The benefits of a self-build home package

If you’re looking for a hassle-free route when it comes to your self-build, a pre-manufactured home could be the answer.

Pre-manufactured homes are typically built from a timber frame or a timber closed-panel system in which the wall and possibly roof panels are made off-site and filled with insulation. With the right supplier you have control over almost all aspects of the specification and design.

So, what are the benefits of choosing this route?

Bespoke and unique

Self-build package suppliers can offer a ‘one stop shop’ which can include design and planning, manufacture and supply of the kit, including the windows and external doors, internal doorsets, which includes ironmongery, wardrobe doors and shelving, insulation and plasterboard, skirtings, architraves, staircase and balustrades. You would need to source the plumbing and electrics, along with bathrooms and kitchens, with separate suppliers.  

You might think you’ll end with a home that looks exactly like your neighbour’s but that’s not the case. You can adapt existing designs to suit your preferred style and layout, or find a bespoke solution. You can create something completely unique from various build packages that can be tailored to suit your requirements, giving you as much or as little involvement as you want.

Yes, there is a lot of detail to consider in the early stages before manufacture but there is a lot of flexibility to ultimately create something perfect and bespoke for your needs.

The need for speed

There’s no doubt about it. A pre-manufactured home is a speedy option. Construction is fast as the parts are prepared off-site ready for on-site assembly. According to Scotframe, which supplies timber kit packages, a pre-manufactured home can be built on average eight weeks faster when compared with traditional construction methods. They can also be built to a higher energy performance and a higher sustainability standard, making them more cost effective to live in as well as build.

Sustainable and energy efficient

The energy efficiency of a timber frame self-build home makes it the most environmentally friendly way to build, says Malcolm Thomson, Sales Director at Scotframe. 

“The amount of energy taken to produce timber components - their "embodied energy" - is much less than that of plastic, steel or concrete alternatives, and in fact structural timber has the lowest overall CO2 footprint of any building material. The thermal efficiency of timber frame is impressive, providing homes that are naturally warm in winter and cool in summer, allowing residents to enjoy significantly lower heating bills.

Malcolm adds: “As technology improves, timber frame just keeps getting better. Advances in manufacturing processes are continuously improving the air tightness and insulation potential of timber frame products. Offsite timber construction is now able to deliver fewer construction defects or wasted materials. 

“Additional benefits of timber frame include reduced noise levels on building sites, meaning that construction is less likely to disturb nearby residents or the local environment. There’s also the acoustic performance inside the homes – advances in timber frame manufacturing and in insulation’s acoustic performance mean that timber frame houses can now offer greater soundproofing than many traditionally built homes. 

“Delivering homes off-site, under factory conditions, offers a clean working environment that is unaffected by weather, improves productivity and enhances quality and safety.”

Cost control

One of the main advantages of a self-build home is that you can control the costs more effectively. It all depends on the model, design and unique elements you select. When it comes to cost – on average you’re looking at between £1,300-£1,600 per square metre for a complete build (including foundations, utilities etc), utilising a timber frame solution.

As package homes are manufactured in factory settings to adhere to strict procedures, the quality of construction is high. Using a single supplier can give you the peace of mind that you’re paying for a quality finished home.