Potton timber framed houses

[motco]

Just looking at what houses are available in my area within a particular price range, and there's one that seems to have 'stuck'. It's a nice sized detached house in a very good location and area for area it should have sold quickly at the price. But it is a Potton timber framed house and has only storage heaters for heating. The heating could easily be sorted because there's gas in the road and most boilers are okay in timber framed buildings if correctly installed, but it would seem that the method of construction might be the stumbling block. Has anyone any experience of selling on a timber framed house - Potton especially? Is it really a problem? Lenders aren't fazed by it neither are insurers, so why the hang-up?

[AlexanderV8]

There are many thousands of houses people probably don't even realise are timber framed as they have a brick skin on the outside. Barratts & Broseley homes built thousands over the last few decades. The timber frame, not the brick skin holds the roof up. If properly constructed, there shouldn't be a problem. Barratts forgot to tie the brick gable ends to the frame on one particular estate and in windy weather, some gable ends came down which caused a scare for a while.

Around where I live, these type of houses sell on fine. I had one myself and had no problems in the 10 years I owned it.

Potton homes are just up the road from me and are very well regarded in this area. I wouldn't hesitate to own one as I think they are very well designed and make extremeley attractive houses.

You must remember that wood framed houses date back hundreds of years - most thatched cottages are timber, and of course wooden barn conversions etc. As long as the sole plates are in good order, damp kept out and any pest prevention topped up, they should last many lifetimes.

[MKnight702]

Potton houses sell very well in my area, but they are made locally. The only thing I can think of is that it's one with the supporting posts in stupid places. One of the showhouses I've been round has some decidedly odd rooms with the beams in really awkward places, unfortunately the beams are structural so can't really be moved.

As for the storage heaters, some of the timber frame houses are really thermally efficient so don't need much heating, perhaps storage heaters are adequate?

[monthefish]

AlexanderV8 said:

There are many thousands of houses people probably don't even realise are timber framed as they have a brick skin on the outside.

^^^this.
(In Scotland around 75% of houses are Timber Frame.)

I'd be very surprised if this was the reason the house isn't selling. (It'd be naive in the extreme, and even if there were concerns purely about it being timber framed, any structural engineer would rubbish these concerns instantly).

[Poledriver]

Potton timber homes are very well built and I've never heard of any problems stemming from this type of construction. If insulated correctly they are normally 'thermally small' and will require a heating system which can heat up quickly. The rooms will warm up quickly but, as there is so little 'mass' will not retain heat for long. Ideal for those who are out all day. Many were built in the day when electricity was cheap, which is why you will find many with storage heaters fitted.

[blueg33]

Speaking as a developer who has built 100's of timber framed houses, I can confirm that it is rarely an issue for buyers. ModerntTimber frame is generally more thermally efficient than traditional construction and is often better made, as walls are made indoors, not in a field in the rain.

How old is the Potton house? Personlly I have seen some vey very good Potton houses and personally wouldnt hesitate.

As with all timberframed houses, its worth checking that fixtures to the inseide of extranal walls have been done in accordance with the instructions for each design of house. Its easy to damage the vapour membrane and that can lead to damp problems. Eg shelves fixed with 6 inch long screws are not a good idea.

[motco]

Chaps, I appreciate the replies, thanks. My interest is, at the moment, information gathering as I would like to move to this area. The house in question Loosley Row is more expensive than I want to pay (or probably could pay) but if might come down, who knows. I am interested in why this house in this desirable location, hasn't sold when other comparable sized ones at higher prices have.

ETA it's built in 1991 apparently.

Edited by motco on Tuesday 2nd November 17:54

[blueg33]

motco said:

Chaps, I appreciate the replies, thanks. My interest is, at the moment, information gathering as I would like to move to this area. The house in question Loosley Row is more expensive than I want to pay (or probably could pay) but if might come down, who knows. I am interested in why this house in this desirable location, hasn't sold when other comparable sized ones at higher prices have.

ETA it's built in 1991 apparently.

