With over 40 years of experience, Caldow Builders designs and constructs rural buildings built for tough conditions. From farm sheds to shelters, our team manages everything from site preparation to completion, ensuring durability for daily farm use—no matter the weather.
Caldow Builders delivers durable, fit-for-purpose rural farm buildings designed specifically for the demands of New Zealand’s farming sector. Based in Foxton and servicing the wider Wellington region, we’ve helped hundreds of farmers over the past 40 years build structures that support productivity and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Whether it’s a calf shelter in Shannon or a multi-bay implement shed in Palmerston North, our team combines experience, agricultural insight, and local knowledge to get it right the first time.
Our builds are tailored to suit your land, stock, and machinery needs — with full council compliance and no shortcuts. From reinforced concrete pads to open gable bays and roof-only shelters, we handle the lot. We’re proud to be Foxton’s largest commercial builder with a team of 20+ professionals and over 100 successful projects behind us.
Need a rugged structure that’s built to work as hard as you do? Talk to the team that knows the land and the trade.
Rural land builds often need building consent, depending on the size, location, and intended use of the structure. Some sheds or barns may be exempt, but assuming so without checking can lead to serious setbacks—like fines, delays, or even forced removal. We help you confirm compliance early and handle consent applications where needed, so your project starts on the right track.
Rural builds face different pressures compared to urban construction. Remote sites usually require longer lead times for materials, equipment transport, and crew access. Wet weather can also delay earthworks, slab pouring, and deliveries—especially on sloped or soft ground. Planning for dry seasons and allowing contingency time in your schedule can reduce disruptions.
While your initial quote may cover the building structure, it often doesn’t include site-specific preparation like excavation, access tracks, or power supply extensions. Soft or uneven ground may need extra foundation work. If your land lacks good drainage, pad preparation will be more complex. We provide a detailed quote that accounts for these rural-specific costs upfront to help avoid budget blowouts.
The best rural farm buildings are designed for your specific use and the conditions of your site. Machinery sheds need wide bays and high-clearance access. Livestock housing must allow for airflow and shelter. Storage buildings need moisture control and organised layouts. We help you select the right shed, barn, or shelter based on how it will be used and where it will be placed.
Getting the size right means thinking beyond today’s needs. We measure for your largest equipment or vehicles, and factor in space for safe movement and future use. Steel is ideal for workshops or storage, while timber may suit smaller or animal-friendly builds. Open-front sheds offer quick access, while enclosed farm buildings provide better protection. Every material and layout choice carries trade-offs in cost, durability, and flexibility.
New Zealand’s rural sites vary widely—from windy plains to hilly back blocks. Your site’s slope, drainage, and exposure all affect the way a building should be designed and anchored. High-wind zones require extra bracing. Poor drainage calls for elevated pads. We assess these factors early so your structure stands solid in the long run.
Avoid costly setbacks with a rural build that’s planned right from the start. Talk to our team for expert advice, durable materials, and a structure tailored to your land and farming needs.
We build machinery sheds and implement sheds to keep your essential farm equipment secure and protected from the elements. These sheds are developed to suit your storage needs and built for easy access, durability, and practical use. With strong framing and cladding, they stand up to tough rural conditions across New Zealand.
Hay sheds and feed storage buildings are essential for protecting your feed from moisture and weather damage. Our team designs each shed to maximise airflow while keeping your feed dry and safe year-round. We supply and build storage solutions that suit different types of farms and scale to match your storage capacity needs.
From small-scale lifestyle blocks to large-scale farms, we build barns, stock shelters, and stables that keep animals safe and comfortable. Our farm buildings are designed with both animal welfare and daily operations in mind. Whether it’s for horses, sheep, cattle, or goats, we create covered areas that make your livestock management easier.
Our team builds multi-purpose farm sheds that double as workshops, garages, or utility spaces. These buildings are perfect for storing tools, carrying out repairs, or simply keeping things organised. We tailor every build to suit your site layout and storage goals, using materials that guarantee strength and long-term performance.
We offer silos and custom feed rooms as part of our extensive rural building range. These structures help store grain, feed, and dry goods in a secure and weather-resistant way. Our rural buildings are developed to suit your farm layout and ensure easy access for daily operations.
