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Building a kit home

A kit home is made of prefabricated material and can be assembled by a building contractor. A kit home could be less expensive and less time consuming than opting to design and build your new home from scratch.

How a kit home could save you money

Money is saved on:

  • the production costs of the materials
  • delivery - your home will be delivered in one load
  • architect services - the design has been done for you so you don't need detailed plans

Building your kit home

You will still have to go through the usual planning and building regulations procedure and employ builders to carry out the construction of your home, however the manufacturer of your kit home may also supply a service where it can arrange assembly.

Assembling the kit home yourself can be very time consuming and you will need the skills to carry out the construction . If you do have building skills but do not want to do all the work yourself, you can use sub-contractors - they can carry out more technical and specific jobs like electrical wiring and plumbing. Always read the manual from the manufacturer and get professional help if you are unsure about any aspect of the build.

Some kit home suppliers may also provide workshops for customers, to advise about the construction process. Remember - if you do not follow the manufacturer's advice and you take short-cuts you may put yourself at risk and void the warranty contract on your home.

You will find more useful information through the following links:

Deciding what kit home to buy

Kit homes come in a variety of packages. Some will be no more than a basic shell, including walls and roof, while others include interior fittings such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Go to home exhibitions or supplier's show rooms to see the sort of home you could buy and you can also request to see 'working models' - a kit home that is being lived in. This is a good opportunity to talk to the owner about their experiences and to find out if they have encountered any problems.

It is always advisable to compare plans and materials from several different manufacturers, to make sure you get the best product available for your budget and needs. You should also consider the following:

  • make sure you have an inventory from the manufacturer to see exactly what is included in your kit home
  • kit homes can be vast and it is not unusual for parts to go missing
  • make sure you are aware of what has been delivered and how you intend to store materials

Rates

When you occupy your new kit home, you must contact Land & Property Services (LPS) to arrange for a rates bill to be issued. If your house has not yet been valued, LPS will send out a valuer to assess the valuation. A rates bill will then be issued based on the valuation. If your property has already been valued, you should contact LPS rating to advise them when you moved in.

More useful links