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What is a kit home?

A kit home is generally less expensive and time consuming than designing and building your new home from scratch. Money is saved on:

Building your kit home

You will still have to go through the usual planning and building regulations procedure and employ builders to carry out the construction of your home. The manufacturer of your kit home may also supply a service where they can arrange assembly.

Assembling the kit home yourself can be very time consuming and you will need the skills to carry out the construction. If you do have building skills but do not want to do all the work yourself, you can use sub-contractors. They can carry out more technical and specific jobs like electrical wiring and plumbing. 

Always read the manual from the manufacturer and get professional help if you are unsure about any aspect of the build. Selected companies, who provide kit homes, may also provide workshops for customers, to advise about the construction process.

Remember - if you do not follow the manufacturer's advice and take short-cuts you may put yourself at risk and void the warranty contract on your home.

• Building regulations

• Apply for planning permission online Opens new window

• Choosing traders and service providers

• Find your local council

Deciding what kit home to buy

Kit homes come in a variety of packages; some will be no more than a basic shell, including walls and roof, while others include interior fittings such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Go to home exhibitions or supplier's show room to see the sort of home you could buy and you can also request to see 'working models', a kit home that is being lived in. This is a good opportunity to talk to the owner about their experiences and if they encountered any problems.

It is always advisable to compare plans and materials from several different manufacturers, to make sure you get the best product available for your budget and needs.

Make sure that you have an inventory from the manufacturer to see exactly what is included in your kit home. Kit homes can be vast and it is not unusual for parts to go missing, so make sure you are aware of what has been delivered and how you intend to store materials.

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts