This year’s Trussed Rafter Association AGM was held at the National Self-Build and Renovation Centre (NSBRC) in Swindon and while it’s clear that the self-build sector could be a lucrative route to market, it’s not without challenges for trussed rafter manufacturers.
"The self-build sector is growing and is said to build more homes than any other developer but it’s not been a really significant market for us so far," said Richard Evans, managing director of Scotts Timber Engineering and TRA chairman.
"It tends to be very labour intensive, with customers doing their own work, with particular demands and quirks and last minute changes. And it tends to be one-off houses so you don’t get repeat business."
"If you can engage with selfbuild customers early enough to discuss trussed rafters you can offer them a better solution but it is a difficult market to access," agreed Cate Gregory, marketing manager at Pasquill. "Having said that, we do participate in the selfbuild and renovation shows and they’ve been great for us."
The NSBRC is a permanent exhibition and conference facility featuring 240 exhibitors and thousands of different products. Many timber companies are represented there, including Steico, Coillte Panel Products, Frame Wise, Potton and English Brothers.
"The centre provides unbiased information and attracts around 23,000 visitors a year, 63% of which have a ‘live’ project," said Harvey Fremlin, head of business development.
He told delegates that UK housing was in deficit to the tune of around 150,000 homes per year, predicting that by 2025 there would be a 750,000 shortfall.
"Self-build can be part of the solution," said Mr Fremlin. Around 13,000 units a year are self-build, accounting for 10-11% of all new homes."
Of these 13,000 units, around 60% are now built using timber/oak frame, said Mr Fremlin, adding that 65% of them have four or more bedrooms and the average size is 218m² – around twice the average size of other newbuilds.
The south-east, south-west and Scotland had the highest proportion of self-builders, said Mr Fremlin, and there is a growing trend for "custom build/enabled development".
This phenomenon was touched on by architect Craig White of White Design and ModCell who wrapped up the TRA AGM with a presentation on why timber is poised for growth.
This included a look at ModCell’s straw bale ‘co-housing’ development in Leeds, LILAC (Low Impact Living Affordable Community).
"Self-build is the biggest housing developer and if these self-builders get together on a co-housing project they will be the trussed rafter sector’s target market," said Mr White.
