Package Suppliers: What are the benefits?

ABOVE: German package supplier Baufritz built their first home in the UK for self-builders Andy and Alison Nicholls. They visited Baufritz’s German HQ and agreed a design and material specification with the kit, along with a group of German workers, ready to go within months. The project took eight weeks on site and is ultra low-energy. Read more about this project.

Self-builders have many worries. Amongst them, the leading ones tend to be based around bringing in the project on time and on budget; not getting ripped off by designers/builders/suppliers; being able to come up with a design that is both achievable and attractive; and, perhaps most of all, not getting overwhelmed in this new and very alien building world.

Back in the 1970s, when self-builders were just beginning to be seen as part of a wider community, several companies began to form to help self-builders sleep a little better at night. And so, as the self-build movement matured through to its present incarnation, the number of package suppliers swelled and, with it, the services they supplied became more sophisticated. But is it really the ‘easy way to self-build’ that the companies claim?

Package suppliers are occasionally called ‘design and build’ companies and this description most accurately reflects what they deliver — in short, they will arrange and manage the design of your new home and its construction on your behalf (either by using their own team of builders or, more usually, liaising with your chosen builder).

The truth of the matter is that just as there are many ways to build a house, there are many different methods of operation for package companies. In most instances, you will be able (particularly in the current climate) to specify your own rules of engagement with the package company in question — meaning that it can have as much or as little involvement in your project as you wish. The bare minimum is supplying a frame to one of its designs; if you want less involvement than that, then you’re not really interested in a package at all.

Most self-builders using package companies will expect the following: design and planning; manufacture/supply of kit; erection of kit; external cladding/roofing and supply of external joinery (basically getting the project to weathertight stage). Most package suppliers will offer services far beyond this, to internal fit-out including bathrooms and kitchens, if required.

Traditionally the package market was associated with off-the-shelf designs and some suppliers, such as Potton, came to be associated very closely with the styles of house they offered (even now, many nonself- builders can spot a ‘Potton’ through its distinctive and highly appealing Heritage range). However – this being self-build, with its emphasis on individuality – the overwhelming majority of package companies offer at the very least modifications to their standard ranges and usually a completely bespoke design service, using in-house designers.

It’s worth noting that the emerging emphasis on design is, along with construction techniques, the key change in package companies in the past decade. All of the companies – Potton, Design & Materials and Oakwrights being three notable examples – are trying to wrestle themselves away from their ‘period homes’ associations and pushing their contemporary and, more importantly, bespoke design services.

One of the main selling points that package suppliers use in their favour is their free upfront design service. It’s a major draw for self-builders suspicious of paying large amounts of cash upfront to architects who may not deliver what they want anyway; it’s also a way of avoiding large cash payments in advance of the project. Well — it’s true to an extent. Design is nominally free with package companies, but it is built into the overall package price (in that you’ll pay a bit more for materials than you otherwise might have done) and it’s also true most package companies will charge fees early on in the process — say, 1% of the package cost for initial designs, another 1% to get to planning stage, and so on. It is eminently fair – it’s a protection against clients taking up a lot of company time getting designs they might use elsewhere – but it’s worth taking into account when you hear that old ‘free design service’ draw.

However, there’s no getting away from the fact that package companies have really got their act together when it comes to design. In many cases the quality of in-house designers is second to none (and that includes architects) and, despite their attempts to avoid being pigeonholed, the number one reason people choose certain package suppliers (particularly in the oak market) is because they fall in love with the style of house that the company is associated with. It’s a real conundrum for many package suppliers – how do we expand our audience yet not lose our number one attraction? – and it’s something that selfbuilders need to be aware of.

What are the benefits?

Fixed prices: Worried about your build going over budget? Most package companies will supply a fixed price based on your chosen specification, which is very assuring, particularly for first-timers. In no other project management approach will you be able to get this level of collaboration between design and build cost. Obviously, if it supplies a frame erection service, it will be able to fix these prices too — but what it can’t guarantee are prices for builders and subcontractors you engage with directly. You’ll get a fixed price on all the materials it supplies, the design service, and any onstaff labour it provides. Bear in mind, however, that with time and research, you’ll be able to get a very good idea of these prices yourself.

Hand-holding service: Most importantly, package companies work as a trusted cornerman during the project — always there for advice and assurance. For firsttimers, this is particularly important, and as someone who can talk with confidence and experience to builders and materials suppliers, this can prove invaluable.

Good designs: There’s no doubt that the appeal of many of the leading package suppliers lies in the designs on offer – and they have transformed in quality over the past few years – mostly in recognition of the growing interest in contemporary design. Self-build package suppliers employ some of the UK’s leading house designers, and building with them is a very good way to take advantage of this resource. It’s also worth noting that, compared to many architects, designers at package companies have much more experience in building one-off homes.

Assured construction quality: Building using the kits and materials supplied by the package companies, in addition to utilising their huge resource of experience in house construction, is undoubtedly a great way to ensure the house you’re building meets and exceeds the standards.

One-stop solution: Having one company design, provide the materials for and liaise with the labour on your self-build project makes life a lot easier — not least because there is only usually one point of contact for the self-builder. That means no passing the buck, no waiting around and, crucially, a good chance of minimising delays on site. This means that, as Design & Materials suggests, “You’re dealing with the same team of people from designing the property through to the build. So you are a client from beginn ing to end — you’re never left on your own.”

Package Suppliers: What are they?

Package companies – also called ‘turnkey’ providers – specialise in offering a onestop design and build solution to selfbuilders, with the house design, material supply and labour element all part of the package. They can usually be used for either the whole house build or elements thereof — often working to weathertight stage only. In recent years many European package suppliers have been offering services to UK self-builders.

What can they do for you

Potton: “We have different routes available to self-builders depending on what they want. The first, cheapest and most common is where we provide a design and frame supply/erection service, leaving the self-builder to project manage the rest of the build; secondly, we put them in touch with a local project manager to help them fill in the gaps; lastly, we offer a full ‘turnkey’ package.”

Oakwrights: “In addition to the frame design, fabrication and erection, where there is additional constructional carpentry work to be done this may form part of our contract package and could include such elements as the roof, external joinery, or perhaps softwood studding if required. In most cases this will take you to a dryshell stage where you or your builder can then begin fitting out in the dry.”

Design & Materials: “Most clients join us at the design stage and stay with us through to the finished build. Some clients come to us with full planning permission and want us to help them get the dwelling built for a realistic all-in price with no hidden extras.”

Hanse Haus: “We find that people like the extra level of security that working with a package company gives. People make contact with us and we have a UK-based designer who works with the client to produce satisfactory plans. The selfbuilder then visits Germany to specify the house, and we agree a fixed price.”

Dan-Wood: “Once a contract is signed the fixed price, in sterling, is guaranteed for nine months. This includes fixtures and fittings, plumbing, wiring and decoration — and the construction, which takes as little as six to eight weeks. We require a 10% deposit to secure a contract — no other payments are required until the house is wind and watertight.”

Further reading:

• Package Suppliers: Choosing a Company
• We Self-built Our Dream Home in Oak
• We Built a Brand New Barn-style Home

Share your opinion on Package Suppliers in the Homebuilding Discussion Forum