When you’re looking at a home, it’s not just the layout or the location that matters – how it’s built can make a difference too.
The construction materials and methods used could affect your mortgage choices and insurance premiums, so it’s good to have a clear picture from the start.
What is considered standard construction?
Standard construction is generally preferred by lenders and insurers because it poses a lower risk, often resulting in more competitive rates. A property is typically classified as standard construction if it includes:
- Walls: made from brick or stone with a cavity.
- Roof: pitched roof with timber rafters covered with clay/concrete tiles, or natural slate.
What is considered non-standard construction?
Non-standard construction refers to any property built using methods or materials other than brick or stone walls and tile or slate roofs. These properties are often full of character, quirky designs, unusual features and one-of-a-kind charm you won’t find in standard builds but can be harder to insure and finance because they may present higher risks, such as structural issues or maintenance challenges.
We’ve included some of the non-standard construction methods below that we come across when assisting our clients to give you an idea of what to look out for.
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Examples of non-standard construction*
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Description
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Part or full timber-frame homes with cladding instead of brick
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Uses timber framing and non-brick external wall
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Steel framed houses
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Structural frame made of steel
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Thatched roofs
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Roofs made from straw, reed, or similar materials
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Flat roofs (some lenders might consider these standard, depending on the materials used)
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Horizontal or low slope roofs
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Cob, Wattle and Daub, straw bale
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Traditional, natural building materials
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Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
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Contemporary, innovative construction techniques built in a factory
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Converted churches
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Former church buildings adapted into residential properties
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Cornish construction
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Concrete-built homes used in Cornwall
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Dutch barn
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High curved roof (often corrugated metal)
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Insulated concrete form
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Hollow blocks filled with concrete for insulation
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Large panel systems
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Pre-cast large concrete panels used structurally
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Modular and POD construction
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Pre-assembled modules manufactured off site
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Mundic Block
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Concrete blocks containing mine waste, common in Cornwall
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Prefabricated concrete constructions
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Factory built concrete sections assembled on site
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Single skin brick (full or partial)
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Walls constructed with a single layer of brick
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Structural insulated panel solutions
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Panels made of insulating foam between structural boards
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*Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Why does it matter?
Lenders and insurers view non-standard properties as higher risk because they may be more expensive to repair or maintain, have limited resale value or require specialist surveys or insurance policies. It is important to be aware of how the construction type might affect things behind the scenes, such as your mortgage choices and insurance options.
With the right advice and guidance, buying a property with non-standard construction can be both exciting and straightforward. If you understand what your home is made of, you’re already in a great position to make informed decisions.
