Sunshine Coast builder Saltair Modular attracts customers on price predictability, unique installation

A Sunshine Coast builder that’s mastered the art of construction from a factory has had to expand the business as alternate housing demand soars. Vote in our poll.

A squeeze on building supplies, weather delays and a tightening housing market have combined to spark a rapid expansion for a Sunshine Coast builder producing new homes from a factory.

Saltair Modular is up to 10 times the size it was in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic began and has opened a new production facility in the Coolum Beach industrial estate.

The building firm constructs homes in a factory then transports and installs them onsite.

When Sunshine Coast retiree Julia Cannon’s income nosedived during Covid-19, she knew she had to do something fast.

She had moved to a Kureelpa home and was able to build an additional cottage on the property.

Her plan was to use the cottage for personal guests and holiday accommodation, which would bolster her income.

Customer Julia Cannon outside a cottage built by Saltair Modular. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Cannon engaged Saltair Modular and said after selecting the lower-price model she regretted the decision.

“I thought ‘you silly old woman, you should have got the next one up’,” she said.

Julia Cannon rents out the cottage on her Kureelpa property as an additional source of income. Picture: Patrick Woods.

She then decided on another model and said she was now considering living in the cottage and renting out her larger house.

Saltair Modular sales manager Ronnie Conquest said customers did not sign a fixed-price contract until construction was about to begin.

He said that meant the forecast costs of materials was only stretching a couple of months compared to others who had to predict costs many months or even years ahead.

Mr Conquest said prices varied depending on their clients needs, from about $120,000 for a one-bedroom home to a $1 million build.

The sharp rise in building costs has wreaked havoc in the Queensland construction industry, particularly in the southeast.

Local builders had reported cost increases of up to $40,000 per build in the back end of 2021 which prompted some industry veterans to tip a year of pain ahead in 2022.

Mr Conquest said the business, owned by managing director Steve Bridger, was now considering branching out into tiny homes and other affordable housing options.

He said the other aspect of the builds his customers liked was that tradies were often only required to be on site for a week or two, compared to months for more traditional builds.