Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked.
Hopefully your question might be answered in this section, if you have further queries, please contact us.
Log Lodges and Houses
Q - How much do your Timber Frame and Log buildings cost?
A - We can only give an estimate in the first instance, as it is impossible to say without the full customer specifications - each project is considered on its own merit. As a rough guide, a log building usually costs between £700 and £800 m2 and a Timber Frame between £600 and £700 m2 complete and ready for you to move into. (These estimates do not include the cost of the building plot).
Q - Will I need planning permission?
A - Log and Timber Frame houses are subject to the same planning laws as a bricks & block house, if you submit an appropriate design and the site is suitable for a dwelling of this type and is within the permitted area for building, you have every chance of success. If you require assistance with your application for planning we will be only too please to offer assistance. All our buildings meet the full building and planning regulations for the UK.
Q - Can I get a mortgage or loan on a Timber Frame or Log House?
A -Timber Frame houses are fully recognized as being suitable for mortgages and loans, There are companies who have specialists departments that will offer mortgages and loans on log houses also. We can put you in touch with companies who are specialists in these projects.
Q - Can I get insurance?
A –The same applies as with mortgages . We can put you in touch with insurance companies who offer insurance on both Timber Frame and Log Houses.
Q - How long will my house last?
A – Timber was probably the one of the first building materials to be used by man after we moved out of the caves. The writer has been in log buildings in Finland that are over 150 years old and are still in daily use. There are other timber buildings throughout the world that are over three hundred years old. If you build and look after a good quality log cabin you can expect it to last for many generations to come.
Timber Frame has been in use in various forms for the past 100 years or so and is now accepted as the norm in the building industry,
Q – What is the fire risk on aTimber Frame or Log Cabin home?
A – UK fire regulations specify the exact standards required for building materials in respect to fire safety. The Finnish Technical Research Centre have shown that, a log wall can withstand a fire with a temperature of up to 1100°C for 113 minutes – this is far in excess of UK legal requirements. We treat the internal walls of our log houses with a transparent application of class 'O' spread of flame retardant.
Timber Frame houses are built with either 30 min's or 60 min's fire resistance as standard.
Q -What maintenance is required?
A – Log Cabins and Lodges are like all timber buildings, requiring periodic maintenance to ensure they stay in the best condition. House-uk treat the external walls with three coats of a good quality, environmentally friendly timber preservative, these will not need retreating for two years, when it is recommended applying another two top coats, after which you can leave it from 3/5 years before any further treatment will be necessary. For further information on timber preservatives please click on the 'Preservatives' link above.
Q - How long will it take?
A - From you applying for planning permission to completion approx. 9 months.
Q - Do you offer to help with planning etc?
A - Yes, we can offer a package to suit, which can include full planning application and building control, please ask for a quotation.
Q - What is self build?
A - Self build means you have direct involvement in design, construction and all the other things to do with the self build of your new home. You do not have to be a builder to self build.
Q - Do you offer to build the complete project?
A - We can arrange to have your new home, office, factory etc. built for you if required.
Q - Do we have to accept your set designs or can we design our own home?
A - We can offer you set designs if required, but would prefer you designed your new home yourself with our assistance and advice.
Q - How much will I save with self building my own home?
A - You can save up to 25%, this will depend on many things, you are more likely to save in excess of 25% the more work you do yourself, on the other hand if you employ trades people to do it for you, you may have to be content in the knowledge that you will end up with a much better, more environmentally friendlier, warmer and more economical home with a much higher specification and one that will appreciate and hold it’s value.
Q - Do you export to other countries?
A -We mainly concentrate on the UK.
Q - Do you supply to builders and the commercial sector?
A - Yes, we can supply for any Timber Frame project whatever the size, shape and design, we specializes in bespoke projects.
Both Timber Frame and Log buildings are used for Village Halls, Golf Clubs, Offices etc. these can be supplied in virtually any shape or size.
Q - How can I find out how much my proposed project is going to cost?
A - Firstly we ask you to present us with some form of plan, so that we can relate to your needs, so often people phone us up out of the ‘blue’, give us a size and then ask ‘How much will this cost us’, they might just as well ask us how long a piece of string is. There is no way we will pluck a figure out of the air; we must have something to go on first.
All we ask is some form of detailed plan of your requirements, so that we can offer you the best service and price.
What are you waiting for, if you have the land and planning permission, draw up that plan and send it to us with the specification of your requirements, don't forget to include your phone number as we will need to call you to discuss details of your plan and to determine the type of planning permission you have. |
