Decisions, decisions

Kit homes can be tailored to your needs

SO WHAT is it going to be? You have decided on a home, picked out the fittings and fixtures you want and are already dreaming of paint colours for the finished house. But what about the actual construction job: who is going to do it. It all boils down to the two main ingredients in a self-build project: time and money. Under estimating how much you have of either can really be the make-or-break of any self-build. One advantage of having a kit home supplier build your home for you is that they will have their own team of proven tradesmen and women who have worked together before and they know this product inside out – literally! You are saving on time but you are paying for expertise and experience. You might decide to put the work in the hands of a building firm you know and trust; in the West Highlands the chances are that good building companies will have worked on the big name companies’ kits. Or you are in the building trade yourself and can put together your own team. Job done. You might decide to project manage the build yourself and hire in the trades and skills as needed. This could save money but most people who go down this route will tell you that the demands on your time will be far greater than you anticipate. What ever decision you make, make sure you have backed it up with some very, very serious number crunching and a realistic approach to your own availability and ability.

Choices, choices

YOU have decided that self-build is the way forward for you, but the big question is: what type of home are you going to build then?

Timber frame

The house has a basic wooden frame, covered in waterproof material (like stone or bricks). A number of companies sell timber frame ‘kit homes’, which are house styles that have already been designed and just need to be put together. This remains one of the most popular choices in the West Highlands.

Steel frame construction

Once the steel frame is built, panels are attached to it. These are coated, or made waterproof in some other way. Building a steel frame house on-site can be quick as much can be made in advance off site.

Brick and block

An outer brick wall and then an inner wall with an insulating material between.

Alternative

Across the West Highlands and islands you will find many interesting alternative styles of building; eco friendly and energy saving ideas; turf roofs, insulated concrete form work; water recycling and energy generating. They are fascinating and use many pioneering techniques. Perhaps the only thing holding people back from experimenting this way is that traditional lenders will not give mortgages.