Building a home or commercial space is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. It requires trust, clear communication, and confidence that the people you're working with genuinely care about the outcome.
That's why every project we take on still starts the same way it did in 2001: with a conversation, a handshake, and a promise to do things properly.
John and Rose Roil didn't set out to build a company. They set out to build things they'd be proud to put their name on. From a small workshop in Hawke's Bay, they began crafting prefabricated buildings, cottages, and community facilities one project at a time, earning a reputation for quality, honesty, and reliability along the way.
More than two decades later, those same values continue to shape every home and commercial building that leaves our Hastings factory.
Where it began
In 2001, John and Rose had a simple belief: New Zealanders deserved better-built buildings, delivered with genuine care and at a price that made sense.
They started with a small workshop, and a determination to do things differently. There were no shortcuts, no flashy marketing campaigns, and no grand plans for growth. Instead, they focused on doing good work and treating people well.
From the beginning, they ran the business the same way they ran their family with honesty, warmth, hard work and a commitment to standing behind every project.
Operating as Cottages NZ Ltd., they became pioneers of prefabricated construction in Hawke's Bay, long before off-site building became widely recognised. Their reputation grew through word of mouth, with clients recommending them to friends, family and colleagues because they trusted both the quality of the buildings and the people behind them.
The Next Generation
In 2015, John and Rose handed the reins to their son, Mark, a licensed builder. Mark grew up around building sites and workshop floors, watching his parents pour everything they had into creating a business people could rely on. Long before he became Managing Director, he understood that what mattered most wasn't simply the buildings themselves - it was the trust clients placed in the family behind them.
Today, HB Homes & Commercial has grown into a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Hastings, supported by a skilled team of builders, project managers and trusted subcontractors. Our projects now span residential homes, secondary dwellings, RSE accommodation, police stations, medical centres, offices and Ministry of Education-approved classrooms.
Yet despite the growth, some things haven't changed. Clients still have direct access to the people making decisions. Relationships still matter. And every project is approached with the same care and accountability that John and Rose built the business on more than twenty years ago.
Meet the Team
MARK ROIL
Managing Director
KIM NILSSON
Residential Sales Manager
Paddy McInnes
Commercial Sales
ASHLEIGH BENNETT
Sales Support Administrator
MIKE AH LAM
Construction Manager
ROSE ROIL
Accounts
What we stand for
As a family-owned business, we've always believed that how you do business matters just as much as what you build.
These values have guided us since day one and continue to shape the way we work with our clients, our team and our wider community.
We believe good relationships are built on transparency. We'll tell you the truth, even when it's not necessarily what you want to hear. No hidden costs, no vague timelines, and no surprises.
We care about what's behind the walls just as much as what you see on the surface. Every build is held to the same standards we'd expect for our own families.
You're not a project number. Behind every build is a family, a business, or a future plan, and we treat it with the care it deserves.
Our relationship doesn't end when the keys are handed over. We stand behind our work and remain available long after project completion.
Don't take our word for it
The best way to understand what it's like to work with HB Homes & Commercial is to hear from the people who have.
We're incredibly proud that many of our clients return to us for future projects and recommend us to their friends, family and colleagues.
Ready to start your story?
Whether you're planning your first home, exploring a secondary dwelling, or developing a commercial facility, we'd love to have a conversation.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a straightforward discussion about what's possible.
