Non-standard construction homes can be perfectly liveable, but they don’t behave like a typical brick-and-block house when it comes to selling. Buyers get nervous, surveyors get picky, and mortgage lenders often tighten the rules. That slows everything down and it can push the price around. If you’re selling under pressure, it’s even more frustrating.
If you’re dealing with selling non standard construction house issues at the same time as visible defects, expect extra scrutiny. Problems that might be waved through on a ‘normal’ property can become deal breakers when the build type already makes lenders cautious.
In this article, we’re going to discuss how to:
- Work out whether your property is classed as non-standard construction, and why that matters.
- Understand what blocks mortgages, valuations and buyer confidence.
- Choose practical routes to a sale, depending on your timescales and budget.
What Counts As Non-Standard Construction
In UK conveyancing, ‘standard construction’ usually means brick or stone walls with a tile or slate roof, built using methods lenders are comfortable with. Non-standard construction is a wide bucket for anything outside that, including:
- PRC (precast reinforced concrete) houses, often post-war builds.
- Steel frame systems (sometimes with concrete panels).
- Timber frame systems, including older types where weatherproofing and detailing vary.
- Concrete construction, such as poured concrete walls, or concrete panel systems.
- Thatched roofs and some flat roofs, depending on materials and condition.
The point isn’t that these homes are ‘bad’. It’s that lenders and insurers like predictable risk. If fewer lenders will lend, fewer buyers can proceed. That’s the engine behind the friction.
Selling Non Standard Construction House: Why It’s Harder
When people struggle with selling non standard construction house types, it’s usually down to a smaller buyer pool and slower decision-making. A buyer might love the location and layout, but they also need a lender, a survey and buildings insurance that all agree with each other.
Three things tend to happen:
- More drop-outs after the survey. Non-standard builds can trigger specialist inspections, which cost money and take time.
- Valuation downshifts. Even where the home is sound, valuers can apply caution if comparable sales are thin on the ground.
- Longer chains and delays. Any extra report, repair quote or lender query can stall a chain that was already fragile.
It’s also common for defects to ‘stack’. For example, condensation and ventilation issues can lead to visible mould, and buyers will assume the worst. If that’s in the mix, read up on selling house with mould so you know what’s worth fixing and what needs clear disclosure.
Mortgageability: What Lenders Worry About
A big part of this topic is mortgageability, because most buyers need a mortgage. Lenders don’t just look at your buyer’s income, they look at the property as the security for the loan. If the property is hard to value, hard to insure, or has unknown lifespan, the lender may decline or add conditions.
Here’s what often sits behind ‘computer says no’:
- Construction type risk. Some PRC systems were designated defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984. That doesn’t mean every PRC house is unmortgageable, but it does mean lenders ask more questions.
- Durability and maintenance. Reinforced concrete can suffer from issues like steel corrosion if moisture gets in. Steel frames can corrode if detailing and protection are poor.
- Repairs and alterations. Changes over the years can be good or bad. A properly documented structural repair may help. An undocumented alteration can cause problems.
- Insurance availability. If buildings insurance is expensive or limited, lenders can treat that as a red flag.
This is where ‘concrete house mortgage’ conversations start. Some lenders will lend on some concrete systems, and refuse others. Criteria shift, and it varies by lender, condition and paperwork. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook gives a flavour of how lender requirements are framed, even though the fine detail depends on the lender and the case.
Surveys, Paperwork And What Buyers Will Ask For
If you want selling non standard construction house to go smoothly, assume the buyer will ask for more evidence than usual. Your job isn’t to ‘spin’ it, it’s to reduce unknowns. Unknowns are what make buyers and lenders walk away.
Start With Identifying The Exact Build Type
‘Concrete’ or ‘timber’ is often too vague. A PRC house selling situation can turn on the specific system name and whether it has been repaired under an accepted scheme. If you have old purchase documents, local authority paperwork, or a previous survey, dig them out. If not, a surveyor may be able to identify the system during inspection.
Expect A Different Survey Conversation
A buyer’s surveyor may recommend a specialist structural report, particularly with PRC and steel frames. That can add weeks. It also changes the negotiation because the buyer will push to reflect any uncertainty in price.
