Aitken Builders Ltd

Aitken Builders Ltd local building contractors Mangawhai /Kaiwaka

Let's talk about the government approved 70m2 granny flat rules. Basically what it promised.Less red tape No consent re...
09/06/2026

Let's talk about the government approved 70m2 granny flat rules.

Basically what it promised.

Less red tape
No consent required

What it delivered.

More red tape
More expensive then getting a consent.

Our journey.

I had a long time client in Langs Beach approach me in regards to removing an old garage and building a new sleepout, same place on the property and same footprint as the garage. Garage was dated, leaking and required alot of work to rebuild.

I originally was going to do this without a consent but as a licensed builder I can be fined up to $ 200,000 and lose my license.

So I asked a mate of mine , MHB design, to do some plans and tried the 70m2 granny flat rule. On initial investigations everything looked straight forward.
Obtained a PIM from council
Got a surveyor to survey the boundary

Plans $5000
PIM $450
Surveyor $2800

Council said yes it goes under the new granny flat rules but you will pay a development contribution of between $15000 and $25000 also your rates will get reviewed for improvements and an increase in rates will apply.. and we would need a geotech and possible structural engineer for the floor.

Well , we all thought nah. Not worth it.

As we had plans already done ,a PIM and Surveyor, we may as well go for consent
First was to add more info to plans
Get a geotech to see if a concrete foor was ok and it met the Code for a rib raft floor . All ok. No engineer required.

Plans $6500
Pim $ 450
Surveyor $ 2800
Geotech $ 3200
Council $ 5250

Final verdict, I will let you be the judge of all this. I personally think its a failed peice of legislation. If they got rid of the development contribution it would be worth it.

Client is happy we went down this road and will have a lovely sleeout for the extended family on long weekends and xmas holidays. Im looking forward to doing this one , as we have been doing some big projects and this one just seams nice n easy. A good break , for the moment. Although they have some interior decorating ideas that may surprise me.. hmmm.

09/04/2026

I have been receiving emails from transport companies and suppliers about temporary new charges.

Mostly a FAF charge.

Fuel Adjustment Factor Surcharge

Obviously due to the deisel price .

These charges are added to invoices, ranging from 3% to 25%

Also manufacturers who need petroleum to create a product, these are increasing up to 30%

Now , if you think about an average monthly turnover of say $100k , with a minimum FAF charge of 3% - $3k , thats huge! I personally work on a 5 to 15% margin pending on job size and thats if everything works out right.. but that can be taken away quickly if there is any price increases , delays or issues onsite.

Especially if your running tight already on quoted jobs or Estimates , the time to negotiate price has to be discussed.. this is never an easy task as there are signed contracts to bind you to a price.

I think all this is putting even more strain on builders that are already at breaking point.

So, if you are a client and have a fixed price quote or an estimate the builder and yourself have agreed upon, please be open minded when the discussion is raised.

We are the link between supplier and client , and most of the time we get hit by price increases that are out of our control, suppliers can push these on, but alot of times we can't.

But... We are building your dream and trying to create our own, we are in this with you regardless.

Been a while since posting on here. 2025 was a full on year with our project in Mangawhai Heads. These high end archite...
14/01/2026

Been a while since posting on here.

2025 was a full on year with our project in Mangawhai Heads. These high end architectural homes can test you and take you to the very limit.
Its easy to post about how awesome they are and how smooth the process is, but its not realistic.
We put our life into these homes , live it and breathe it . 24/7 .
There is a constant balance to maintain between getting it done and keeping up the quality.
Keeping clients employees, trades, suppliers and architects satisfied through the process, and watching a tight budget change constantly with the market.
Things don't always go to plan, and when it turns on you , you need to lean on experience to get you through. The chase, the expectation the judgment,the hustle, the stress. The discipline to deliver. As builders we take this on our shoulders to produce a dream. And honestly, We wouldn't have it any other way. Let's go !

We designed and built this cabin for a client in Langs Beach. They wanted extra space for teenagers over the xmas holida...
29/12/2024

We designed and built this cabin for a client in Langs Beach. They wanted extra space for teenagers over the xmas holidays.

This year we trialed a hidden screw system for decks. The Camo system. Personally I think it looks awesome. A bit of w...
22/12/2024

This year we trialed a hidden screw system for decks. The Camo system.
Personally I think it looks awesome. A bit of work to get it perfect, but moving forward we will continue to use it for those clients who prefer not seeing the screws.

This is with 90 x 20 kwilla, the client wanted the old pine decking replaced with new.

20/12/2024

Merry Xmas and happy new year to all !!
From the team at Aitken Builders.
We are back on the 13th Jan.

Looking forward to a much needed break from the madness. Ha ha .

Thanks to all our clients for all the work, some with big challenges but we worked through it. There is always a big rush up to Xmas with last minute clients calling with jobs to do before xmas.. the old stitch up call in november...."can you fit this in before xmas"

Also a big thanks to all our local trades and suppliers for answering the call !

We have had an awesome year and we thank you all.

Bring on 2025 !!

Cheers,
Aitken Builders Ltd

Almost ready for roof here at Wintle st Mangawhai heads. The team have worked hard and have done an awesome job ! Thanks...
15/07/2024

Almost ready for roof here at Wintle st Mangawhai heads. The team have worked hard and have done an awesome job !

Thanks to Mangawhai Engineering for the design, supply and install of structural steel. There was alot of steel in this build, the team done an awesome job as always.

New build. Mangawhai heads. Awesome spot.
26/04/2024

New build. Mangawhai heads. Awesome spot.

Had some epic smoko spots lately ! Langs Beach .
05/12/2023

Had some epic smoko spots lately ! Langs Beach .

17/01/2023

Hi.

We are looking for an experienced builder or hammerhand to join our team. Must have own tools and reliable transport, be able to work unsupervised at times and to a high standard.
Good rates.
Send me a message or Give me a txt or call 021 718867 to discuss
Or email [email protected]

Thanks.

Address

17 Brooklands Way Kaiwaka
Mangawhai
0587

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+6421718867

Website

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