Building society debunks myths about self-builds
HELPING TO CREATE YOUR IDEAL HOME – WHATEVER IT LOOKS LIKE
AN Earl Shilton building society has compiled a list of common myths surrounding house construction.
Modern Methods of Construction, or MMC, have come a long way since the pre-fab homes produced post World War Two.
Housing developers are eagerly incorporating these techniques in their homes, but they are not just restricted to the big builders.
Leicestershire building society esbs has addressed some of the lingering myths around MMC housing and why it could be the ideal solution for self-builders.
Paul Tilley, Chief Executive of esbs, said: “Building societies, including esbs, have enabled many generations to achieve their dream of becoming homeowners.
“As the housebuilding sector evolves, we do too, so we are proud to be supporting our members in the creation of their ideal home, whatever that looks like.
“I would urge anyone considering a self-build to get in touch with us to discover their options and get their project started.”
The myths and explanations are as follows:
■■MMC are just like the ‘cardboard houses’
MMC can refer to any non-traditional method of building new homes, typically by creating the structural units of the building offsite and then putting them together on-site. A variety of materials can be used; frames are normally steel, timber or concrete, making them suitably sturdy.
■■They are no more environmentally friendly than normal houses
Not only does the precision of MMC homes massively reduce the amount of wastage during the build stage, they can be much more efficient to run with better-insulated walls and fewer drafts from air holes.
■■They are expensive to construct
Constructing an MMC home is much quicker than a standard build, meaning less money and time is spent on labourers. Additionally, MMC projects are a lot more predictable in terms of time and resources, making them much easier to budget for.
■■MMC homes are boxy and boring
The joy of designing your own home means it can be built exactly to your needs and aesthetic (subject to local authority restrictions). Panelled homes can be brick rendered if you prefer to retain a more traditional style, or certain build types provide a hyper-modern look.
■■They are hard to mortgage
While MMC mortgages are not as common in the market, esbs is one of the providers who offer them. Esbs review applications on a caseby-case basis, treating customers individually to determine the right product. Provided the non-standard construction is Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) accredited, then esbs may be able to help.