Is Selling a Non-standard Construction House Difficult?

If you’ve got a house built a bit differently to most, you might be wondering how hard it is to sell. Whether it’s concrete, timber frame or something a little more out of the ordinary, non-standard construction homes come with their own quirks. And those quirks can sometimes slow down a sale.

In this guide, we’ll cover what counts as a non-standard construction house, why they can be harder to sell and what your options are if you’re trying to shift one.

What counts as non-standard construction?

In simple terms, a non-standard construction house is any property that isn’t built using traditional brick or stone walls with a tiled or slate roof. That sounds straightforward, but in practice it covers a surprisingly wide range of homes across the UK.

Many of these properties were built during periods of housing shortage, particularly after the First and Second World Wars. Speed, cost and new building methods mattered more than longevity, and some of those shortcuts still affect owners today.

Non-standard construction doesn’t automatically mean something’s wrong though. Plenty of these homes are safe, well maintained and perfectly liveable. The challenge usually comes when it’s time to mortgage, insure or sell.

Common types of non-standard construction

There are dozens of recognised non-standard construction types in the UK, but they tend to fall into a few broad categories.

Concrete frames or panels

Some homes use concrete, either precast or poured on site. These include well-known designs such as Wimpey No-Fines, Airey houses and Cornish Units. Over time, some concrete systems can suffer from issues like steel reinforcement corrosion, which worries lenders.

Steel frames

Others rely on steel frames, often hidden behind brick cladding. While they may look traditional from the outside, lenders sometimes treat them differently because of corrosion risks and repair complexity.

Timber frames

You’ll also find properties built using timber frames, prefabricated systems or modular panels. Some modern timber-frame homes are widely accepted, while older systems can raise red flags depending on condition and documentation.

Traditional materials

In rural or historic areas, traditional materials like cob, wattle and daub or timber-lath construction can also be classed as non-standard. These buildings often need specialist knowledge to maintain and insure, which narrows the buyer pool.

How to tell if your house is non-standard

Some homeowners know straight away, while others only find out when a buyer’s mortgage application stalls.

Common clues include:

• Mortgage refusals or unusual conditions in the past
• Survey reports flagging construction concerns
• The property being built between the 1940s and 1970s on a large estate
• Local knowledge that similar houses struggle to sell

Your title deeds, local authority records or an existing structural survey can often confirm the construction type. If you’re unsure, a chartered surveyor can usually identify it quickly.

Why are non-standard homes harder to sell?

Non-standard doesn’t mean bad. Some of these homes are loved for their character or sturdiness. But when it comes to selling, they can raise red flags for mortgage lenders.

The main concerns are:

• Materials like concrete can deteriorate over time, especially older PRC builds.
• Some construction types are flagged as higher risk, especially post-Grenfell.
• Specialist repairs often cost more and need niche contractors.
• Not all insurers will cover non-standard homes.

All this can put off buyers, especially those relying on a mortgage.

Some non-standard homes are more mainstream than others. For example:

• Timber-framed homes are more common now and easier to finance.
• Post-war prefab homes (like some Airey, Unity or BISF homes) can be harder unless repaired.
• Concrete high-rises may face extra scrutiny due to cladding and fire risk.

Does non-standard always mean harder to sell?

Not always, but it often means fewer options.

Some non-standard homes sell just fine on the open market, especially if they’ve been repaired, upgraded or certified through approved schemes. Others attract cash buyers, developers or specialist investors who understand the risks.

The key difference is choice. With a standard construction house, most buyers can get a mortgage. With a non-standard construction house, the pool is smaller, the process is slower and pricing expectations need to be realistic.

That’s why understanding exactly what type of construction you’re dealing with is so important before you decide how to sell.

Will I struggle to get a buyer?

It depends. If your home is well-maintained, in a popular area and comes with full paperwork, it may still appeal to cash buyers or investors.

But for the average buyer, things can get tricky. Some mortgage lenders won’t touch certain construction types at all. Others will ask for a full structural survey before agreeing, and that slows things down.

You might find buyers keen at first but then pulling out after getting advice from their lender or surveyor. That kind of stop-start selling process can be exhausting.

What if my house is mortgageable?

Some non-standard homes are mortgageable. It often depends on the specific construction type, the condition of the property and any repairs that have been made.

For example, PRC homes that have been repaired with a recognised scheme might be accepted by mainstream lenders. You’ll usually need a PRC Certificate of Repair to prove it.

The problem is, most buyers won’t know this without being told. So even if your home can be mortgaged, it might still scare off interest until you explain it.

There are a few things you can do to reassure potential buyers:

• Get a structural survey done and make it available to viewers.
• Show any PRC repair certificates or supporting documents.
• Offer details of your current mortgage if you have one.
• Get an estate agent who understands non-standard construction.

Anything that gives buyers (and their lenders) confidence will help your chances.

How do I price a non-standard home?

Pricing can be tricky. Estate agents might struggle to find direct comparisons (“comps”) if there aren’t many similar houses nearby. And if they price too high, buyers could be put off from the start.

You’ll want to:

• Look at sold prices of similar construction types, not just listings
• Get a valuation from someone experienced with unusual homes
• Be honest about the condition and factor in repair costs

Sometimes it’s worth getting a second opinion, especially if the first agent seems unsure.

Can I sell through a regular estate agent?

Yes, but choose wisely. Some agents have little experience with non-standard construction, and they may not market it effectively.

You’ll want an agent who:

• Understands your construction type
• Can explain it to buyers and their solicitors
• Knows which lenders are open to it
• Otherwise, you risk sales falling through at the mortgage stage.

How to make your non-standard home more appealing

While you can’t change the way your home was built, you can make it more attractive to buyers:

• Keep it well-maintained, with recent repairs documented
• Spruce up kerb appeal and interior styling
• Offer transparency about the construction upfront
• Be flexible on viewings and timelines

Buyers feel more confident when they know what they’re getting. And a tidy, welcoming space helps soften any concerns.

Selling a non-standard construction house doesn’t have to be hard

Sure, it can be more complicated. But it’s far from impossible, and you can still get a decent price. But if time’s ticking and the market’s not playing ball, there is another way.

At Sell House Fast, we buy non-standard construction houses across the UK. Unlike some other cash house buyers, we don’t ask for viewings, we don’t charge fees and we don’t rely on mortgage lenders.

Here’s what you get with us:

• A free, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours
• Completion often in a matter of days (or a timeline that works for you)
• No estate agents, no hidden charges
• A personalised service with real people who listen
• Full transparency at every stage
• Experience with all kinds of non-standard homes
• Strict compliance with The Property Ombudsman

You don’t have to wait months for the right buyer. Get your free cash offer today and see what your home could be worth.