Be Ready For Practical Questions
Common buyer queries include:
- Has there been any structural repair? If so, who did it, and is there a certificate or guarantee?
- What’s the roof covering and age? Flat roofs and older coverings invite scrutiny.
- Any history of movement, cracking, or water ingress?
- Any recurring damp issues, and what’s been done about ventilation and insulation?
If damp is part of the picture, don’t guess. Buyers and surveyors will test, and vague answers damage trust. It’s worth reading Selling house with damp (yes, even if you think it’s ‘just condensation’) so you’re clear on what needs investigating and how to talk about it.
Practical Options If You Need To Sell
There isn’t one right route. It depends on time, cash for works, and how mortgage-friendly the property is right now. The aim is to avoid wasted months with buyers who can’t get funding.
1) Make The Property Easier To Lend On
If there’s a recognised repair scheme for your system (common in PRC), getting the correct certification and paperwork in place can materially change the pool of buyers. If the home has been repaired already, make sure you can evidence it. If it hasn’t, a surveyor can advise what a lender is likely to ask for, before you list.
For timber frame selling, moisture management matters. Make sure gutters, downpipes and external ground levels aren’t channelling water towards the structure. Minor external work can remove obvious concerns that would otherwise appear in a report.
2) Price With The Buyer Pool In Mind
Where the buyer pool is smaller, pricing needs to reflect that reality. Overpricing a non-standard home doesn’t just slow the sale, it can lead to repeated fall-throughs after surveys and mortgage checks. A realistic price can attract buyers who understand the build type and have a plan for lending.
3) Reduce Other Known Sale Blockers
If the construction already raises eyebrows, don’t pile on avoidable issues. Deal with what you can document and control. For instance, if the garden has invasive plants, it can become another lender question. If that’s relevant, see selling house with Japanese knotweed so you understand surveys and management plans and you don’t end up in a last-minute scramble.
4) Pick A Sales Route That Matches The Reality
Some properties are fine but just slower. Others are genuinely hard to mortgage and will mainly suit cash buyers or buyers using specialist lending. Auction can work for some sellers because timescales are fixed, but you need to be honest about legal pack content and any survey information, as you can’t rely on ‘we’ll sort it later’ once bids are down.
Whatever route you take, the same rule applies: when selling non standard construction house types, fewer surprises equals fewer fall-throughs.
Conclusion
Non-standard construction doesn’t mean you can’t sell, it means the sale needs more prep and better paperwork. Get clear on the exact build type, anticipate lender concerns and remove extra uncertainty where you can. If you treat it like a standard sale, you’ll often lose time to predictable problems.
Key Takeaways
- Non-standard construction reduces the pool of mortgage buyers, which is why sales can drag or fall through.
- Identify the exact system and gather evidence, because lenders and surveyors won’t accept vague descriptions.
- Choose a sales route and price that matches the likely buyer pool, not the ‘ideal’ buyer.
FAQs
What Is A Non-Standard Construction House In The UK?
It’s a property built using methods outside typical brick or stone walls with a pitched tile or slate roof. Common examples include PRC concrete systems, steel frame systems and some timber frame builds.
Can You Get A Mortgage On A Concrete Or PRC House?
Sometimes, yes, but it depends on the exact system, condition and what paperwork exists around repairs or certification. Many delays happen because the buyer only discovers restrictions after the lender’s valuation.
Do I Need A Specialist Survey To Sell A Non-Standard Home?
You don’t always need one upfront, but many buyers’ surveyors will recommend additional inspections, especially for PRC and steel frame properties. Getting clarity early can stop the sale drifting while everyone waits for another report.
Will Non-Standard Construction Always Reduce The Sale Price?
Not always, but it can affect demand, and demand affects price. A well-documented home in good order can sell strongly, while uncertainty around construction and repairs tends to push offers down.
Information Only Disclaimer
This article is for information only and isn’t legal, surveying, financial or mortgage advice. Construction type and mortgage decisions vary by lender and by property, so take professional advice for your specific situation.
