CMD First Source

What is a Kit Home and How Does it Work?

If you own some land in Australia and you’ve been searching for cheaper housing options, a Kit Home could be the perfect solution for you.

What is a Kit Home?
A Kit Home is essentially a home that comes in a kit. The materials used to build the home are pre-packaged and delivered to your site. Your house is then constructed on the site, using the kit home materials. It’s similar to buying pre-packaged furniture which you take home in a box and then
assemble – except it’s much bigger!

The Benefits of Building a Kit Home• Flexibility – Rather than simply inspecting houses and buying something that’s already there, a kit home gives you the flexibility to choose from a range of designs and structures.

• Cost effective – Kit homes have become very popular because they are so cost effective, since they don’t involve lots of architects, builders and so on. Because Kit Homes also come with pre-packaged materials, these materials (like timber and steel) are often much cheaper than buying them outright.

• Convenient – Another benefit of owning a Kit Home is that it is fast and easy. There’s no need to liaise for months with an architect or spend up to a year on getting building approvals.  A Kit Home can be constructed in as little time as 8 weeks or less.

What types of Kit Homes are there?

Kit Homes come in all shapes and sizes and you can tailor them to suit your needs. You can choose a granny flat or a studio, a 1-bedroom or a 5-bedroom home, even a two-storey home!

You can also choose from options like en suites, verandas, patios, walk-in wardrobes, pantries – and much more. Kit Homes also come in many designs, from contemporary and traditional-looking homes to chalet-style, beach-style and country-style designs.

You can also choose from a range of building materials, such as timber, steel, brick, weatherboard and concrete.

What’s included in my Kit Home?

The inclusions in each Kit Home pack will vary depending on your needs and on which Kit Home provider you choose to go with. Some Kit Homes will include things like your fixtures, locks, doors, cupboards, however, some won’t. You’ll need to check with your Kit Home company to see what they provide. Some companies will also charge extra for different kits, such as a flooring kit, fixtures kit etc.

Bear in mind that a Kit Home is also only the frame of your house – it doesn’t include things like plumbing or electrical wiring, so you will need to organise these yourself.

How is my Kit Home constructed?

If you have the DIY know-how, your Kit Home can be constructed by you, as an owner-builder. All Kit Homes come with building instructions and a checklist for you to follow. This is a great way to save money.

If you’re not confident however or if you lack building experience, you can also employ a manager to oversee the construction of the home from start to finish, including the building of the Kit Home and the subsequent installations of plumbing and electricity. Alternatively, you can simply hire a builder yourself and manage the rest of the installations on your own.

How will my Kit Home look when finished?

A Kit Home is entirely indistinguishable from a traditionally built home and looks amazingly new when completed. Some Kit Home companies will also have a display centre, where you can view the completed homes before you buy. This will give you an idea of the finished look and is also a good option for working out what you want!