Buy Steel house or not?

[DiyPoozay]

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

I am considering buying a Semi-detached Trusteel Mk2 bungalow. It is the perfect location and ticks a lot of boxes for us. For a family home, and with a view for living in it for a long period of time. Only just realised it was a Trusteel MK2 when on a second viewing, checking out the loft (steel rafters) for a possible loft conversion idea as there is ample room up there.

Also the current owner has got a full structural survey just done, including invasive testing (removal of some brick cladding to check steel stanchions for corrosion, roof supports and steel inside cavity walls), I have read the report and all is fine according to the engineer, with the steel stanchions not experiencing anything other than small surface rust with no compromise of its structural integrity.

Does anyone have experience of these builds and more specifically with undertaking extensions to them? This property has ample roof to extend to the side, back and into the loft space. However I know thay you cannot internally insulate (moisture next to steels etc.) so where does that leave you with a loft conversion and insulating?

I understand it may be hard to sell on in future depending on the market. However I am looking for a long term family home, reselling is not on the agenda, as long as it is possible to extend in the areas mentioned...

Also most internal cavity walls and ceilings have Artex on them (build is

1954) so I assume probably asbestos. How does this affect knocking down/rearranging internal walls, and extending?

If these above issues have a workaround or cause no problem then fine, however, if it causes extensive issues (financial and so on) to do this, is it a case for arguing for a lower price? As we will definitely need to extend/rearrange internal walls etc, to make the place upto standard.

Also there are many of the same bungalows in this area, all buy and sell quite frequently as far as the records show, and a lot are nearly in line with prices of conventional builds nearby.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

[GB]

Clearly, even though this one is fine now, there is potential for problems in future. I would take this on, but only if there's a really good discount compared to conventional build. Otherwise, why risk it?

[Tricky Dicky]

Getting a mortgage if you need one may be your first problem, mortgage lenders do not like anything that is not a conventional construction.

Richard

[tabbypurr]

If you buy you should pay a significant amount below the cost of a brick house due to the risk of later major structural problems, ie rust that's a problem to get to. But 1954 - it's proved it can do the job for many more years.

Artex with asbestos should be removed with care, minimising any breakage, wearing suitable breathing masks & ideallly clothing you can dispose of. Wetting it can help minimise dust. Double bag it & take to the dump - but not all dumps accept it. If you let the pros do it you'll pay OTT for the men in show suits. Where you're only replastering, you can just plaster over the top.

You may need a specialist mortgage company, most mortgage cos are extremely conservative.

NT

[Brian Gaff]

I would hope that they also looked at the footings and the steel down there, as if its got tin worm its down there that its most likely to be an issue. Brian

[Brian Gaff]

Which is really silly when you think that increasingly the plot is probably worth a lot more if you build flats on it. Around here many bungalows are being flattened and four storey blocks of flats put up. Brian

[harry]

There can be mortgage issues. Buying and selling.

[FMurtz]

It seems that you will have trouble getting a mortgage on any residence going by this reference. :)