Any one know anything about steel frame houses built after the war in the UK? ie, problems? higher insurance?

Question

some lenders a bit sniffy about them,I mean steel frame houses, not flats or industrial buildings. No american comments please, im interested in info about UK houses only,

Ta!

Answer 1

There are many different types if it is a 'Jesperson' let me know I have just purchased one and can tell you how to get round lenders :)

Answer 2

If you're thinking of buying one, unless it's been compeltely renovated and insulated by the council then DON'T! I've done many surveys of steel framed houses, mostly BISF (British Iron & Steel Foundation) and Howard dwellings built shortly after the war. They were intended to provide a temporary solution to the fact that most of the houses had been bombed flat, and were never really designed to last this long. I've seen some very good insulation schemes, whereby foam panel insulation is fixed to the outside of the building then rendered to protect it, but without this the steel houses are cold in winter and hot in summer. There are also (depending on which steel frame house type it is) severe corrosion issues, and it is not uncommon for structural steelwork to be in need of replacement due to advanced corrosion.

My advice would be not to buy one. They simply are not worth the trouble.

Answer 3

Do you mean pre-fabs if so they are all but un-insurable and I hope I'm proved wrong.

Answer 4

Very prone to rusting after all these years, and very difficult to get a mortgage on one. A lot of councils have now removed the steel frames and rebuilt in brick. There are grants available for this work