FAQ

This is by far the most asked question ever.

How much does the house cost?
What is the total cost figure for Trio 100 or another model?

There really can’t be one answer for the total cost of a finished building.
In our Budgeting Guide we dig deep into this topic and we provide a reliable method and a tool to answer this question for your specific project.

In short, there several factors that play on the price and different factors to consider.

For example:

• we ship worldwide and shipping costs depend on location
• extent and cost of groundworks depend on the soil on your location
• the type of foundation you can use depends on the conditions of your ground
• the price depends on the level of customization
• the price depends on your preferences on interior decoration and the materials you choose
• ...there are many factors to review to build the total cost

Get in contact with our office either via email: mail@avrame.co.uk , phone 01237730870 or mobile 07772377102 and if you give us some details about your idea we can help you understand the cost involved in your particular project.

We ship Nationwide in the whole of the UK directly to your site. 

For the UK and most other parts of the globe, kits are shipped from our factory in Estonia. We can deliver to almost any location, including the most remote British islands.

We can ship practically anywhere in the UK and beyond—including remote locations such as all the Scottish Isles  (Inner Hebrides like Skye, Mull, Islay, Jura, and the Small Isles; Outer Hebrides/Western Isles like Lewis and Harris, North Uist, South Uist, and Barra; Northern Isles including Orkney and Shetland). 

Our shipment also covers all of the Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight, Anglesey, Rathlin Island and many other smaller offshore islands around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We also ship to the Isle of Man and elsewhere internationally.

Our shipments are compact, with pre-cut A-frame kits well-suited to the whole of the UK, as it is a straightforward delivery via sea freight or combined road/ferry options commonly used for remote spots like the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, or the Isles of Scilly. (Just as an example in the past, we have shipped houses to Alderney (The Channel Islands), South Korea and the Azores Islands).

Transportation costs are not included in our kit prices (these vary depending on distance, access, ferry requirements for islands and logistics—get in touch for a tailored quote).

Reach out directly to get more info - Contact us

We made a video about budgeting a while back to give you some pointers on budgeting for a prefab A-frame house. It shows you the tools you need to create your own budget for your build.

Today, we discontinued that budget template as we have built a more comprehensive and helpful resource: the Budgeting Guide

Yes, we can alter floor plans. The only load-bearing element in an A-frame house is the A-frame itself. It doesn't need additional support or any load-bearing interior walls, so we can play around with the floor plans quite a lot.

It is also possible to make changes to any of our model’s interior design.
If you want a balcony looking down into the living room, we can do that for you. We can add decks, door mirrors, balconies skylights, and other design elements as well.

Yes, we can change a lot.
Here are a few ideas of what you can customize.

The exact sum of shipping depends on the house size and distance to your site (this include distance, access, ferry requirements for islands and logistics)

Generally, shipping is up to 10% of the kit cost.

Shipping smaller kits might be more expensive as they do not fill one entire truck or a shipping container and we end up transporting air (expensive and useless exercise).

For more accurate shipping costs feel free to reach out to our team either via email: mail@avrame.co.uk , phone: 01237730870 or mobile 07772377102

Production time is 10...12 weeks (depending on the season).
Shipping to Mainland UK takes 2...6 days.
Shipping to any of the British Isles takes about 4...6 weeks.

A-Frame is a regular timber frame home, so all heating systems are possible. It really depends on the fuel source you have available.

On our YouTube channel, we have a video covering this topic

You can install any kind of ventilation system.

We prefer to use natural ventilation (skylights, window ventilation strips, etc.).
In some building regulation, mechanic ventilation is mandatory therefore it is recommended that you check which is the ventilation option you should go for (we cover this in the 100 Questions Guide)

We get a lot of comments asking for more walk-through videos on our finished houses. We understand that photos don't always help put the actual size into perspective, so we are definitely planning to roll out video walkthroughs of each model soon.

Right now we have walk-through videos for four models:

• Duo 100
• Trio 57
• Trio 75
• Trio 100
• Trio 90 + Duo 67

More videos are uploaded each month. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss them

Not directly but we have a technical team in-house and we work with various partners Nationwide.

Depending on your location we might have a preferred main contractor we can put you in touch with.

We could also assist you in finding a suitable installation company tailored to a particular project, if you require assistance.

A-frame is a very simple construction.
It is more like putting together an IKEA furniture than the traditional house building process.

You will get very detailed drawings with step by step instructions to help you on your every step of the build

The most economical (and practical) way to go is the concrete stripe foundation (up to 60% cheaper than the slab and has the same kind of durability and functionality).

You can also do the post foundation.

Please keep in mind that the type of foundation you can actually use depends on the condition of the ground on your location.

