Thomas Mitchell Homes - Frequently Asked Questions

Thomas Mitchell Homes - Timber Frame Kits & Housing Developments

Frequently Asked Questions

For 35 years, Thomas Mitchell Homes have been manufacturing the highest quality Timber Frame Kits from their Fife base. That’s longer than most in Scotland, the acknowledged home of Timber Frame in the UK

What is the attraction of self building?

Self builders want an individual home, designed to their own tastes and requirements. Others build their own home because they see it as a way of getting a more interesting design and a better quality of finish and specification than is otherwise available. There is also the attraction of making significant cost savings depending on how you tackle the project.

How long does a self build project normally take after delivery of the kit ?

You should be ready to move in 12 - 18 weeks after delivery of the timber frame depending upon the weather, size of property and clients' expertise.

What type of designs do you offer?

Within our range of standard designs there are houses to suit the individual or the property developer. But whether you are looking for an individual mansion house or a two bedroom property, single storey dwelling or multi-storey flatted apartments, we will bring the same high levels of service and commitment to your project

Can your standard designs be modified?

Yes. All of our designs can be modified to suit your requirements, both internally and externally or indeed we can design from your own sketches

I have my own plans drawn up. Can you provide me with a kit to my own design?

Yes we can. Simply post your drawings to us with your details and we will forward a competitive quotation to you normally within 2-3 weeks

Can you help with supplying a kit for a planning sensitive area?

Our state of the art design department regularly works in conjunction with outside Architects and Design Agencies producing design and planning sensitive solutions for today�s housing market to the best environmental standards.

Will you supply your packages outside of the UK?

Yes. We are currently exporting to Cyprus and the Falkland Islands

What are the first steps to building your own home?

Best advice is to invest time and energy into finding out everything that is involved, working out your budget, and thinking through exactly what you want. The more you plan, the better prepared you are.

How do I find land?

The first thing to do is to sign up to a Land Sourcing service such as PlotSearch, operated by Buildstore. This service continually updates its national database of building opportunities and you can gain online access to the available plots for a small one off fee. This allows you to research the market from the comfort of your own PC. Look at the "Plots for Sale" section in the Self Build Centre on this web site for more information.

What About Financing?

Buildstore is a company dedicated to helping individuals build their own homes providing assistance all the way through, from finding your plot to finishing your project. The Accelerator Mortgage has been specially designed for the self builder providing up to 95% borrowing on the land and then up to 95% borrowing on the actual build as it progresses. The funds are paid at the beginning of each stage to ease cash flow worries and the mortgage is so flexible you can stay in your own home as the new house is built. For information go to the finance pages in our Self Build Centre on this web site.

What other services do you provide?

As well as supplying your timber frame house kit we can offer of TMH shell erection service taking your kit to �wind and watertight stage� and in some cases can arrange a full build service through one of our accredited builders

What about VAT?

This depends on whether you are contracting a builder to build the house completely for you, or if you are organising individual trades for a self build. New housing is still zero rated for VAT. A builder doing the complete job would not charge VAT.

If you are doing a self build you will be charged VAT on the materials you purchase but this can be reclaimed within 3 months of completion. If the tradesman supplies and fits the material this should be zero-rated. If we erect your kit we do not charge you VAT.

Scottish Home Awards 2008 Winners

What Our Clients Say
"You can't improve on Perfection!" - Mrs S. Harris, Basingstoke

Upcoming Event
Timber Frame Roadshow, Best Western - Hillcroft Hotel - Whitburn - 29th May 08