What is a Huf Haus?
A Huf Haus is a bespoke timber and glass house, with windows on all sides, maximising the outside environment. The post and beam design means there are no load-bearing walls, so the interior is truly open plan. The houses are modern, light and airy, and the layout of each is designed to the owner’s specifications. The components are made in Huf’s Germany factory, brought over to the UK and assembled in just a few days by Huf’s impressive workforce.
A Huf Haus is considered to be a design classic. They are built to a very high standard and are extremely energy efficient, incorporating sustainably sourced materials, high-end insulation techniques, toxin-free paints, and utilising solar energy and rainwater recycling.
What does it cost to build and how do I go about it?
The cost of a Huf Haus starts at around £220 per square foot. You first need your plot of land (some owners buy an existing house, knock it down and rebuild, others start with an empty plot). See our “Plots for sale” page for current availability. Your plot must be cleared and prepared before Huf arrive and put the house together. It is the owner’s responsibility to get groundworks dealt with (see our contractors page for recommended companies). If you want to remove a tree, tread carefully, as some local authorities can be somewhat militant when it comes to tree preservation orders! Consider local wildlife too, if there is hint of a bat in the vicinity, your progress will be slowed down considerably., but remember you will be paying in Euros, so if the rate fluctuates, the actual cost will change accordingly. If you compare this to a conventional build, which costs around £150 per square foot, it is not as expensive as you may first think as Huf’s costs include the architect, structural engineer, fit out etc. Huf will give you an exact cost in euros at the start of the project, which is fixed (unless you make additions after your visit to Hartenfels).
You will then visit the Huf show house in Surrey to talk through your requirements. Once planning has been granted, you will travel to Hartenfels in Germany for a three-day “fit out” meeting, where you tailor your house, choosing everything from the flooring to the location of electrical sockets to the design of the kitchen and bathrooms. There are show houses on display in Germany, to assist you in narrowing down the many options on offer.
You may find the following website useful for more information about Self Build:
www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk
Is it hard to get planning?
This varies immensely depending on your local authority. A recent survey of Huf Owners reported that, if they did the process again, most people would recommend using a Project Manager, who will liaise with planners on your behalf, and co-ordinate your build. We can put you in touch with a Project Manager, or an owner who has already built in your area, for some specialist advice. Our “plots for sale” page often lists plots which already have planning permission.
If you are considering building a Huf Haus, we highly recommend that you speak to your local Planning Department as a matter of priority, before proceeding any further. If your plot is in a conservation area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the planning process will be much more difficult.
Is it difficult to get insurance?
A Huf Haus is very unique and we recommend Marsh Private Clients who have a policy specifically tailored to Huf houses.
Are the windows a problem?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions. The answer is that the windows are not as much of an issue as you may think. The roof overhang keeps a lot of water away from the glass, and there is the additional protection from balcony glass and external blinds.
One owner has pointed out that “large panes of glass are far easier to clean than lots of small ones”. Another owner commented that “someone needs to be at home to raise the external blinds”, so you cannot easily have your windows cleaned if you are not in. The blinds themselves are more awkward to clean, and it is recommended that you get your blinds cleaned before your windows, otherwise the process of cleaning the blinds will make your windows dirty again!
Most owners have their windows cleaned 2-4 times a year. Costs range from £300 per annum to over £2000 depending on location and size of house.
There are specialist contractors who use purified water and extendable brushes, see our windows page for more information.
Can a Huf Haus be extended?
Yes, several owners have had additions to their houses. Most people would approach Huf for this work, but one owner has recommended a builder, Dean Brasenell, in Watford who created a stunning Huf-style summer house for their garden. Dean can be contacted on 01923 331532.
What is the resale situation?
As the company limits the number of Huf houses they build in the UK each year, Huf properties are few and far between. Our “for sale” page lists any properties that we are aware of, which are available for sale. Afra Bindewald of Huf says that “Huf houses resell at around 25 to 30% more than a conventional house”.
Source: Prime Location website.
Do Huf build outside of Europe?
Huf are a German company so there are plenty of Huf houses in Germany and other parts of Europe. Further afield, Huf have an agent in the USA, www.dotgreenusa.com, and are branching out into other parts of the world.
You may find the following website useful for more information about Self Build:
www.the-self-build-guide.co.uk.