Size: 60 m² | Location: Waitakere, West Auckland
Project Type: Consented Two-Bedroom Minor Dwelling
Completed Project Cost: $278,350 incl. GST
Rental Income: $600 per week
What Does a $280,000 Completed Minor Dwelling Look Like?
Take a look inside one of our recently completed minor dwellings in West Auckland and see what a fully finished, move-in-ready home looks like for approximately $280,000.
Designed and constructed by Macalister Construction, this 60 m² minor dwelling features two bedrooms, one bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor decking and thoughtfully planned landscaping.
The total completed project cost was $278,350 including GST, covering the design, required reports, service connections, construction and finishing touches that transformed the rear section of this residential property into a comfortable, independent home.
At Macalister Construction, we believe that a minor dwelling should be more than just an affordable building. It should be a warm, fully compliant and thoughtfully finished home that offers lasting value for both the property owner and its occupants.
Take a Look Inside – Our Completed Minor Dwelling Video Tour
Rather than simply showing you plans or renders, we wanted to give homeowners a closer look at what their investment can achieve.
Walk through this completed two-bedroom minor dwelling and explore the interior finishes, clever use of space, practical features and outdoor areas that make it feel like a complete home.
From the fully fitted kitchen to the outdoor decking and landscaping, this project demonstrates the level of finish that can be achieved within a carefully managed budget.
What’s Included in This Completed Minor Dwelling?
Warm, Comfortable and Built to Last
Comfort and long-term performance were priorities throughout the construction process. Although compact, this dwelling was designed to provide the same everyday comforts expected of a modern home.
Key features include:
- Double-glazed aluminium joinery with Low-E glass
- Wall, floor and ceiling insulation meeting New Zealand Building Code requirements
- Durable vinyl plank flooring throughout the living areas and bedrooms
- Blinds and curtains installed throughout the home
- Quality interior linings and finishes
- A practical, well-considered layout that maximises usable floor space
These details make a significant difference to the finished product, helping create a warm, comfortable and low-maintenance home for its occupants.
A Fully Equipped Kitchen
A compact kitchen doesn’t have to mean compromising on functionality.
This dwelling includes a fully fitted kitchen complete with cabinetry, benchtops and the essential appliances needed for everyday living.
Included appliances and features:
- Fridge
- Dishwasher
- Four-element cooktop
- Built-in oven
- Rangehood
- Kitchen cabinetry and practical storage
Careful planning allowed us to make efficient use of the available space while maintaining a clean, modern appearance.
Two Bedrooms With Thoughtful Storage
Both bedrooms feature built-in wardrobe cabinetry towers, providing practical storage without sacrificing valuable floor area.
When designing smaller homes, every square metre matters. Thoughtful cabinetry placement, furniture clearances and room proportions can make a substantial difference to how spacious and comfortable a home feels.
A Modern, Practical Bathroom
The bathroom was designed with durability, easy maintenance and everyday functionality in mind.
This particular minor dwelling was constructed under a building consent, allowing us to incorporate a tiled bathroom floor.
It’s important to understand that different compliance pathways can affect the materials and finishes permitted within a minor dwelling. For homeowners considering a building consent exemption, some finishes may be restricted.
You can explore our minor dwelling designs and specifications to better understand the options available for your property.
Outdoor Living, Landscaping and Finishing Touches
A minor dwelling should feel like a complete home, and that extends well beyond the four walls.
We incorporated a range of outdoor features to improve accessibility, privacy and the overall presentation of the property.
These included:
- A spacious front deck with balustrade
- Privacy screening to create a more secluded outdoor living space
- A rear access deck leading to an external laundry shed
- A paved pathway along the side of the dwelling, connecting to a garden bed
- Decorative stone borders surrounding the dwelling for a tidy, low-maintenance finish
One particularly cost-effective feature was the external washhouse, which we constructed using recycled materials salvaged from the original garage demolition.
We also sourced recycled pavers through Facebook Marketplace and advised the clients on how to clean and restore them, achieving an attractive finished result without unnecessary material costs.
These are the kinds of practical decisions that can make a real difference to the overall project budget without compromising the finished appearance.
Thoughtful Planning and Transparent Pricing
Throughout the project, we worked closely with the homeowners to make informed design and product selections.
Our approach was to invest in the features that mattered most while identifying opportunities to reduce costs where appropriate.
Rather than focusing solely on achieving the lowest possible construction price, we considered the overall completed investment, ongoing maintenance and rental appeal.
The $278,350 completed cost included the design, required reports, service connections, building work and associated finishing work.
This is an important distinction when comparing minor dwelling prices. An advertised base build price doesn’t always reflect the full cost of delivering a completed, ready-to-occupy dwelling.
If you’re considering a similar build, take a look at our Ridgeline 65 Minor Dwelling. At 65 m², it’s slightly larger than this completed project and offers a comparable layout and design. Explore its specifications, pricing and estimated completed project costs to get a better understanding of what a similar minor dwelling could cost on your property.
A Minor Dwelling Designed to Generate Rental Income
The owners’ primary goal was to make better use of their property while generating an additional income stream.
Now fully completed and tenanted, the dwelling achieves a rental income of $600 per week, equivalent to $31,200 annually before expenses.
Based on the completed project cost of $278,350, this represents an approximate gross rental yield of 11.2% on the dwelling investment.
In addition to providing a regular rental income, the new dwelling increases the usable accommodation available on the property and has the potential to contribute to its overall market value.
It’s a great example of how thoughtful design, careful budgeting and quality construction can turn an underutilised section of land into a productive long-term asset.
Thinking About Building a Minor Dwelling in Auckland?
At Macalister Construction, we specialise in delivering thoughtfully designed, fully compliant minor dwellings throughout Auckland, including West Auckland, Central Auckland, South Auckland and the North Shore.
As a locally operated building company, we take pride in providing transparent pricing, practical design advice and quality workmanship from initial planning through to completion.
Whether you’re considering a rental investment, accommodation for family or simply making better use of your property, we’re happy to help you explore what’s achievable.
Explore our range of minor dwelling designs and pricing, or get in touch for a free initial site feasibility assessment to understand the opportunities, constraints and likely investment for your property.
You can also see more of this project’s construction progress on our Instagram.
