Kit Homes: The Advantages & Disadvantages

BY ADMIN IN NEWS - POSTED ON 01/05/2018

Kit homes, also known as prefabricated homes, are popular in Germany and increasing in popularity within the UK for self-builders; the superstructure of the home is prepared off-site and erected on-site, typically with the aid of a crane. The total number of kit homes being built every year within the UK is still very small, accounting for less than one hundred homes per year, however, awareness of the possibilities is increasing, which means the number of kit homes being built within the UK is likely to rise. But what are the pros and cons?

The advantages of kit homes

• Modern: Generally, kit homes are modern, which means you won’t need to invest as much time or money ensuring your property is state-of-the-art to meet trends of the 21st Century.
• DIY Kit Homes: With a kit home, you have the ability to do it entirely yourself, without having to pay for or rely on a team of builders, by putting together all the parts on-site.
• Timeframes: Following on from the above, construction time is much faster, as the parts have already been prepared off-site for on-site assembly.  
• Kit Homes UK Prices: Depending on the home you choose, kit homes can be a cheaper investment when compared to traditional homes.
• Quality Control: As kit homes are manufactured in factory settings to adhere to strict procedures, the quality of construction is high.

The Disadvantages of UK Kit Homes

• Not changeable: Once bought, you no longer have the option to make any alterations to your finished kit home due to the fact that it’s prefabricated and the parts are created before shipping.
• Transport costs: Although the cost of the home is comparably cheaper than traditional houses on the market, the cost to transport the completed house overseas is not cheap; the popularity and size of the prefab industry does not yet warrant investment in local plants, however, this may soon change, as Scotland plan to do just this.
• Less durable: Some people have raised concerns that kit homes are less durable, therefore, if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions this may not be the best option for you.
• The future of kit homes: The future of kit homes is not guaranteed, which can have a negative impact on the value of your home. There is a stigma surrounding the quality, durability and performance of kit homes, which may impact the future value of the kit home you buy.
• A new plot of land: As well as purchasing the home itself, you will also be responsible for sourcing a suitable plot of land to construct your kit home, and gaining planning permission.
• Required skill sets: Although kit homes are fairly straightforward to put together, having sole responsibility for ensuring every part is where it needs to be and fixed together is a tough ask if you’re not someone who is familiar with construction. As a result, you may need to pay a professional to give your kit home the once over to ensure everything has been fitted correctly.

As mentioned above, kit homes are proving to be a talking point for many within the industry; they can be a cheaper alternative to standard housing and are quicker to construct, however, they do have their downfalls. If you’re considering purchasing a kit home to build yourself, make sure you weigh up the pros and cons before doing so to ensure it will be a cost-effective, profitable investment for you.

Alternatively check out our Approved Products register for a list of the building products and systems that are approved for use under our warranty.