Use Our Quiz on BISF Steel Framed Mortgages 

Our guide to BISF Home Insurance

 

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Mortgage lenders favour houses built according to standard construction criteria – a slate or tile roof, brick or stone walls, and a timber frame.

In the post-war situation of dire housing need, some homes were built using a faster and cheaper construction method using steel frames. Many were intended as temporary homes and, at the time, few were expected still to be in use today.

But such housing is certainly around today still – and goes by the generic name of British Iron and Steel Federation or BISF steel-framed homes. By definition, those properties are described as non-standard construction – the term used by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) is “non-traditional construction”.

A review of non-traditional housing published by the CML goes on to explain that mortgages for homes with unusual construction – such as BISF (steel-framed homes) – are more difficult to secure.

Some lenders are more relaxed about arranging mortgages for such property while others may reject applications relating to non-standard construction out of hand. As with many issues surrounding your mortgage application, a lot may depend on identifying a suitable lender for the home you want to buy. And that, in turn, may depend on your consulting a suitable, independent mortgage broker.

Post Contents

How much does bisf home insurance costs?

How much do I need for bisf insurance?

How can I make my home insurance cheaper?

How do I choose my home insurance?

What are home insurance add-ons? 

Why may it be difficult to get a BISF Steel House mortgage?

Can I get a British Iron and Steel Federation construction mortgage?

What deposit will I need for steel frame home mortgages?

Next Steps 

FAQs



Home Insurance

Home insurance is an umbrella term for various types of insurance that protect against damage to your home and its contents. These include bisf property insurance, liability insurance, and personal injury protection (PIP). In addition, home insurance includes contents insurance and buildings insurance, and both of these insurance policies could be bought together from a common insurance provider.

Bisf home insurance is a particular type of insurance that is created to protect an individual’s home and related belongings financially. This contents insurance policy cover’s security against vandalism, damaged buildings, theft etc… 

While contents insurance policy cover’s against damages, on the other hand, buildings insurance covers all types of fire, water and malicious damages.

Contents insurance can also be purchased separately as well. In this case, it will not have any effect if you already have building insurance. But in some cases, when you are buying a new house or apartment, you may need to buy both together. In order to get the best coverage at an affordable price, one should always compare different companies before finalizing their choice. This is because there are many factors like age of the house, location, number of rooms, size of the house etc…which affect the cost of insuring a house.

In most countries, there are two main providers of home insurance: private insurers and government-backed schemes similar to contents insurance. Private insurers usually offer more flexible terms than public schemes, but they tend to charge higher premiums. On the other hand, public schemes typically provide better value for money because they are cheaper to set up and run. However, they often require applicants to meet certain criteria, such as having no previous claims history.

 


How much does bisf home insurance product cost?

It covers the cost of damage to your home from things like fire, flood, storms, falling trees or vandalism. Also, it may cover you for subsidence, water damage and burst pipes. It can also cover high-value items separately, including jewellery, computer equipment and bicycles.


How much do I need for bisf insurance? 

The amount of cover required depends on the value of your home and its contents. The average UK homeowner needs around 10 per cent of their annual income saved towards an emergency fund. If you don’t already have enough money set aside, consider increasing your savings rate.

If you want to save money when buying new insurance, shop around. Shop around regularly to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.


How can I make my home insurance cheaper?

It covers the cost of damage to your home from things like fire, flood, storms, falling trees or vandalism. Also, it may cover you for subsidence, water damage and burst pipes. It can also cover high-value items separately, including jewellery, computer equipment and bicycles.


How do I choose my home insurance?

When choosing an insurer, you’ll want to consider several factors, including price, service level, claims history, and customer reviews. You can find all sorts of information online, but its always better to contact financial adviser.


What are home insurance add-ons?

It covers the cost of damage to your home from things like fire, flood, storms, falling trees or vandalism. Also, it may cover you for subsidence, water damage and burst pipes. It can also cover high-value items separately, including jewellery, computer equipment and bicycles. The question arises, How much do I need? The amount of cover required depends on the value of your home and its contents.

