quality high and costs low.”
Every home leaves the factory with a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC), thanks to an innovative Memorandum of Understanding with Auckland Council. That means each unit meets NZ Building Code standards and arrives ready to place— a huge win for homeowners and councils alike, especially as New Zealand grapples with housing shortages.HouseMe’s decision to set up in Hastings wasn’t just good — it’s turned out to be brilliant.
“Hawke’s Bay is by far our busiest site. Last year, our Karamu Road display home site was responsible for the most sales — more than any of our other six showrooms,” Bryce says.
“The foot traffic is unreal, and people really love the product. It feels like everyone knows someone who owns one.”
The region’s tight-knit community and the tragic aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle created a spike in demand. HouseMe was quick to respond — partnering with councils, fast-tracking consents, bundling appliance packages, and delivering homes to help locals get back on their feet. But the growth wasn’t just reactionary — it’s sustained and strategic.
“There’s just something about Hawke’s Bay — lifestyle blocks, ageing population, space to expand, and a real need for flexible, fast housing options,” says Bryce. “And with the upcoming changes to minor dwelling legislation, it’s only going to get busier.”
HouseMe is poised to capitalise on one of the biggest housing shifts in recent memory — the reform of laws around minor dwellings, or as most call them, “granny flats.”
“This is going to unlock huge opportunity,” Bryce says. “People will be able to maximise their land without all the red tape. The biggest benefit isn’t just financial — it’s taking away the admin burden. Right now, we’ve got customers who’ve been stuck in consent limbo for over a year.”
Because HouseMe homes already come with CCCs, and because they’ve built relationships with councils all over the country, they’re uniquely prepared to move fast.
“We’ve been working towards this for five years. Everyone else is just starting to catch up,” Bryce says.
The main customers? Adult children putting a small home on their property for mum or dad, or people seeking an affordable way to generate rental income or tap into Airbnb opportunities.
With sites now in Auckland, Cambridge, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Whangārei, Christchurch and Hastings, HouseMe’s reach is already national. But this winter, the team is turning up the heat with two exciting new product launches.
First up is a sleek new 52-square-metre home, set to debut at Fieldays, New Zealand’s largest agricultural event.
“It’s a brand-new spec — fresh façade, larger windows, full- height triple stacker sliders — and just looks a whole lot sexier,” says Bryce. “It’s the same affordability our customers love, just with a more stylish, modern design.”
The second is a significant leap forward: HouseMe Modular, a 110-square-metre offsite-built home that opens up even more opportunities for New Zealanders.
“We’ve spent the last year testing and fine-tuning this design. It’s ideal for first-home buyers and perfect for urban areas where councils have adopted medium-density zoning changes,” says Bryce.
This larger-format home is still factory-built for speed and efficiency but tailored for homeowners needing more space — without the burden of traditional construction costs or timelines.
“It’s a natural evolution for us,” says Bryce. “We’re keeping our core strengths — affordability, repeatability, reliability — but now we’re giving people a genuine option in the 100+ square metre space. And because it’s modular, it fits right into areas that are now open to increased housing density.”
While HouseMe’s compact houses and granny flats remain bestsellers, these new offerings show a company growing with its customers and the changing landscape of housing in New Zealand.
With a goal of 1,000 homes a year and a strong internal culture where people refer friends and family to work, HouseMe isn’t just scaling — it’s thriving.
“Last year was tough, but it galvanised us,” says Bryce.
“We’re more excited now than we’ve ever been. We’re ambitious, we’re hungry, and we’re proud to be helping Kiwis find smart, affordable ways to live.”