Foundations for A-frame Cabins

Yes, a solution with full basement is easily doable.

A-frames need just 3 support points. They can be supported by a metal beam in the middle and by the stone part on the sides.

     
You will almost certainly need planning permission to build an Avrame house in the UK.
Avrame houses are pre-cut A-frame kit homes (or similar classic designs) intended as full residential dwellings, cabins, lodges, or holiday homes.
These are typically new builds or permanent structures on land, not minor extensions, sheds, or outbuildings.In the UK (primarily England, with similar but separate rules in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland):

• Building a new house or significant residential structure generally requires full planning permission from your local planning authority (LPA). This applies whether it's a kit home, self-build, or traditional construction. There is no general "permitted development" right to erect a new standalone dwelling on your land without approval.
• Permitted development rights (which allow certain works without planning permission) mainly cover:
  • Extensions, alterations, or improvements to an existing house (rear extensions, loft conversions).
  • Small detached outbuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling (garden sheds, garages, summerhouses) — but these have strict limits:
  • Must be single-storey.
  • Height restrictions (max eaves 2.5m, overall height 4m for dual-pitched roof).
  • Cannot cover more than half the curtilage (land around the original house).
  • No sleeping accommodation for larger sizes without restrictions.
  • Not forward of the principal elevation.
  • Avrame models (Solo+, Duo, Trio series) range from small cabins to family-sized homes with lofts, multiple rooms, and bathrooms — far exceeding typical outbuilding limits and designed for living/sleeping use.

Even small "garden" or "guest" Avrame units would likely require permission, if intended for habitation (as an annex, Airbnb, or holiday let), as they involve residential use and often exceed size/height thresholds for outbuildings (G49 fits the hight requirement for permitted building but intended as a habitual building, still require a building warrant)
Obtaining a planning permission in the UK, as early in the process as possible is key to a successful project. We can, provide drawings specifically designed for planning applications.
As an example from recent UK cases (an Avrame A-frame approved on Alderney/Channel Islands, The Highlands (Scotland), Northumberland, West Sussex, Worcestershire, Cornwall, North Yorkshire, Wales) show planning applications were submitted and approved by local committees — not automatic.

A-frames can face challenges in some regions, so we have an alternative "Classic"  line.

Additional requirements:

• Even if planning permission is granted, you'll likely need building regulations approval for structural safety, energy efficiency, fire safety, etc.
• Restrictions apply in designated areas (National Parks, AONBs, conservation areas). For more information contact our office as we may have already started the process of obtaining planning permission in your area.

Recommendation: Always contact your local council's planning department (find via gov.uk/find-local-council) or seek pre-application advice. Rules can vary by location and specific site conditions. An architect or planning consultant familiar with self-build/kit homes can help assess your project. If you would like us to recommend a specialist service, get in touch on 01237730870, 07772377102  or via email on mail@avrame.co.uk 

We sell worldwide and each Country has different regulations for technical installations, therefore we focus on supplying the structural part of the house and all the special parts have to be sourced locally.

Here is a list of the parts you will have to source locally:

• heating system
• electric system
• ventilation system
• plumbing
• kitchen furniture
• bathroomware
• tiles and tiling
• interior finishes
• furniture
• ...

We have a video that covers this topic more in detail:
Kit Home Building: THIS you have to source locally

IMPORTANT: this list is not complete nor exhaustive. For more information on what you shall take into account, you should consult our Self-building Guides.

Wooden structures can last for centuries. We have a wooden church here in Estonia on one of our islands standing there for more than 370 years.

If the foundation is solid and raised (min. 30 cm) from ground and roof covering is tight, your home will outlast your grandchildren.

The wooden parts we sell have 2 years warranty.

Ruukki classic c has 50 years of technical warranty and 20 years of aesthetic warranty.

The Velux skylights have 10 years warranty.

The builder has to give its own final warranty for the final build and product (5-10 years usually).

We use only high-quality materials (see this video).

Maintenance is very low.

You have to service the gable walls. Depending on the conditions repainting the cladding once in every 5-10 years.
That is pretty much all you have to do from
the outside.

From inside it is like any other house - the maintenance depends on your choice of materials and usage.

If maintained properly then the house will last for many generations.

Compared to a traditional timber frame buildings a-frames are very well insulated.

The total energy performance of the house depends on the insulation material and heating system.

Avrame houses are designed to perform well in the Nordic climate and it can withstand very harsh winters.

Snow is not an issue: it will simply fall off the roof because of its steep angle.

The houses can also do very well in hot temperatures (rock wool works in both conditions – keeps the house warm in winter and
cold in summer).

The insulation material has to be sourced locally since there is no point of transporting it (high volume and no cost saving).