The average UK homeowner needs around 10 per cent of their total assets insured. If you own an expensive car, consider getting comprehensive motor insurance instead. 


Can my insurer raise my premiums after they take me off standard cover?

Yes, but only when there has been a significant change in circumstances since you last renewed your policy.


Why may it be difficult to get a BISF Steel House mortgage?

Difficulties in getting a BISF steel house mortgage may be traced to the history of defects found in homes constructed in this way. It is a history traced by the website BISF House.

The majority of those homes were built using steel-reinforced concrete panels. In post-war conditions, many raw materials were in short supply, with the result that the steel used to reinforce the concrete panels was poor quality. Furthermore, contamination within the concrete subsequently led to catastrophic damage to the steel reinforcing bars (or rebars) in the concrete panels.

Serious corrosion, coupled with disintegrating concrete weakened the entire structure of the home – to such an extent that many such buildings were categorised as defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984.

In addition to the corrosion of the steel and failure of the concrete panels, BISF homes also suffered from a poor or total lack of insulation and remain prone to cracking on the ground floor.

Many of the defects are repairable – insulation may be added, for example – but it all depends on the remaining integrity of the building’s structure.

Nevertheless, British Iron and Steel Federation or BISF (steel-framed) homes are common in the UK. You may still secure a mortgage for such a home – but it all depends on the lender.

Insurers also share mortgage lenders concerns about the reliability and structural integrity of BISF homes. Not all home insurers are prepared to offer cover and those that do may incorporate restrictive exclusions. Since building insurance is going to be a requirement of your mortgage lender, it is imperative also to find an insurer prepared to offer cover on your BISF home.


Can I get a British Iron and Steel Federation construction mortgage?

Mortgages for homes with unusual construction are more difficult to secure.  The lender’s security is in the property itself and non-standard or non-traditional construction makes the integrity and durability of that building far less certain.

A steel house mortgage, therefore, may be difficult to secure. 

As mentioned, repairs and improvements can sometimes be made – defective concrete panels and corroded steel, for example, might be reinforced with brick. While expensive remedies, these works might increase your chances of securing a mortgage with the appropriate lender.

Using our particular expertise and experience, we may help you to identify those specialist lenders who are willing to arrange the mortgage you need.


What deposit will I need for steel frame home mortgages?

When potential mortgage lenders are already wary about non-standard methods of construction of the home you want to buy and the available pool of willing lenders is restricted, you are likely to find that the conditions attached to any mortgage advance are that much tighter.

Most notable of those restrictions is likely to be the loan to value (LTV) ratio of any mortgage offered. The lower this ratio, of course, the bigger the deposit you need. For example, whereas you might secure an LTV as high as 95% on a new-build home of standard construction, the LTV on a steel-framed house might be considerably lower. You are likely to need a bigger deposit – and may also need to offer evidence of a higher income.


Next Steps- Bisf home insurance and mortgage

Getting a British Iron and Steel Federation construction mortgage is likely to prove more than usually difficult – and you might need all the help you can get. At Needing Advice, that help is here at hand. We are ready and waiting to answer your questions and offer whatever advice you may need about steel house mortgages.


 

FAQs- BISF Home Insurance & Mortgages

Can I get a mortgage on a BISF house?

Yes, if you have a good track record of paying off other loans, you can get a mortgage on a BISF house. 


How long does a BISF house last?

BISF houses tend to last longer than other types of houses because they are built from stronger materials. However, there are some factors that could shorten their lifespan. These include:


Can you insurance a prefab home?

You should always insure your property against fire, theft and damage caused by flood. If you live in a rented property, you should take out landlord’s insurance too.

Prefabricated buildings are often cheaper to build than traditional homes, so many people choose them over traditional bricks and mortar. But what happens when something goes wrong?

If you don’t insure your prefabricated home, you run the risk of not being able to make the necessary repairs. This means you’ll be left without a roof over your head or money to pay for it.

It’s important that you’re covered for any eventuality. That’s why it’s vital to insure your prefabrication project before you start building.

You can insure your prefabricate home through one of two companies – either with a direct insurer like LV or via a broker such as Home Insurance Direct.


Why do I need to insure my prefabricated home?

