Inside the super modern flat-pack home you can buy for £12k – it’s double story, 3-bed and comes with a gorgeous terrace
BUYING your first home can set you back tens of thousands in deposit, moving costs, legal fees, and stamp duty.
Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of mortgage debt that you have to repay over decades.
As a result, the popularity of pre-fab homes is soaring, and Amazon sells many options.
One listing is for a gorgeous two-story house.
Described as a “double-story barn”, the property comes with “bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen”.
Its structure is a combination of a steel container and wood.
Whilst the £12,102.48 price tag might seem a lot, it’s less than a 5% deposit for the average UK house price (£268,087).
And homeowners have the flexibility to customise their build – from the overall colour, to the number of rooms, and overall layout.
Some customisations do come at an added cost though.
The “folding container house can be set up quickly” and “this design allows for quick relocation, making it perfect for temporary work sites, emergency housing, or vacation rentals”.
“Its portable nature ensures you can take your home wherever you need it,” the description says.
There are also economical benefits to a prefab house – the product description says living in one can “reduce your housing costs significantly”.
“Its efficient design can save you up to 70% compared to traditional building methods.
“The foldable structure minimises shipping and storage expenses, providing an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.”
It’s also an eco-conscious choice because each “container house promotes sustainable living through its energy-efficient design and use of recyclable materials”.
Homeowners can “experience modern living while minimising your environmental impact”.
The manufacturers say: “This home aligns with the growing trend towards eco-friendly housing solutions in today’s market.”
What is a prefabricated house?
A prefabricated house, or “prefab,” is a house built primarily off-site in a factory, then transported and assembled on-site.
Prefab homes are known for their faster construction times and potential cost savings compared to traditional stick-built homes.
There are two types of prefab homes…
- Kit Homes: Delivered to a site flat-packed for assembly by someone else.
- Modular Homes: Built in sections or modules in a factory, then transported and assembled on-site.
Are tiny homes legal in the UK?
TINY houses can be in the UK regardless of whether they are on a trailer base or not. The legality of tiny houses is all to do with where it is and what you use it for.
According to Planning Geek, constructing a granny annexe in your garden usually means you’ll need planning permission, especially if it has a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
This is because it’s seen as a separate living space rather than just an extension of your main home.
However, if you’re thinking about converting an existing outbuilding, like a garage, into a granny annexe or a tiny home, you might not need planning permission.
That said, it’s important to make sure the space doesn’t end up being a fully self-contained unit – for instance, if the converted area doesn’t include cooking facilities, it might not be classified as a separate dwelling.
It’s also worth noting that, while certain small outbuildings can be constructed under permitted development rights, the NAPC points out that this usually applies to structures like sheds or garages, rather than self-contained annexes.
According to The Tiny Housing, a tiny home on wheels must not exceed 2.55 meters in width to be road-legal in the UK. Also, with a standard car licence, the length cannot be more than seven meters.
While tiny homes offer an alternative living solution, they must comply with local planning and building regulations.
Always check with your local council to ensure compliance with all regulations.