What is non-standard construction?
Non-standard construction is any home not built the conventional way — with brick or block cavity walls and a tiled or slated pitched roof. If a property's walls, frame or roof use a different method or material, it falls under the non-standard label.
That label describes construction, not condition. A non-standard home is not automatically defective or a bad buy — plenty are sound and have been lived in happily for generations. It simply means the house behaves differently from a typical brick-and-block property, and that difference is worth understanding properly before you buy.
Common types of non-standard construction
Non-standard construction is a broad category. The types you are most likely to encounter include:
- Concrete / PRC (pre-reinforced concrete) — homes built from precast or in-situ concrete panels and frames, often from post-war housing programmes. PRC in particular is well known and can affect lending and insurance.
- Steel frame — a load-bearing steel skeleton rather than load-bearing walls, sometimes clad in brick so it looks conventional from the outside.
- Timber frame — a structural timber skeleton carrying the loads, again often behind a brick or render outer skin. Common in both older and very modern homes.
- Prefab / system-built — factory-made panels or units assembled on site, associated with certain mid-20th-century estates.
- Single-skin brick — a solid wall only one brick thick, with no cavity, more prone to damp penetration than a modern cavity wall.
- Cob — traditional walls of compacted earth, straw and lime, found in older rural homes.
- Thatch — a thatched roof rather than tile or slate, which brings its own maintenance, insurance and fire considerations.
How to tell if a house is non-standard construction
Some clues are visible from the street. Concrete panel walls, unusually thick or thin walls, a flat or very shallow roof, exposed timber or steel framing, or an obviously prefabricated shape can all point to non-standard construction. Documents help too — the property deeds or a mortgage valuation report may already flag the construction type.
Visual cues only take you so far, though, because features are often hidden behind render, cladding or a brick outer skin. The reliable way to know is a survey. A Level 3 Building Survey identifies the construction type, confirms it and, just as importantly, interprets what it means for that particular property rather than leaving you with a label and no context.
Why it matters: mortgages, insurance and resale
Construction type has practical consequences. On mortgages, some lenders restrict or decline lending on certain non-standard types, while others will lend with conditions — availability depends on the specific type, its condition and any past repairs, so it is worth speaking to your lender or broker early. On insurance, cover for some non-standard homes can cost more or need a specialist policy. And on resale, if fewer buyers can secure a mortgage on the property, the pool of future buyers can be narrower.
None of this makes a non-standard home a poor choice. It simply means going in informed — knowing the construction type and its condition — puts you in a far stronger position on price, negotiation and planning. For a sense of what a thorough inspection costs, see our guide on how much a survey costs.
Why a Level 3 Building Survey matters here
A non-standard property is exactly the case a Level 3 Building Survey is built for. The Level 3 is the detailed survey designed for older, altered, extended or non-standard homes — the situations where a lighter inspection leaves too much unsaid. It assesses the specific construction type, its current condition and the defects that type is prone to, from concrete degradation to single-skin damp or timber-frame concerns.
If your survey turns up a particular issue that needs closer attention, a focused property defects report can investigate it in depth. Anslow is an independent, RPSA-certified residential practice, and our Level 3 Building Survey starts from £495, with a fixed price confirmed for your specific property before you book. If you are looking at a home you suspect is non-standard, that detailed level is almost always the right one to choose.
Key takeaways
- Non-standard construction is anything not built with traditional brick or block cavity walls and a tiled or slated pitched roof.
- Common types include concrete/PRC, steel and timber frame, prefab or system-built homes, single-skin brick, cob and thatch.
- Visual cues can hint at it, but a Level 3 survey confirms the construction type and interprets what it means.
- Some lenders restrict lending on certain non-standard types, insurance can cost more, and the resale pool can be narrower.
- A Level 3 Building Survey is built for older, altered or non-standard property — Anslow's starts from £495.
Frequently asked questions
What is non-standard construction?
Non-standard construction is any home not built using the traditional method of brick or block cavity walls with a tiled or slated pitched roof. It covers a wide range of alternatives — concrete (including pre-reinforced concrete, or PRC), steel frame, timber frame, prefab or system-built homes, single-skin brick, cob and thatch. The construction is simply different, not automatically defective, but it does warrant closer inspection.
How do I know if a house is non-standard construction?
Visual cues can hint at it — concrete panel walls, unusual wall thickness, a flat or shallow roof, a timber or steel frame, or an obviously prefabricated shape. The property deeds or a mortgage valuation may also flag it. The reliable way to know is a survey: a Level 3 Building Survey identifies the construction type, confirms it and explains what it means for the specific property.
Can you get a mortgage on a non-standard construction property?
Often yes, but it can be more involved. Some lenders restrict or decline lending on certain non-standard types — particular pre-reinforced concrete homes are a well-known example — while others lend with conditions. Mortgage availability depends on the specific construction type, its condition and any past repairs, so it is worth checking with your lender or broker early. We can identify the construction type; your lender confirms what they will lend on.
Do I need a survey on a non-standard construction house?
It is strongly advisable. Non-standard construction is exactly the older, altered or unusual property case a detailed Level 3 Building Survey is designed for. The survey assesses the specific construction type, its current condition and the defects that type is prone to, so you understand what you are buying before you commit.
Is non-standard construction a problem?
Not necessarily. Many non-standard homes are perfectly sound and have been lived in for decades. The point is that they behave differently from conventional brick-and-block houses and can affect mortgages, insurance and resale, so they deserve a thorough, informed inspection rather than assumptions.
This guide is general information, not advice on a specific property. Every building differs — for findings specific to a property you are buying, book a survey.