Insuring your prefabricated property protects you against unforeseen circumstances. It’s a way of ensuring that you won’t lose everything if something goes wrong.

Your prefabricated home isn’t just another brick and mortar structure. It has its own unique features and characteristics. And these things can affect how well it stands up to the elements.

For instance, a prefabricated home made of wood is going to be affected differently to one made of concrete. So, it’s essential that you know exactly what kind of prefabricated home you’ve bought.

And if anything were to happen to it, you want to be sure you’re protected.


Do Halifax lend on steel-framed houses?

Halifax doesn’t currently provide finance on prefabricated homes. However, we do offer a range of other products including buy-to-let mortgages, personal loans and car finance.

What are the advantages of buying a prefabricated house?

There are plenty of reasons why you’d want to buy a prefabricated property. Here are just a few of them:

• They’re cheap to build.

• They’re easier to move around.

• They’re easy to insulate.

• They’re environmentally friendly.

• You can customise them to suit your needs.


Are BISF houses safe?

BISF homes are designed to stand up to extreme weather conditions. They’re also strong enough to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes.

But even though they’re sturdy, they aren’t indestructible. There are still risks associated with owning a prefabricated building. For example, fires can cause serious damage.

So, it’s important that you check the terms of your policy carefully before signing up. A lot of policies will only cover you for certain kinds of losses.

This means that you may have to foot the bill for some of the damages yourself.

If you’re looking to purchase a prefabricated steel-framed home, talk to us at Home Insurance Direct today. We can help you find the best deal possible.


Is BISF construction bad?

No, BISF construction is actually very good. In fact, it’s considered to be the safest type of construction there is.

The reason for this is that it allows builders to use fewer materials and less time. This makes the process much quicker and more cost-effective.

However, there are still risks involved in using prefabricated steel-framed homes. These include fire and water damage.

If you’re interested in purchasing a prefabricated metal home, talk to us today at +44 7912 076990.


What is the problem with steel-framed homes?

Steel-framed homes are built from precast panels that are then assembled into place. They’re usually constructed by specialist contractors who specialise in prefabrication.

These types of buildings are generally cheaper than traditional stick-built homes. But they come with their own set of problems.

One of the main issues is that they can be difficult to insulate properly. This is because the walls are made of thin sheets of metal.

They’re also prone to rusting over time.


Can you extend a BISF house?

Yes, you can easily extend a BISF home. All you need to do is add an extra floor or two.

You’ll also need to make sure you get permission from your local council first. And you might have to pay for any alterations to your planning permission.


How long does it take to build a BISF house?

It depends on how big the house is. If you’re looking to build a small prefabricated home, expect to spend between three and four weeks.

Larger models could take as little as one week. However, if you’re looking to build something like a mansion, you’ll probably need longer.

You should also bear in mind that the price of a BISF house will vary depending on its size. The larger the model, the more expensive it will be.


Do I need to worry about earthquake buildings insurance cover?

Yes, it would help if you considered earthquake building insurance when buying a prefabrication home.


What is the difference between a modular home and a manufactured home?

A modular home is basically a prefabricated home that has been transported to another location. It’s often used as temporary housing during construction projects.

Manufactured homes are homes that have been completely built offsite. They’re normally used as permanent dwellings.


Which one is better?

That really depends on what you want out of your new home. Modular homes tend to be cheaper than manufactured ones.

However, they don’t provide the same level of insulation. Manufactured homes are typically more energy efficient.


So, which one is right for me?

If you’re looking for a cheap option, you might consider buying a modular home. Otherwise, you might prefer to buy a manufactured home instead.

Both options offer different benefits. So, it all comes down to personal preference.


Why do some people choose prefabricated houses?

Prefabricated homes are great for anyone who wants to save money. They’re also perfect for those who live in areas where there isn’t much land available.

This means that they’re ideal for city dwellers. Because they’re so compact, they can fit neatly onto smaller plots of land.

And they’re also very easy to transport. You just need to load them up on a flatbed truck.

The only downside is that they can be quite difficult to insulate. That’s because they’re not designed to withstand extreme temperatures.