Buying guide: Should I buy a house with…

Should I Buy a Non-Standard Construction House?

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The short answer

Yes, if you confirm a mainstream lender will lend and the property is insurable on normal terms. Non-standard construction (precast concrete, steel frame, timber frame, thatch, single-skin) is not unsafe by definition, but some types (notably certain post-war concrete systems designated defective) restrict lenders and buyers. Verify lender and insurer appetite on the specific construction before you offer.

The real risk

'Standard construction' means brick or stone walls with a tiled or slated roof. Anything else, such as precast reinforced concrete (PRC), steel frame, timber frame, cob or thatch, is 'non-standard'. Many such homes are perfectly sound, but lenders treat them cautiously because resale and durability vary by type.

Some PRC types built after the war were designated defective under the Housing Defects legislation; these can be very hard to mortgage unless repaired to an approved standard with a PRC certificate. Thatch and timber frame mainly affect insurance cost and availability.

The practical risk is liquidity: if few lenders will lend, your buyer pool shrinks when you sell. Confirming lender and insurer appetite up front protects both your purchase and your exit.

What the data reveals

RICS survey / construction type

Identifies the exact construction and whether it is a designated-defective type.

PRC certificate / repair records

For designated concrete types, proof of approved repair is what unlocks mainstream lending.

Lender and insurer criteria

Whether mainstream lenders and insurers will cover the specific construction on normal terms.

How to check this exact address

  1. 1Ask the agent for the construction type and have a RICS surveyor confirm it.
  2. 2For concrete/steel-frame systems, ask whether it is a designated-defective type and request any PRC certificate or repair records.
  3. 3Confirm a mainstream lender will lend, and get a buildings-insurance quote, before you offer.
  4. 4Factor resale liquidity into your offer if the construction limits the buyer pool.

Worried about non standard construction at a specific address?

General guidance only gets you so far. The answer that matters is about the one house you're considering. HouseCheckup pulls flood risk, ground stability, mining, planning, EPC, crime and sold-price history (15+ checks from official sources) into a single buyer-grade report on that exact address, so you can triage it before committing to the £250–450 conveyancing search pack.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you get a mortgage on a non-standard construction house?
Often yes, but it depends on the type. Timber and steel frame are widely accepted; some precast-concrete (PRC) types are restricted unless repaired to an approved standard with a PRC certificate. Confirm lender appetite on the specific construction.
Is non-standard construction a problem?
Not inherently. Many such homes are durable and sound. The issues are mortgageability, insurance and resale liquidity, which vary by construction type. Designated-defective concrete types need the most care.
What is a PRC certificate?
A certificate confirming a precast reinforced concrete home of a designated-defective type has been repaired to an approved (PRC Homes) standard, which is usually required before mainstream lenders will lend.

Still have a question? We typically respond within 24 hours.

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