How to Sell a House with Non-Standard Construction in the UK

Steel-framed houses have metal frames instead of brick walls.

British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF) houses were built after World War Two using steel frames. The steel can go rusty over time, which makes the whole house weak. Many insurance companies won’t cover these houses because of rust problems.

Getting a mortgage on steel-framed houses is very hard. Most banks think they are too risky.

Timber-framed houses use wood as the main building material.

These houses can catch fire more easily than brick houses. Damp is also a big problem because wood rots when it gets wet. Insurance costs are often higher for timber-framed properties.

Banks like newer timber-framed houses with proper promises. Older ones are much harder to get loans for.

Precast concrete houses are made from concrete panels put together.

PRC houses were built quickly after the war using concrete panels. The panels can crack and let water in over time. Some types have problems that make them unsafe.

Most banks won’t lend money on PRC houses. Fixing concrete panel houses costs lots of money and is very complicated.

In-situ concrete houses are made on-site rather than using panels.

Wimpey No-Fines houses use concrete poured without fine sand. This makes the concrete weaker and more likely to crack. These houses often don’t keep heat in well and can be cold and damp.

Some banks will think about these houses, but usually want detailed reports first.

Some houses use unusual building stuff like cob, thatch, or have flat roofs.

Cob houses are made from clay, sand, and straw mixed together. Thatched roofs look lovely but need replacing every 25-30 years. Flat roofs often leak and need looking after regularly.

Special insurance is often needed for unusual building materials. This costs more than normal house insurance.

Modular houses are built in bits in factories, then put together on-site.

Post-war prefabs were meant to be temporary, but some still exist today. Many have problems and don’t keep heat in well. Modern prefabs are of much better quality, but some banks still won’t give loans for them.

If your non-standard construction house has become hard to live in safely, specialist buyers might be your best choice.

Most buyers don’t want non-standard construction houses.

Normal homebuyers get scared by unusual building methods. They worry about hidden problems and expensive fixes. Many people don’t understand how these houses are built.

Cash buyers are often your best choice. They can buy without needing a bank loan. Finding the right buyer takes much longer than normal house sales.

Banks don’t like giving loans for non-standard construction houses.

Most banks won’t give loans on these houses. They think they are too risky. Even small unusual things can make a property hard to get a loan for.

Some special lenders will think about non-standard houses. But they want more money up front and charge higher interest.

Insurance for non-standard houses costs much more than normal.

Many insurance companies won’t cover unusual building types at all. The ones that will often charge double or triple the normal price. Getting quotes can be very hard.

Higher insurance costs put off many buyers who can’t afford the ongoing costs.

Working out how much non-standard houses are worth is very hard.

There aren’t many similar house sales to compare with. Estate agents find it hard to price these houses. Non-standard houses often sell for 10% to 30% less than similar normal houses.

Getting accurate valuations takes longer and costs more money.

Non-standard houses take much longer to sell.

Normal houses might sell in 6 to 12 weeks. Non-standard houses often take 6 months to 2 years to find the right buyer. The legal process also takes longer.

You need to be patient and ready for a long selling process.

Selling non-standard houses needs lots of extra paperwork.

Engineer reports are often needed to show that the house is safe. Special surveys cost much more than normal house surveys.

All this extra paperwork costs more money and takes extra time.

Some non-standard houses are officially called defective.

The government has lists of problem building types that are known to be defective. Houses on these lists are almost impossible to get loans for. This makes them very hard to sell to normal buyers.

Check if your house type is on any defective lists before trying to sell.

Get experts to tell you what your house is worth.

Estate agents who know about unusual houses can give better advice. Don’t ask for too much money, or buyers will stay away. Being realistic about your house’s value helps it sell quicker.

Fixing and updating can solve many problems that put buyers off. Update old wires and pipes to make the house safer and nicer.

New kitchens and bathrooms help buyers forget about the unusual building.

Focus on changes that add real value to your house. Better fittings make your home feel more modern. Smart updates can increase your selling price a lot.

Energy changes make your house cheaper to run.

Better insulation keeps heat in and cuts energy bills. New windows and doors help with keeping heat in, too.

Buyers like houses that won’t cost lots to heat and cool.

Fixing common problems before selling shows buyers you care about the house. Fix any damp problems, cracks, or leaks right away.

Get expert reports to show the house is safe.

Dealing with problems early stops bigger issues during the sale. Small fixes now save thousands later. Buyers trust sellers who look after their houses properly.

Get special insurance quotes before selling to help buyers understand ongoing costs.

Some insurance companies work with unusual houses and offer better deals.

Getting loan pre-approvals from special lenders shows buyers that financing is possible. This makes your house less risky for buyers.

Professional photos can make your house look amazing in adverts. Good photographers know how to show unique features that make your house special.

They can make an unusual building look interesting rather than scary.

Great photos get more people to book visits. Online listings with poor photos get ignored. Professional images are worth the extra cost.

Making detailed information packs saves time and builds buyer confidence.

Include reports, insurance details, and any warranties. Put together information about the building type and its benefits.

Having everything ready shows you’re organised and honest about your house.

Market timing can make a big difference to how quickly you sell. Spring and early summer are usually the best times to put houses on the market. Fewer people look at houses in the winter months.

Understanding when to sell your house can help you choose the right moment to start marketing.

Most house sales take months, but we can buy your property in as little as 7 days.

This quick process is perfect if you need to move soon or want to avoid being stuck in a long chain of buyers and sellers. We have the cash on hand so don’t need to wait for mortgages or a chain to collapse. 

Did you know 1 in 3 sales fall through on the open market?

We know how frustrating it is to get 6 months into a process and have a buyer pull out.

When we give you the final price for your house, that’s the amount you’ll get. Guaranteed!

You won’t face any costs with us.

We handle all the expenses involved in buying your property, including legal fees and surveys. You get cash in your bank when the sale is complete, and there are no surprise estate agent commissions to worry about.

Our team supports you through the whole selling process.

We keep you updated about what’s happening and answer any questions quickly. You’ll always understand what’s going on with your sale and what happens next.

Our property experts will value your house at no cost to you.

They look carefully at your property and check local market prices to give you an accurate figure. This professional service comes with no obligations.

Forget about cleaning and tidying for viewings.

We don’t need multiple visits or open houses to make our offer. This means no strangers walking through your home, and no disruption to your daily life.

Whether your house needs work or is in perfect condition, we’ll buy it.

We have experience with all types of properties and conditions. This means you can sell your house to us no matter what state it’s in.

Our expert team manages all the legal requirements for you.

We work with experienced property lawyers who make sure everything runs smoothly, and put your property at the top of their list. This gives you peace of mind that your sale is being handled properly from start to finish.