Signature Homes

The new owners of the southern Signature Homes franchise and its parent franchise company have completed and signed off the contracts of 16 homes which had been briefly in limbo during the liquidation of the former franchise owner, Dunedin-based Murwil Construction Ltd, last year.

Collapsed Signature Homes franchises around New Zealand have left more than 450 unsecured business creditors out of pocket by more than $4.5 million during the past five years. Otago Daily Times Business Reporter Simon Hartley asks the parent of the franchised companies, Signature Homes Ltd and its managing director Gavin Hunt, about its business model for franchisees.

The former franchise owner of Signature Homes in Otago - placed in voluntary receivership owing an estimated $1.3 million nine months ago - has been adjudged bankrupt in the High Court in Dunedin over a $64,000 debt.