Construction

When it comes to constructing, the majority of New Build homes use traditional, tried and tested methods. For example cavity brick or block and timber frame.

For construction on high rise flats, it's usually done using concrete, steel frames and different forms of roof cladding. This is different to the more standard tile and slate.

We accept all these methods.

An increasing number of homes built in the UK are using innovative materials and methods such as:

• factory manufactured pods
• steel and timber frames
• roof and floor cassettes
• 3D printing
• changes to on-site processes (including the use of robotics).

These products and processes are referred to as Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

We accept many properties built using MMCs, subject to our criteria. Our valuers will assess these on a case by case basis. In order to protect our members we need to be sure that new methods of construction are durable, easy to maintain and remain saleable.

You can contact the New Build support team where a property is known to incorporate MMC. This is to see if the site has been assessed before. Make sure to provide as much information as possible, including:

• Name/type of system and details of the developer
• Warranty and whether it has Build offsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) accreditation
• Details of roof and cladding materials and confirmation of 30 year design life for those elements.

We recognise that office to residential conversions are important to the new housing market. We'll consider them to subject to certain criteria. These conversions include design (appearance, internal layout or planning etc), tenure and lifespan. Other decisions we take in account when dealing with office to residential are:

Location

• A suitable mix of residential use within the area.
• Sufficient residential infrastructure within the immediate area. For example, access to amenities, shops, schools or transport.
• Sustainable demand in a re-sale marketplace for homeownership.
• We don't accept any property forming part of a business, commercial, industrial or retail area.

Construction

• We require a suitable and acceptable warranty. See our acceptable building warranties for more information.

Lease terms

• See our minimum leasehold terms and ground rent on our New Build page.

Quality of conversion

• Structural integrity
• The external appearance of the structure. And whether it's been updated or modified to give the appearance of a residential building.
• You should comply with fire safety and regulations, especially around the use of certain external cladding or insulation materials on high rise buildings. See our fire safety assessment criteria.