Gold Coast, Queensland Oct 6, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - A skilled migrant to Queensland has found an unexpected boost to his eco-home business, experiencing an upsurge in enquiries since the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Gold Coast business ModnPods manufactures high-quality, affordable prefab eco-homes, which it sells to consumers in Australia and overseas.
Managing Director John Christie, a skilled migrant from the USA, said COVID-19 had prompted a surge in interest from homeowners wanting to provide affordable spaces for returning family members, and from those considering adding accommodation to create new income streams.
‘Backyard modular pods are much more efficient because they are far less costly than adding onto a home,’ Mr Christie said.
‘The combination of COVID-19 and the recent bushfires has seen our enquiries increase by around 40% over the past year, which is translating into higher demand for pods.
‘Our factory can produce up to 15 to 20 pods per month, and we will be looking at expanding if demand continues to increase.
‘We’re pleased to be able to help people find affordable, quality housing at a challenging time.’
ModnPods sources more than 95% of its pod products from Australian manufacturers, and is committed to using building materials that are both environmentally friendly and healthy for pod occupants.
Mr Christie has a unique migration story, having served as a helicopter search-and-rescue swimmer in the US Navy for 6 years before coming to Queensland to study for his MBA at Bond University Gold Coast in 2014.
He brought the same passion and drive to his business studies that he had shown in his navy career, developing the concept for ModnPods while still a student.
‘The market needed a solution for affordable eco-homes,’ Mr Christie said.
‘At first, ModnPods was just an idea, but shortly after I graduated from Bond University in 2016 it became a reality, and we built our first pod.
‘To date, we have developed multiple pods ranging from container offices to prefab granny flats.’
In 2019, Mr Christie received his permanent residency after being nominated as a skilled migrant by TIQ’s team at Business and Skilled Migration Queensland.
In the same year, he forged a partnership with Ben Sinclair from fellow Gold Coast business Base Haus, a commercial building company specialising in Greenstar, Well and Passive House construction. Together, they are working on delivering healthier, more energy-efficient, affordable spaces.
Mr Christie said the market was rapidly expanding for prefabricated housing that was not only affordable but also ticked all the boxes for quality, beauty and sustainability.
‘The focus in 2020 is now on residential, high-end, affordable prefab modular units – whether it’s one unit for a home, multi-units for a caravan park, or a tiny home development,’ he said.
ModnPods manufactures its pods at its Arundel factory, where it employs around 20 staff in a variety of permanent and casual roles.
Attracting the best business and skilled migrants to Queensland is another way TIQ is helping to build the Queensland economy and grow jobs and prosperity.
For more information on Queensland’s business and skilled migration program, contact BSMQ.
ModnPods provides prefabricated modular backyard pods as guesthouses, studios, granny flats and sleek home offices with the ability to cater to multi-unit developments such as caravan and holiday parks. Each ModnPod is architecturally designed and manufactured on the Gold Coast using 95% Australian premium materials with the flexibility to ship Australia wide.
WHAT CAN I USE A MODNPOD FOR?
A ModnPod is the high-quality answer to that dream of owning a private backyard guesthouse for family and friends, a holiday rental, your own sleek home office or even for a multi-unit development. At 3.5m wide with varying configurations and crafted using only the highest-grade materials, a ModnPod’s possibilities beyond our warehouse walls are endless.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A MODNPOD?
Simply put, everything! Unlike other offerings on the market, your ModnPod is installed fully equipped with the essentials meaning there are no hidden extra costs. Our mission is to offer an alternative housing solution bearing all the essentials not just the framing, including all electrical, plumbing, internal linings and certifications. For your peace of mind, the price we quote is a guaranteed fixed price so there are no surprises.
WHY CHOOSE A MODULAR FACTORY BUILD?
Each of our designs are entirely factory-built meaning we don’t experience the delays that are typically faced by traditional onsite builds. Not only is a factory build far more efficient, it allows for the freedom to ship anywhere in the country. Learn about our efficient and simple Approval and Install Process here.
WHAT MAKES MODNPODS UNIQUE?
ModnPods are completely prefabricated in-house so we offer guaranteed and consistent timeframes, product quality and a fixed price with no sneaky extra costs. Each ModnPod is architecturally designed and built to Passive House Standards. We provide a full end to end solution from in-person site visits (within 200km of the Gold Coast) to obtaining Council Approval right through to shipping and installation. With full Council Approval you are able to obtain finance for your ModnPod therefore Home and Contents Insurance will cover you and will also boost the value of your home if you choose to revalue.
Media Contact
ModnPods *****@gmail.com https://www.modnpods.com.au/
