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 Granny Annexs 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.
Q - Do I need planning permission to put a temporary building for my elderly parents to use as a day room in my garden?
A - You can use a suitable building of 30 m2 or less in a manner ancillary to the residential property possibly without planning permission; that is, not as someone's separate dwelling. You can use a mobile building as, say, a granny annex, but it must not become someone's only or main residence. There must remain a relationship between the building and the main house, so, for example, meals could be taken in the house and the annex used simply as an extra day-room and bedroom with no main cooking equipment, only toilet and washing facilities
Remember it must be mobile.
Also check to make sure your property deeds do not restrict this permitted development; particularly on more modern estates.
Q - I have been offered the field to the rear of my house so that I can extend my garden. Do I need Planning Permission?
A - YES you may need planning permission. If the land has been in agricultural (or other) use and unless incorporated within another housing scheme, is unlikely to benefit from any associated residential use. The Council could serve an enforcement notice; particularly if the field is in the green belt or other high amenity area. If you merely intend using it as a field for a pony or for the children to play in, then this is unlikely to require consent as it would be insufficient to amount to a change of use. But if you want to plant lawns, borders etc. this would most probably bring about such a change requiring planning permission.
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.
Q - Can I get insurance?
A –The same applies as with mortgages .
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 - 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 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. - What other uses can these buildings be used for?
A. - 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, . 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.
Q. - Can I finish my log or timber frame house off in the traditional way e.g. with plasterboard etc. A. - Yes, You can have either an all timber interior finish or an all traditional finish or a mix and match. If you need tuition on the finishing skills why not join a course at your local college similar to the one in the link below.
Plastering Courses
Shropshire Building Skills for expert tuition in our state of the art facilities where we provide Bricklaying, Plastering, Tiling, Plumbing, Pat and Electrical Courses.
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. |
