Savrhome
About Savrhome
Savrhome is a contemporary low-cost housing concept to help address the needs of those wishing to own their own home, rather than be enticed into the rental sector. The Savrhome design also matches current individual requirements for both lower monthly rent and affordable housing. Rather than incur a surge in up-front housing costs to either build or pay for residential homes, councils can cluster build, reaping both superior care and housing costs at a minimum.
The current lack of subsidy for owner-occupied houses nationally has led to a dramatic increase in value and the incentive for houses for rent. As a result of this, what housing support costs will be incurred by future generations. It is already recognised that investment income from those in rent needs to be double that of owner occupiers.
Savrhome is offering first time buyers the opportunity to replace rent with a mortgage, so building up their capital for future reinvestment.
Savrhome is designed to assist those who either need a small, safe set up or availability in the rural hinterland through a process known as a “rural exemption.” Talking with potential self-builders at times, the issue of mainstream plot price and therefore lack of funds to then build their home, blocked them from the housing process. With the low purchase cost throughout the Savrhome project (land is offered subject to rural exemption prices), the yearly increase in value (capped with a 106 agreement, at a low percentage), so mitigating opportunistic purchase.
Why Rural Exemption Sites?
Savrhome works by combining the low-cost build with Rural Exemption Sites to offer entry into home ownership. A Rural Exemption Site is one that permits the low-cost build, as part of a village of less than 3,000 people. The current status of the land can be anything in nature or location. But in the majority of cases, the use tends to be agricultural. If a site satisfies the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework, which includes the concept of “Entry Level Exception,” a planning application can be submitted without the need of moving the ground through the longer local plan. Entry Level Exception housing is suitable for first time buyers or those looking to own their first home.
Why Savrhome?
The Savrhome concept is designed around the customer, allowing them to acquire what is often not possible within current housing and planning models. As with freedom of materials to design, at the ground floor can include a low-level WC, a kitchen, lounge area, a large downstairs bedroom and bathroom. The size of the cost compared to the traditional housing, enables more people to own a home who may not be entitled to, or cannot afford traditional models. Savrhome helps those who wish to downsize with ample storage in the roof, over coming a hurdle to making that important move.
The advantage of the structural design means that the build is a lot more efficient than a traditional construction. Having builders to install the coatings, which could wait, mortgages, we know this is a more cost-effective way of building. It uses a combination of fast track housing building methods and techniques which increase quality and speed.
The final home can be produced affordably. It will open the door to home ownership to many more people. The Savrhome is built using SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) wall used for trusses. Part both effective, the combination of traditional and modern methods of construction has many more advantages.
Firstly, financial – by not having overwhelming bills to offset, loan repayments or finance impact if borrowed. Secondly, labour – with the structural panel supplied with its wall covering and insulative core, it needs a much-reduced labour cost. In traditional builds, labour costs are significant and subject to variation.
Thirdly – time – it is fast to construct walls, experience and scarcer labour requirements with quicker productivity.
Fourthly, materials – the use of external timber or fibreboard or fire Thermowood T&G cladding externally, or gypsum board internally, is less costly than traditional options.
Lastly, time – it is so much quicker to build, one has a shorter build timeframe.
System Build Make Up
The core of a Savrhome is based around a precision laid grid system with new modular engineering and a bottom cassette, four pillars and a top cassette. The bottom cassette has a welded steel frame with metal cladding as a completed unit. It houses a piped water supply. The floor (if the site allows it) can be placed on piles. Galvanised steel frame with a suspended floor. The top cassette consists of a lightweight steel or 50mm galvanised mineral wool filled panels. Galvanised steel frame with supports link from the ground to the bottom cassette to add additional strength. The window and door openings are made from galvanised T&G profile steel to ensure a consistent finished opening. The unit frame is interchanging in all sizes for reconfiguration and relocation.
The internal fit out is using structural T&G insulation placed in each panel with mineral wool insulation, gypsum board for the walls and ceilings. Rooms come in the 20 fine rib floorplan with a 3.0m x 6.0m area with three 5.1 core concept size. There is no connection between the external cladding and the stud, no foundation strips, or foundations. The above floor has the services in the timber zone and all wiring through the timber frame. A typical 6 person full functional home would be fully complete for use and offered for sale on site to own. Internally it involves the external cladding system to provide the stress lines to prevent out square warps.
What is possible is to create this scheme, with supports such as a housing association and or land led affordable rent scheme. The use of modules means that the house grows, though in a different way. It de-risks and de-skills the build, allows more people to own their home and helps councils build social care.
