Self-build home: Appoint a supplier to design a kit house
Selection.
Kit homes will tend to be procured through a process of research or recommendation, rather than through a competitive selection process. The supplier of the kit house is offering a product and it is the self builder’s responsibility to determine whether the product is likely to suit their needs or not. It is important therefore when purchasing a kit house to visit a similar completed kit house to get a sense of how the building is likely to feel and to assess the quality of workmanship that can be expected.
Other than the style, quality and flexibility of the kit offered by a supplier, it is also important to consider the extent of the service being offered. Some suppliers will simply provide a shell for the self builder to fit out, whilst others might offer a full, turnkey service, even helping to arrange a mortgage.
Depending on the supplier, activities which may be outside the supply contract for a kit house might include:
- Obtaining necessary statutory approvals (such as planning permission and building regulations approval).
- Providing utilities to the site (such as water, electricity, gas, telecoms, drainage and so on).
- Providing a foundation slab.
- Fitting out the interior.
- Landscaping and providing access to the site (this might include; paths, drives, ramps, steps and so on).
The supplier may be able to help with some of these tasks (for example consulting with the local planning authority and obtaining building regulations approvals) or may be able suggest contractors or consultants that can help.
At this stage, any formal appointment should only be for design services, with agreement to purchase the kit house delayed until the design has developed satisfactorily, and a price and programme agreed.
Payment terms will vary depending on the supplier. Sometimes fees are required for design, planning application and building regulations applications as well as stage payments during fabrication and installation. Payments that have been made for design fees are sometimes deducted from the overall price when the main supply contract is signed.
It is important to ensure the kit house comes with a suitable warranty covering design, materials and workmanship, and that any fixtures and fittings are covered as well as the buildings fabric (albeit they may be covered by a separate, shorter-term warranty).
Mortgage lenders are likely to require a warranty before they will lend against the completed building. Warranty providers may wish to inspect the building as construction progresses.
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.