Canberra can often be described as one big country town – large enough to offer amenities and services yet small enough to foster a community vibe. It is in this environment that the Martin family of Country Builders have thrived. Initially started by their father, Richard (Richie), over 40 years ago, they have focused on renovations and additions – a perfect specialty for repeat and referral business.

When son Adam and his wife, Belinda, took over the day-to-day operations of Country Builders, they inherited an abundance of goodwill, trust and transparency. ‘You don’t have to take more than three steps in the local area without seeing a client or someone you know,’ Adam says. ‘Some of our subbies have been with us for over 20 years.’

Dad Richie is described by Adam as a perfect all-rounder and mentor. Now in his 70s, he maintains high standards. ‘He never scoots over any information when he teaches someone. He wants to make sure everyone develops great skills.’

But Country Builders and life in the ACT weren’t always a definite destination for the couple. Belinda met Adam in Melbourne 17 years ago when he played AFL for a local team.

With his father ageing and the desire to enter the growing family business, they soon moved to Canberra. ‘He says I followed him; I say he dragged me here. That debate is still ongoing,’ says Belinda, who specialises in marketing, business development and real estate. As the business grew, she joined the family enterprise and launched a repairs and maintenance side to support local real estate agents.

Big little ideas

During the pandemic, Adam noticed there was an accumulation of building materials, off-cuts and leftovers from various projects. At this point, he saw the possibility of building bespoke tiny homes.

‘In building, there is always a certain amount of waste,’ he says. ‘These good materials need a new avenue.’ In his Hume warehouse, he created his first tiny home, utilising repurposed materials, solid timber and clever joinery.

‘We took our first tiny home to a property in Queanbeyan. We landscaped it, and advertised it for rent.’ Before long, a single mother with a young daughter – who were on the waiting list for government housing – enquired. It was the perfect solution – the home was safe, secure and cheap.

‘She was exactly what we designed the home for,’ says Belinda. ‘She had a daughter the same age as ours. For us, it was never about building and reselling. It was about finding a bigger purpose.’ Perhaps one that addresses two of the biggest factors in the housing crisis of today – sustainability and affordability.

Tiny homes advantages

So, what exactly is a tiny home? According to the Australian Tiny House Association, it’s a movable dwelling of up to 50 square metres suitable for residential use. Tiny houses can be grouped into three categories: those on wheels, those on skids and those built from shipping containers.

Tiny homes also require less material use, primarily due to their smaller size and are attractive for those looking for smaller sustainable options. Shane Keating, HIA’s Executive Director of Building Policy, says HIA has highlighted in its report on regulatory barriers associated with prefabricated and modular construction that these homes offer potential savings to clients by reducing the construction phase.

As Adam and Belinda acknowledge, it’s not something anyone should venture into lightly. Compliance can depend on the pathway outlined by local and state laws, planning, transport and building regulations. Shane agrees that ‘planning regulations can be ambiguous and some building regulations difficult to achieve for buildings at a tiny home scale, leading some authorities to consider them caravans.

Where a tiny home is also modular construction, there are other advantages. For example, when labour is in short supply, a building can be deployed, then deconstructed and reused. It’s this potential that is now garnering more attention for housing supply and productivity when done at scale. Governments are now taking a closer look at their approval systems, Shane says.

Data on the number of tiny homes built or the stock of these dwellings is difficult to find, if not non-existent. Estimates of the size of the market segment have consistently suggested that they comprise only a small portion of the overall housing mix.

But whether it's a renovation, a custom build, much-needed maintenance, or a specialised tiny home, Canberrans can be assured that Adam, Belinda, and the team will work hard to achieve the right outcome.

As Adam explains, he can also see Richie and his mum taking off more time very soon. With Belinda at his side, his mum has started to take time out, and hopefully, his dad will soon. ‘We just won’t use the word retirement,’ he laughs. ‘Dad will always be at the heart of Country Builders. Maybe we’ll tell him it’s just extended holidays.’ That tiny comment means big things to this passionate, hard-working family.

First published on 9 July 2025.