Timber Frame - another house buying disaster

Furts

Davesnave wrote: »

I was distinguishing between theolder,non-standard constructions of earlier times and the the perfectly mortgageable houses that have been built more recently, but I didn't know this.
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This is a fair point, but there are a couple of fundamental flaws with all modern timber frames which nobody has yet picked up, or publicised. Give it a couple of decades and it is probable the lenders will be viewing these homes with caution. Here the key words are cut timbers not receiving treatment, torn membranes and missing cavity socks.

A separate issue is multi storey timber frame has been in the spot light over the last few years, but this has been kept within the construction industry. I am not aware of consumer picking up on this. The builders are eternally greatful for this. Here the key word is "Fire".

Jonesy88

Until recently I lived in a timber framed property (built in 2005 so not the same era as yours). The mortgage company didn't bat an eye lid as they said that although it wasn't traditionally built, it was still conventionally built.

To me the biggest annoyance was needing special wall fittings to hang anything up!

I'd be more concerned with the abandoned property/general feeling of the street than the construction (providing your survey finds nothing).

Sammy5

Thanks for all the input and advice, it has been very helpful. I think I'll start trying to find out more about that seemingly abandoned property tomorrow and go from there. That's probably my main concern right now. After doing some research this evening I feel a little better knowing that they're still building timber framed houses, as it means that whatever else, I won't be in a particularly unusual position. The area seems nice and I love the design of the property itself (it has a mezzanine/balcony bedroom which looks down into the lounge and feels like a holiday home!).

I hadn't really thought about the problem of putting up shelves and hanging things on walls... I'm going to need a LOT of DVD/book shelves, so if I were to buy then I think I'd need to build some sort of frame which would exactly fit the wall and then fix it in place, sort of wedged in there, then fix shelves within the frame. Basically a wall full of nothing but DVDs and books. Or I could buy many many many storage units from Ikea. My first house was a 60s built council house of 'standard' construction and I put up tons of shelves in there. And it had built in wardrobes, which would've been great were it not for the fact that they weren't wide enough to accommodate clothes hangers, so all clothes needed to be turned at an angle before the doors could be closed. Major design flaw!

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll see how I get on tomorrow with my research and go from there. Fingers crossed it works out, as I've spent a lot of money now and there isn't a lot out there for this sort of money. Certainly nothing with a second room, at least.

rpc

comeandgo wrote: »

In Scotland it's mostly timber frames, has been for years and you won't get anywhere colder or wetter.

It is because of the cold and wet that Scotland has gone this way. Although "traditional" methods are catching up, timber frame construction gives you a weather proof structure the quickest.

No problems with them being timber frame, only when trying to explain to an English lassie when sorting out house insurance, she had never heard of them.

Tell me about it! And most of the online sites won't quote for timber frame but when you call them up it makes no difference to the price. Pain in the derrière.

The ABI have guidance and as long as there is a brick or block skin they don't really care.

Furts

rpc wrote: »

It is because of the cold and wet that Scotland has gone this way. Although "traditional" methods are catching up, timber frame construction gives you a weather proof structure the quickest.

Over the last ten years the stud size has increased with timber frame to meet the Building Regulations. This has pushed up the cost. Meanwhile the block and insulation manufacturers have got better at designing brick and block traditional houses. Hence the timber frame selling point of 15 yeras ago about greater insulation is not of great relevance today.

IMHO, having been involved in countless homes, timber frame should be avoided for conventional homes. I have self built homes, and am typing this from one, but have never desired a timber frame.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Sammy5 wrote: »

I love the design of the property itself (it has a mezzanine/balcony bedroom which looks down into the lounge and feels like a holiday home!).

I'm not sure this would be everyone's cup of tea- how long are you planning to live in the property? Remember all future buyers will be asking the same questions as you.

Waywardmike

My first house was a timber framed Barratt Home built in 1984.

I say first but we actually still own it, it's currently let. We certainly have never had any problems with it in the 11 years we've owned it and there wasn't any raised eyebrows by anyone during the buying process. In fact we loved living in it are glad we still have it.

Considering it's now 30 years old, do I still think it'll be here 50/100 years from now? Of course I do.

We have houses being thrown up in a development around our current house that seem well made, (until I watched them put the matchstick thick roof trusses up), these are already sold and are hideously overpriced IMO so I can't imagine they've got a short life attached to them....

I'm currently in a 90 year old solid brick built house that seems considerably more robust but can be damp if we're not careful about ventilation and humidity levels, something we didn't even have to consider in our old house, although the semi next door was occupied.

rpc

Furts wrote: »

Over the last ten years the stud size has increased with timber frame to meet the Building Regulations. This has pushed up the cost. Meanwhile the block and insulation manufacturers have got better at designing brick and block traditional houses. Hence the timber frame selling point of 15 yeras ago about greater insulation is not of great relevance today.

I said nothing about insulation. Timber frame gets you to a point where the rain is kept out sooner (but by much less than it used to). In Scotland we have lots of rain.

Our current detached house is timber frame and far warmer than our previous terraced house which was brick/block cavity construction.

IMHO, having been involved in countless homes, timber frame should be avoided for conventional homes. I have self built homes, and am typing this from one, but have never desired a timber frame.

I don't really care what the house is made from, so long as it is fairly conventional. There are far more important things to look for. As an owner, rather than a builder, I don't see either construction method as being inherently good or bad. If we move again, it will probably be to a timber frame house but that is simply because most houses here are timber frame and not out of any preference.

Sammy5

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I'm not sure this would be everyone's cup of tea- how long are you planning to live in the property? Remember all future buyers will be asking the same questions as you.

Agreed, but I think you could easily extend the small upstairs cupboard to close off the balcony. I think as a starter home it would get quite a lot of interest, especially with the extra room having been added at the side. I'm only planning to stay there for maybe 2 years, just until I know what I'm going to do next with my life. It might extend possibly to 4 or 5 years, but the mortgage is currently fixed for 2.

bris

The construction is arguably one of the best so no concern there.


You should research and know the area better than anyone but the notice on the neighbours property sounds to me like an official notice after an eviction. There are steps to take before you can dispose of people goods after they leave a property, notices are one of them.


This could be that a LL had some properties in the area that have been repossessed but due diligence can tell you this, you can get owners details from the land registry.


The road is also no problem with the costs, just because no one is living there doesn't mean the owners are not liable for the shared costs, whether it's a LL or the bank, they are still owned by some one.