11 AFTER SELLING THEIR party hire events business in 2021 Lynn and Matthew Crow had planned to retire. However things took a turn when Mrs Crow saw an compelling need to help women in crisis who were sleeping rough because affordable accommodation to get them through difficult times was impossible to find. Her husband, Matthew and his family had been home builders on the Central Coast for some forty years prior to going into the event business. He knew that in the present climate not enough homes were being built and building costs were rising. In today’s economic and social environment people are struggling and homelessness has become widespread. They saw that people in these hopeless situations simply wanted a roof over their head and a safe place to live. They set out to design a basic accommodation unit that was easily transported, easy to locate and above all affordable. A ‘plug n play’ concept with modular ensuite and kitchenette that would fit on a trailer and delivered to a spot where it could be easily installed. Also, being portable there would be no need for any council approvals. Their intention was to build a portable room that was comfortable, safe and affordable. Initially with the intention of hiring them out to people in need. They would not be a ‘granny flat’. Once the prototype was built the Crows’ marketed these portable rooms on social media through Facebook and the idea took off. Demand was such that they soon had to manufactured in a factory which they set up at Somersby. The rooms are built to the highest standards to meet the Australian Building Code and are made mostly from Australian building materials and fittings and come with 7-year warranty. While the original plan was to hire the rooms to people in distress it soon became apparent that there was a wider use and people wanted to buy them for a home office, extra bedroom, computer room, teenage retreat and more. Today 75% of production is sold while 25% goes into the hire fleet to a market across NSW. Rooms range in size from 9 to 18 sqm and cost from $16,000 to $30,000. The Crows have found that their business, Portable Room Hire & Sales has touched a niche market where their original idea to support homeless people has expanded with them now getting enquiries and orders for uses such as; home office, hobby room, kids playroom, building site sheds, teenage retreats. “Their uses seem to be endless,” Mr Crow said. “ Solving the housing crisis - one room at a time NEW PATIENTS Comprehensive checkup & clean Includes up to 5 x-rays No Gap (with health insurance) or $290 OFFERS (all patients) Free orthodontic consultation Free dental implant consultation Free cosmetic makeover consultation FINANCE We bulk bill the Medicare CDBS Zip Pay & Zip Money payment plans We partner with SuperCare General Dentistry | Emergency Care | Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics & Invisalign | Sleep Dentistry IV Sedation | Oral Surgery Wisdom Teeth Removal | Dental Implants | 3D CT Scanning 02 4323 1933 | www.vcdental.com.au Suite 10, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford NSW 2250 OPEN 7 DAYS 40 YEARS LOCAL p: 4340 0984 e: info@ccwsomersby.com.au centralcoastwarehousing.com.au YOUR STORAGE SOLUTION AT SOMERSBY MANUFACTURING NEWS Typical portable room manufactured by Portable Room Hire and Sales Lynn and Matthew Crow CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2024
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