Construction Systems: Package Building
As part of H&R's 12 Steps of Self Build, we look at Package Builds and find there's more to choosing a build method than selecting materials and techniques.
ABOVE: Some examples of houses built by package companies. Clockwise from top left: Timber Frame by Baufritz; Timber Frame by Potton; Masonry by Design & Materials; Oak by TJ Crump & Oakwrights.
Central to the decision is the whole question of procurement, or how you get your superstructure delivered. Traditional, in this context, means going with an architect or a designer, allied with the skills of the local building trades. The alternative is to work with a dedicated homebuilding business, or package company. As a rule, these package companies deliver timber framed homes from their own factories, but there are many differences between them and if you are thinking of using one, you have to pay close attention to what it is they are offering.
Not all package-build companies are timber frame. Design & Materials, for example, works mainly with masonry mater - ials. There are some, such as Custom Homes, who offer a choice of build systems (SIPs or timber frame). And there are examples of continental custom home builders who deliver panelised masonry homes.
Scottish Experience
Scotland has the most developed packagebuild industry in the UK. It is based around a very standard product, delivered by a building trade which is fully conversant with it. Most Scottish package builds are based on timber frame, and the companies working in the sector all deliver much the same package, which includes the joinery ready-fitted and the plasterboard. This makes it much easier to compare quotations.
In contrast, package-build companies in the rest of the UK, and from the continent, work to very different standards and provide very different levels of service. Some are supplying nothing more than the superstructure, others offer to supply many additional items such as joinery and wall finishes, whilst many of the continental suppliers are keen to deliver every single item making up the finished house.
Even the measuring systems vary. Bear in mind that the unofficial UK method of measuring house size is to use the internal or net floor area, whereas most German and Swedish companies use the gross area, which includes the width of the external walls. So a 160m2 house measured the British way could well be said to be 180m2 using the continental system.
FACTORY BUILDS
There are a number of companies who can provide a full turnkey service, building virtually the whole house in a factory, not just the superstructure as happens with conventional timber frame. This solution is commonplace on the continent: the houses are usually timber frame but there are also masonry versions as well. This particular timber frame house is from German package company Baufritz. Read more about it here
