PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.Under Construction
Options
Lord_Baltimore
Posts: 1,348 Forumite
So whenever you watch one of these house renovation programmes, invariably the decision is taken to move a (load-bearing) wall or whatever to modernise the space and make it more user-friendly for the current occupant. In which case, why don't developers building new homes these days incorporate a steel skeleton so that future changes in usage can be done with less fuss and as frequently as needs be?
Cost will be a consideration but there's all that cheap Chinese steel to be used or better still reinvigorate the ailing steel works at Port Talbot who could supply developers with the raw material for all the new, steel-framed homes that could be built.
I'm sure future buyers would find the flexibility to adapt living space without all those visible steel beams attractive, and the blokes at DIY SOS, Grand Designs, Building the Dream in the 2030's etc would have a much easier time of it! As would of course all us home owners who can change our living space with less upheaval and as often as we like.
Ok, I must be missing something; what is it?
Cost will be a consideration but there's all that cheap Chinese steel to be used or better still reinvigorate the ailing steel works at Port Talbot who could supply developers with the raw material for all the new, steel-framed homes that could be built.
I'm sure future buyers would find the flexibility to adapt living space without all those visible steel beams attractive, and the blokes at DIY SOS, Grand Designs, Building the Dream in the 2030's etc would have a much easier time of it! As would of course all us home owners who can change our living space with less upheaval and as often as we like.
Ok, I must be missing something; what is it?
Mornië utulië
0
Comments
-
Build them cheap and stack them high....
Developers aren't interested in building quality homes0 -
-
Lord_Baltimore wrote: »But won't Developer's build what the market demands?
Have you seen the rabbit hutches?
How much demand is there for 2 up 2 down terraced properties, who actually wants that?
People are like sheep, desperate to get on the ladder and grateful to the builder for providing them with the opportunity to buy a 'house'
National housing shortage... Build it cheap, stack it high and watch them flock to live in a cardboard box.0 -
There's nothing in it for the builders.
If you have two houses for sale, both ostensibly the same but one built as you describe, with a 10k difference in price - the buyers are going to go for the cheaper house every time.0 -
Have you seen the rabbit hutches?
How much demand is there for 2 up 2 down terraced properties, who actually wants that?
People are like sheep, desperate to get on the ladder and grateful to the builder for providing them with the opportunity to buy a 'house'
National housing shortage... Build it cheap, stack it high and watch them flock to live in a cardboard box.
You're making a social statement. I am simply wondering if property that is constructed in an inherently more easily adaptable way for the range of differing occupants it will accommodate would be more user-friendly, desirable and functional. And not all new builds are for FTB's.There's nothing in it for the builders.
If you have two houses for sale, both ostensibly the same but one built as you describe, with a 10k difference in price - the buyers are going to go for the cheaper house every time.
I did say cost would be an issue but I'm not so convinced it would be a deal breaker. Eventually it will be an absorbed cost in market values. Perhaps there could be a subsidised construction programme to get the ball rolling. After all, traditional builds won't keep pace with population increase.Mornië utulië0 -
Lord_Baltimore wrote: »You're making a social statement. - Buying property is a social market. I am simply wondering if property that is constructed in an inherently more easily adaptable way for the range of differing occupants it will accommodate would be more user-friendly, desirable and functional. - Of course it would. Just like buying a Brand new BMW would be more reliable than a 10 year old Citroen. And not all new builds are for FTB's.
I agree not all new builds are for FTBs
Many are bought up by BTL landlords
Others by growing families
And yet others by would be middle classes looking for a suburban environment.
However that still doesn't change my statement that builders on the whole build cheap, knowing that they will sell because people are desperate to 'achieve' ownership, whether that's up-sizing, down sizing or FTBs.
You cannot simply ignore a market trend because of a social stance.0 -
I agree not all new builds are for FTBs
Many are bought up by BTL landlords
Others by growing families
And yet others by would be middle classes looking for a suburban environment.
However that still doesn't change my statement that builders on the whole build cheap, knowing that they will sell because people are desperate to 'achieve' ownership, whether that's up-sizing, down sizing or FTBs.
You cannot simply ignore a market trend because of a social stance.
So, as far as you're concerned, there is no merit in the idea suggested in my OP?Mornië utulië0 -
Lord_Baltimore wrote: »So, as far as you're concerned, there is no merit in the idea suggested in my OP?
No there's merit, absolutely.
There's just not the market for it.
I'd say a specialist builder, or perhaps developments which accommodate people with disabilities could be interested in this, but the market is so small it's basically easier just to build bespoke0 -
Mass House builders are only interested in doing what is appropriate for them to sell the house to the first buyer. They aren't interested in long term adaptions, or what some one may or may not do at some unknown point in the future. They aren't going to increase their cost base just for your benefit.Eat vegetables and fear no creditors, rather than eat duck and hide.0
-
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 449.7K Spending & Discounts
- 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 608K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 173.1K Life & Family
- 247.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards