If you happen to’ve by no means heard of them, prefabricated properties – typically referred to as prefab properties – are properties which can be constructed off-site after which transported and assembled at their last vacation spot.
A lot of these properties are usually cheaper and sooner to assemble than conventional constructing strategies as builders don’t have to spend as a lot time on-site constructing the home from scratch.
Regardless of their reasonably priced value, prefab properties are literally pretty sturdy and are a protected and reasonably priced different to conventional brick and mortar properties.
The historical past of prefab properties within the UK
Picture supply: Le_Deluge
Following the housing scarcity within the UK after the Second World Battle, then-prime minister Winston Churchill made prefabricated properties a serious a part of the push to construct new properties rapidly and affordably.
It was thought the Blitz had brought about roughly 450,000 properties to be both fully destroyed or uninhabitable. Because of this, the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act 1944 was handed to assist clear up this problem. Churchill deliberate to construct 500,000 prefab properties, every of which had a lifespan of as much as 10 years.
Or so it was thought. Regardless of their proposed 10-year lifespan, numerous prefabricated properties from the Nineteen Forties are nonetheless standing as we speak. That is testomony to the sturdy design and development of prefab properties.
Not solely this, however the prefabricated properties constructed within the UK after the Second World Battle have been removed from missing. In reality, they included numerous improvements that made them appear positively luxurious by the interval’s requirements.
Publish-Second World Battle prefab improvements
The Ministry of Works, the federal government division in control of the housing venture, created numerous improvements to the house. Maybe essentially the most notable of those was what they referred to as the “service unit” within the prefab house, which was the place the kitchen and loo have been positioned back-to-back. This meant all plumbing was in the identical place so was very simple to put in.
The service unit additionally included numerous objects we take without any consideration now, however have been a luxurious within the Nineteen Forties. This features a again boiler for central heating and scorching water, in addition to a built-in oven, fridge and water heater. These improvements have been truly forward of their time, with most conventional residential properties nonetheless relying on an out of doors lavatory and a coal fireplace with which to warmth water.
Not solely have been the properties stuffed with improvements, however their location was additionally one thing of a luxurious. Many individuals who had been affected by the Blitz have been used to cramped metropolis circumstances, however various the brand new properties have been developed subsequent to inexperienced belts and parks. This was to assist velocity up development, however it had the additional benefit of giving the residents a style of rural life.
What are prefabricated properties constructed from?
Picture supply: Adobe Inventory
These properties have been constituted of numerous totally different supplies. This included timber-framed designs and even aluminium, which was constituted of surplus plane supplies.
Sadly, it was discovered that British prefabs have been truly dearer to assemble than conventional brick and mortar homes despite cautious analysis into America’s success for protecting prices low whereas producing prefab properties.
And because the UK economic system started to get better, the price of manufacture rose. This led to the development of prefab properties drawing to an in depth.
As an alternative, the federal government turned to precast strengthened concrete (PRC) properties. These have been constituted of concrete panels and strengthened with metal and have been fast to assemble and simpler to construct. Like prefabs, they have been made in a manufacturing facility, however that they had a for much longer lifespan of 60 years.
What are the issues with prefabricated properties?
Picture supply: Adobe Inventory
As talked about above, many prefab properties survived lengthy after their proposed 10-year lifespan. Nevertheless, many prefab properties have been constructed with previous supplies and even asbestos, and lots of have rust and decay points, and have needed to be up to date to satisfy as we speak’s requirements.
Because of this, many native councils select to take away prefab homes fully in favour of newer housing developments. The variety of prefab properties has halved every year since 2000. Regardless of this, many residents nonetheless wish to save their properties from demolition. Sadly, this appears to be a shedding battle in the mean time.
For instance, the Excalibur Estate in Catford, Lewisham, was made up of 187 wooden-framed bungalows and a flat-roofed church. Regardless of residents trying to save lots of all of the properties, stress from the council meant solely six of the properties will stay and might be added as grade 2 listed properties.
Many properties are actually being demolished in favour of newer builds, with just a few examples of prefab properties being lifted from their web site and displayed in museums.
Fashionable prefab properties: are they making a comeback?
Though the post-WWII properties are structurally unsound by as we speak’s requirements, trendy prefab properties appear to be making a comeback – with many updates to make sure they’re appropriate to be used. These are “factory-made” properties, however are made to run effectively and to satisfy the security requirements we observe as we speak.
Concerned with uncommon properties? Read our blog on 3D-printed properties.
Are prefab properties sturdy?
There are quite a lot of advantages to purchasing a prefabricated house, together with their uncommon options and worth for cash. Regardless of what many imagine, modular properties – particularly extra trendy properties and post-war prefabs which were up to date to satisfy as we speak’s well being and security legal guidelines – have a excessive customary of development and are constructed for longevity as a lot as brick-built homes.
They’re constituted of supplies that may face up to put on and tear and all the weather properties face within the UK.
Are you able to get a mortgage on a prefab home?
It’s best to have the ability to get a normal residential mortgage on a prefab home, however it’s doubtless the property might be seen as a non-standard development. This implies high-street lenders might not give you a mortgage so you will want to go to a specialist lender.
Searching for prefab house insurance coverage?
Though prefabricated properties are available in all sizes and shapes and their trendy equivalents are reportedly far safer than the post-war prefab housing, some owners nonetheless report points with securing reasonably priced prefab home insurance.
Many insurers imagine prefabricated homes have non-standard dangers. Because of this, some insurers even refuse to insure these homes – or they hike up premiums.
We cowl a variety of prefab and modular properties. This consists of self-built properties, listed buildings, post-war properties and trendy equipment properties. Name 0333 270 3569 for a quote or book a callback at a time that fits you.