Edited by motco on Tuesday 2nd November 17:54

Sometimes there is no real definable reason why one house sells and another doesnt. In Warwickshire Potton houses used to command a premium, and they may still do so.

[Grandad Gaz]

AlexanderV8 said:

Potton homes are just up the road from me and are very well regarded in this area. I wouldn't hesitate to own one as I think they are very well designed and make extremeley attractive houses.

Yeah, me too. I think they are great. I wanted to build one many years ago, but could not find a plot to put it on.

If you are still unsure, why not pop along and have a look at their show houses? They used to be around Little Paxton, not sure if they are still there.

[motco]

I am quite encouraged by the responses from all of you. I may well go to the factory and have a look because even if this one isn't right for me (haven't viewed it) there may be others - I'm in no hurry. The question is what were they like in 1991, I suppose? Of course if the local opinion isn't favourable the price might come down - again, it's already been dropped by £50k.

Cheers chaps!

[Zippee]

Grandad Gaz said:

AlexanderV8 said:

Potton homes are just up the road from me and are very well regarded in this area. I wouldn't hesitate to own one as I think they are very well designed and make extremeley attractive houses.

Yeah, me too. I think they are great. I wanted to build one many years ago, but could not find a plot to put it on.

If you are still unsure, why not pop along and have a look at their show houses? They used to be around Little Paxton, not sure if they are still there.

Showhomes are still there, including a beautiful one from the Heritage range that the OP is looking at. We also looked at a Potton build but land round here is just so expensive we couldn't afford it. Shame as my wifes best friend is on of Pottons CAD designers.

[dan101smith]

motco said:

Chaps, I appreciate the replies, thanks. My interest is, at the moment, information gathering as I would like to move to this area. The house in question Loosley Row is more expensive than I want to pay (or probably could pay) but if might come down, who knows. I am interested in why this house in this desirable location, hasn't sold when other comparable sized ones at higher prices have.

ETA it's built in 1991 apparently.

Edited by motco on Tuesday 2nd November 17:54

Very similar to my house. That fireplace is almost identical, in fact.

According to my neighbours, the previous-but-owners wouldn't use the fireplace as they were scared about the house burning down, as it is timber-framed...

[Busamav]

motco said:

I am quite encouraged by the responses from all of you. I may well go to the factory and have a look because even if this one isn't right for me (haven't viewed it) there may be others - I'm in no hurry. The question is what were they like in 1991, I suppose? Of course if the local opinion isn't favourable the price might come down - again, it's already been dropped by £50k.

Cheers chaps!

around that time they were also fine , we worked with them as they were supplying all of the THF Travel Lodges of the time .

Much bigger concern than people think .

[motco]

dan101smith said:

motco said:

Chaps, I appreciate the replies, thanks. My interest is, at the moment, information gathering as I would like to move to this area. The house in question Loosley Row is more expensive than I want to pay (or probably could pay) but if might come down, who knows. I am interested in why this house in this desirable location, hasn't sold when other comparable sized ones at higher prices have.

ETA it's built in 1991 apparently.

Edited by motco on Tuesday 2nd November 17:54

Very similar to my house. That fireplace is almost identical, in fact.

According to my neighbours, the previous-but-owners wouldn't use the fireplace as they were scared about the house burning down, as it is timber-framed...

Very interesting dan101! What's the practicality of installing a gas fired wet heating system, do you reckon? I had storage heaters once before and the bills were so high that I thought about buying shares in the electricity supplier! Oh, and what's that white infill in the front elevation likely to be? Thanks for the input.

[dan101smith]

Installation should certainly be possible. One of the, er, quirks of these houses is that the internal walls are all dot-and-dab, so routing pipes and cables through the walls can be a bit of a pain.

We had this house in pieces before moving in to install a new kitchen and lots and lots of cabling, but when it came to moving pipework we ended up chiselling out the concrete floor and running the pipes there, as it was the easiest option in most places.

As for what the front elevation is - to be honest, I don't know. Wood of some sort, which doesn't help much I know

[motco]

Thanks Dan.