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Timber house in UK - would you live in one?

Emma Chesterton-Brown

6 years ago

We are about to purchase a house, which is made of timber and categorised as non-traditional. It was built in 1940 and looks pretty well. Would you consider buying one even though it is not conventional for the UK standards?

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Comments (2)

Angela Gilham
6 years ago
I live in a timber-framed house...and it's still standing approximately 450 years after building :-)

However...as I'm sure you've found out, the words "non-traditional" make mortgage providers run for the hills, and surveyors start looking nervous. Unless you're a cash buyer, a huge range of mortgages just aren't available because the lenders specify "predominantly stone or brick construction" or other such weasel words.

Have a look through the Grand Designs magazine (for this type of thing, the magazine is actually very useful) for surveyors and structural engineers who specialise in timber or experimental buildings, and get one of them to look at the house. A specialist in timber will have a much better idea of what to look for in terms of structural or material problems.

Good luck!
Emma Chesterton-Brown
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Angela! Glad to hear about your house doing so well! We fell in love with the house but as you said - the surveyor is rather biased. Good idea with getting an opinion of a timber specialist.

What are the biggest challenges from your experience if I may ask?

Cheers!

Emma
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