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Timber Barn Homes,
Built to Last a Lifetime
Custom timber barn homes, hand-crafted from premium New Zealand timber. Built across Auckland, Franklin, and the Waikato.
This Is What We Love Building
We’re Bru and Linda Goldfinch – a husband-and-wife team running Homes by Nest from our rural property in Karaka. We build timber barn homes, custom new homes, and hybrid barn homes across Auckland, Franklin, and the Waikato.
Each one gets built by our small crew of tradespeople who’ve been with us long enough to feel like good friends.
There’s no front office, no franchise, and no layers between you and the build. Just a small family business that’s been involved in building family homes for nearly two decades.
Two Ways to Build with Us
There are two routes into a timber barn home with us. The fully custom option is shaped from the ground up around your section, your family, and your way of living. The Hybrid Barn — a defined design developed by Heritage Timbercraft — gives you the same architectural language at a more accessible price point. Both are real timber barn homes. The choice depends on where you’re starting from.
Custom Timber Barn Homes
Designed around how you want to live, built from premium New Zealand timber, and shaped through a one-on-one design conversation.
The Hybrid Barn
A defined timber barn home design — same character, smarter construction. The most direct way into a barn home of your own.
Crafted for How You Want to Live
There’s a particular feeling when you walk into a home built around real timber. The warmth of the wood, the quietness of the space, the sense of being somewhere settled. These are homes that age beautifully — homes you grow into rather than out of.
With structural loads carried by the timber frame rather than walls, interiors become flexible and expansive.
From People We’ve Built For
Ben B, Takanini
Position
“Bru at Homes by Nest made a complex job, where I didn’t really know what I needed, feel so easy. He came in and scoped the job, made recommendations to save money and also things that needed doing that I wasn’t aware of, wrangled multiple contractors, kept me updated from overseas, and was crystal-clear and transparent on invoices and his billing. The work finished under budget and my place looks fantastic—modernised, fixed, and refreshed. 10/10 service, 10/10 result. I’ll absolutely use Bru again and recommend him for renos, modernisation, maintenance, and conversions!”
Christine, Papakura
Position
“I had the pleasure of working with Bru when I built a second dwelling on my existing property. From the very first meeting I knew that I wanted Bru working on my project as I felt so confident in his ability. Bru is very knowledgeable and practical, and after our initial meeting he went off and did all the due diligence with the local Council. From the time I signed off on my new house plans to the end of the project, he remained involved and was always available to assist me. Not only is Bru extremely competent, but personally, a good, honest person with a great sense of humour and a real desire to make your home dreams come true. I am extremely happy with my new home and I would highly recommend Bru and his business.”
Built In Partnership with Heritage Timbercraft
Every timber barn home we build is crafted in partnership with Heritage Timbercraft — a Hawke’s Bay-based team who fell, mill, and shape the timber by hand on their own farm. They’re the craftspeople behind the timber. We’re the builders who bring the home together on your section. It’s a partnership built on shared standards, and a deep respect for the craft.
Thinking About Building?
Building a home is a big decision — whether it’s your first family home, your forever home, or somewhere to land in your next chapter. We’ve spent 19 years in this industry, most of it working with families across Papakura, Franklin, and the Waikato. We know what it takes to do this well: a small, well-treated team, fair pricing, and one person who sees every project through from first conversation to handover. That’s how we built Homes By Nest, and that’s how we still run it, from our rural property in Karaka.
Let’s Talk About Your Home
Whether you’ve got plans drawn up, a section in mind, or just a feeling that a timber barn home might be right for your family, give me a call or send me a message.