Every rural land and farm site is different, which is why we offer fully customized layouts for all our farm buildings. Whether you need extra bays, roller doors, internal walls, or open-fronted sections, we’ll design a shed or barn that suits your use and your land.
Access matters for safety and efficiency. Machinery sheds need wide roller or sliding doors that match equipment sizes. Multiple entry points should follow how the space is used. Personal access doors are safer and reduce wear on larger openings.
Galvanised steel cladding and secure doors protect against theft and weather damage. Heavier framing resists impact and deformation over time. Coastal or high-humidity areas need materials that resist corrosion. Maintenance costs drop when durability is built in from the start.
Concrete suits workshops and heavy equipment storage. Compacted gravel provides drainage and works well for hay or dry storage. Timber flooring can suit raised sheds or animal shelters. Each option has different prep, cost, and maintenance requirements.
Ventilation removes moisture, fumes, and heat. Insulation improves comfort, especially in workshops or animal areas. Open gables, roof vents, or ridge vents improve airflow. The right setup depends on climate and building use.
At Caldow Builders, we design farm buildings tailored to your exact needs. No compromises — just practical, reliable structures that work for your farm. Get started today and make your farm build exactly what you need it to be.
We start with a site visit to understand your land, access, and what the building needs to do. We check the ground, drainage, vehicle access, and how you plan to use the space. This helps us plan a layout and materials that work for your farm.
Once we know what you need, we’ll design a building that suits your gear, livestock, or storage — all up to NZ building codes and rural council rules. You’ll get a fixed quote, timeline, and clear scope of work with no hidden extras.
Our in-house team takes care of the full build — from site prep and concrete slabs to framing, roofing, and final fit-off. We use strong, low-maintenance rural-grade materials and handle all council inspections to keep your project on track.
When the job’s done, we’ll walk you through the building, explain warranties, and share basic maintenance tips. And we don’t disappear after handover — we’re here if you have questions, want to add on later, or need any follow-up work.
With over four decades of expertise, we know how to handle tough sites, weather, and tight deadlines, delivering exactly what your farm needs.
We’ve completed over 100 projects, including sheds, shelters, and storage. Our experience ensures smooth, timely delivery with no surprises.
With over 20 vehicles and specialized machinery for rural transport, excavation, and site preparation, we have the resources to handle any challenge on your farm build.
We use our own crew and equipment to avoid delays and maintain better control, ensuring your rural build is completed on schedule.
Yes, most rural farm buildings in New Zealand require building consent, especially if they’re large, occupied, or close to boundaries. Some smaller or unoccupied structures might be exempt, depending on their size, use, and location. It’s important to check with the local council before starting any build. At Caldow Builders, we’ll guide you through the consent process and make sure your build meets all council requirements.
Yes, many rural buildings, including barns, can be extended or relocated, depending on how they were originally built. Steel-framed or modular structures are usually easier to move or add onto. It’s important to plan for future changes when designing the building. At Caldow Builders, we’ll work with you to ensure your rural barn or building is set up for whatever you might need down the line.
Rural buildings can be insulated using wall and roof batts, foil-backed blankets, or rigid board insulation, depending on the structure. Good insulation helps regulate temperature, reduce moisture, and make the space more comfortable year-round. Ventilation also plays a key role, especially in enclosed or occupied areas. At Caldow Builders, we’ll recommend the right insulation setup based on how you plan to use
the building.
Yes, rural farm builds can come with a warranty — but it depends on who you hire. Builders who are members of the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) offer the 10-year Halo guarantee, which covers workmanship, materials, and structural defects. It’s an extra layer of protection for your investment. At Caldow Builders, our NZCB membership means your rural build is backed from day one.
Yes, rural builds can include power, water, and drainage if planned from the start. These services are often essential for workshops, animal shelters, or storage buildings that require lighting, washdown areas, or equipment use. Access to utilities will depend on your site and layout. At Caldow Builders, we offer an extensive range of services to ensure your build is properly planned with the right utilities in place from day one.
Whether you’re planning a commercial build, organising civil works, upgrading a rural property or need transport support, we’re here to help. Let us know what you’re working on, and we’ll let you know how we can assist.
Caldow Builders is a family-owned construction and contracting company based in Foxton. We’ve been working across the North Island for over 40 years, handling everything from commercial construction and civil projects to rural builds, hydrovac work, and heavy transport.
