Kit Houses: All You Need To Know

Thousands of us build our own homes each year - and an increasing number are turning to the kit house option rather than employing an architect and a team of builders. So what are the advantages?

By Gordon Miller

White Huf Haus. Kit Houses: All You Need To Know

Why Are Kit Houses So Popular?

Today, with the increased interest in self-sufficiency and sustainability, contemporary kit homes are becoming increasingly popular. Where once kit homes were utilitarian - see the British prefabs - many contemporary kit homes are cutting edge and stylish utilising recycled materials - such as sea containers - as well as timber, glass and steel.

Are Kit Houses A New Fad?

Over the last decade, the timber and glass open-plan Huf Haus has become synonymous with the increase in interest 'off the peg' kit houses - just think of the popularity of the Grand Designs Huf Haus. But the movement towards prefabricated houses began nearly 100 years ago in the USA (see our feature on LA Kit Homes for an example). In fact, so popular did they become, catalogue company Sears & Roebuck even sold kit homes by mail order.

In the UK, however, prefabricated houses are associated with temporary or poorer quality housing in the post-war years. Perhaps surprisingly, many of the 'prefabs' that were meant to last little more than a decade are still standing. Some are still used as permanent residences as well as second homes by devotees attracted to the 'down home' accommodations.

What Are The Upsides Of Kit Homes?

Layout

The timber and glass Huf Haus, so beloved of the design conscious, has moved to centre stage over last few years. Just over a decade ago, it was considered daring and bold. Today the architectural style of large open plan living spaces has become de rigeur for those who wish to live in a contemporary interior environment.

Quality Control

Michael O'Connell, a director of EOS Limited, which manufactures light gauge steel frame systems for residential and commercial use, notes there are many advantages in using modular steel frames, including better quality control as they are factory-built, and the speed of the building process, which can reduce costs.

Eco-Friendly Properties

'The lightweight steel frames combined with our highly insulated roofing and wall panels create properties which exceed building regulation requirements in all aspects of thermal requirements and building quality,' continues O'Connell. 'This means they are more environmentally friendly.'

Flexbility

'The systems are versatile and rooms can be of any type or style the architect wishes to design and, within reason, there is no limit to the size of the rooms or the size of the dwelling,' says O'Connell. 'The planning issues are no different to building a traditional home.'

What Do Kit Houses Cost?

The prices of the kits vary depending on how much or how little you want factory built - typical kits can start at as little as £150 per metre sq to over £500 per metre sq. O'Connell notes that most people will need some assistance from a builder to construct the kit house. 'Or you can employ the various trades yourself and project manage it as they do in Grand Designs.'

The beauty of the Huf Haus and several other Germanic- and Nordic-inspired kit house builders such as Scandia-Hus and WeberHaus, is that the homes are constructed off-site and can be assembled in 10 to 14 days, depending on the house's complexity. Naturally, such skill and precision comes at a price - around £1,200-£1,500 per metre sq for a Huf Haus. On a crude calculation that's around £300,000 for a 200 metre sq, four-bedroom house. Scandia-Hus estimates its cost is around half that figure.