Is my house classed as being non-standard construction?

By Steve Moores Client Director

A historic half-timbered house with a steep, tiled roof and leaded windows on a sunny day.

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Standard construction is normally defined as a house built of brick or stone with a tiled roof.

So any property that doesn’t fit this would be described as “non-standard”. However, homes that have a timber framed structure, including those where the frame is not visible, are also deemed non-standard by insurers.

This includes new build houses which have a structural timber frame behind the brickwork. These houses may represent a greater fire risk and the rebuild cost of a water or fire damaged property constructed with a timber frame can be more complicated than that of a property constructed from brick and/or stone. As a result, a non-standard, new, timber framed property will probably cost more to insure.

Older, timber framed houses, often with brick or plaster infill, are usually noted as non-standard.

Older properties in general, are often built from non-standard materials. Lead roofs, thatched roofs, plaster infill, pargeting, old water mills, metal barns, even steel framed extensions are all quite common.

Homes built of concrete, Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) or pre-fabricated off site are also deemed non-standard. These are often quick to build as there is less labour time on site, but much harder to repair. Hence, they can be more expensive to insure.

Building with flat roofs, whether asphalt, rubber bond or other type are often categorised as non-standard depending on what percentage of the roof area is flat. If your home is non-standard, and you have not told your insurer this, the insurer may reduce the amount it is prepared to pay out in the event of a claim or even decline to pay a claim completely.

If you are struggling to find a quote for your non-standard home, or if you’re unsure of the construction type of your home, call us and speak to an expert who will look after you and produce a quote to suit your property.

There’s nothing standard about your home and there’s nothing standard about our service. Just call 01622 476433 to find out more.

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Abode is a trading name of Howden UK Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 307663. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 02831010. Registered Office: One Creechurch Place, London, EC3A 5AF. Calls may be monitored and recorded for quality assurance purposes.