JUST two days to build the shell – and it’s said to be the eco-friendly house of the future.
The house, on Main Road, Onchan, was put up built by a German prefabricated low-energy house builder Hanse Haus.
It was constructed in its factory in Germany and transported to the site on four articulated lorries.
The property belongs to Linda and David Gibson, both aged 61, who have had the house built in the grounds of their current property, where they have lived for 20 years.
The 160 square metre house, which has a timber frame, consists of an open plan kitchen and dining room, and three bedrooms, two of which are en suite and have a dressing room. Everything about the house has been chosen by the family, from what colour walls to where they want plug sockets.
Mr Gibson, who said it has been a straightforward process, said: ‘We were looking for a modern sized house, with low energy, which would be eco-friendly. We had a look around to see what was available and came across Hanse Haus. They seemed to fit the bill in terms of what we wanted. We are looking forward to cheap electricity bills.’
Properties are constructed in the factory in Germany and then transported to sites. A team of just four construction workers put the house together.
Since the company’s arrival in the island it already has an order to build another property in Kirk Michael.
Giles Hirst, of Hanse Haus, said: ‘The future is building low-energy homes. The house is very tight so no energy is allowed to leak out.
‘Now that we have built the first one (in the island) more are coming.’
Prefabricated houses are becoming more popular in the UK. The company is putting up two to three houses a month.
Four builders started work on the house on Tuesday and took just two days to complete its installation. On average it takes between eight to 10 weeks for the interior to be completed.
The Gibson family said that the neighbours have been very supportive and understanding. One neighbour stated it was better watching the house be put up, than watching Coronation Street!
The home was blessed during a rickfest ceremony, which is a German tradition. This is due to the fact the house is made from a timber frame, which has come from the woods, and this is morally wrong. The blessing serves to rid any spirits from the house, celebrates the work they have done and also wishes the Gibson family a good life and wellbeing.
The blessing is something the company does at every single home that is built – and they build 450 a year.
The family said the house cost them no more than an average house would cost. The company charges £1,400 per square metre.