The thickness of insulation material in the different model is:

• SOLO series: 150 mm / 6 inches
• DUO series: 250 mm / 10 inches
• TRIO series: 300 mm / 12 inche

Yes, you can.
Indrek (Avrame CEO) has been living off the grid for already many years and he obviously has a job.

To live off-grid successfully you need to prioritize your energy needs and cut everything superfluous.
Living off-grid will make your life easier and will less financial burdens. It will grant you more time to enjoy the things you really like to do.

The TRUTH about living off-grid

Click here to see the gallery.

To get pre-application advice from your local council in the UK for an Avrame house, follow these steps.
This is not a formal approval or guarantee of permission—it's informal guidance from planning officers on whether your proposal is likely to succeed, what issues might arise, and how to improve your chances before submitting a full planning application.Pre-application advice is strongly recommended for projects like new dwellings (including self-build or kit homes like Avrame), as it helps identify constraints early, such as local policies, site issues (e.g., green belt, AONB, flood risk), design requirements, or the need for extra reports. Government guidance encourages it to improve application quality and success rates.Step-by-Step Process

1. Find your local planning authority (LPA)
   Use the official tool: Visit https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority and enter your postcode or address. This identifies the correct council (England; rules differ slightly in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).
2. Check the council's pre-application service
   Go to your LPA's website and search for "pre-application advice", "pre-app", or "planning advice before applying".
   • Most councils offer this as a charged discretionary service (encouraged but not mandatory).
   • Fees vary by council and project scale (e.g., £100–£500+ for householder/small new builds; higher for major schemes). Some offer free basic advice or reduced rates for self-build.
   • Check if they have specific guidance for self-build, kit homes, or new dwellings.
   • Look for their charges schedule, response times (often 3–8 weeks), and what level of service they provide (e.g., written response only, meeting/phone call, or full report).
3. Gather required information
   To get meaningful advice, provide as much detail as possible:
   • Site location/address and a location plan (e.g., red-lined boundary at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale — buy one via Planning Portal if needed).
   • Description of the proposal: Avrame model (e.g., Solo+, Duo), size, height, materials, intended use (permanent home, annex, holiday let), and any site photos/sketches.
   • Avrame provides floor plans, elevations, and drawings — use their preliminary/general drawings (not full construction ones yet).
   • Any initial thoughts on design, access, parking, drainage, or energy efficiency.
   • If relevant: Site constraints (e.g., conservation area status), ownership proof, or agent/architect details.
4. Submit your request
   • Most councils use an online form (preferred), downloadable PDF/email, or portal submission.
   • Pay any fee (often online, card, or BACS).
   • Examples: Some offer remote video/phone meetings (e.g., 30 minutes); others provide written reports only.
   • Submit via the council's planning section  (planning@ councilname.gov.uk or their form link).
5. What to expect
   • Officers review your proposal against local/national policies (e.g., design, impact on neighbours/landscape, sustainability).
   • You'll get written feedback (and possibly a meeting) on:
     • Likelihood of approval.
     • Required changes (scale, materials, site plan).
     • Needed supporting documents (flood risk assessment, ecology report).
     • Validation requirements for a full application.
   • Advice is officer-level only — not binding (committee/councillors decide formal applications).
   • It often speeds up the full process and reduces refusal risk.
6. After receiving advice
• Refine your design (work with an architect experienced in self-build/kit homes).
• Consider hiring a planning consultant if issues arise (green belt or heritage).
• Proceed to full planning application (via Planning Portal or council) if positive.
• Note: You'll still need building regulations approval separately (structural, energy), even if planning is granted.

For further information, please contact our office to get a tailored advice on an individual project.

We don’t offer financing through Avrame but we have some Financial and Mortgage Companies that work with our units and we can get you in contact with. For further advice get in contact with our office.

Our payment terms are straight forward. 50% pre-payment when signing a contract and the other 50% on the 6th week of production. Production takes 10-12 weeks. Later deposit might cause delay in delivery.

Yes you can do it and here you can find one helpful video -

Before you go off-grid..

Shipping is done either with containers or with truck transportation.

No, it’s not possible with larger houses, but we do have DIY drawings for our smallest models, which are Solo+ - https://shop.avrame.com/collections/diy-plan-sets

Yes they can. The connection of the two models will be thought through in the drawings phase. One example can be found here.

Insulation materials are not part of the kit and have to be sourced locally because they are bulky and will take a lot of room in cargo. You can use fiberglass, rockwool, or spray foam insulation.

Insulation for A-frame houses

Here you can find a video about this topic -

How Insulation Works - in 57 seconds

Due to the low center of mass a-frames are great option for seismic areas. Our houses have been built in Japan, South Korea and California which are prone for earthquakes.

A video about this topic -

Off-grid with a Battery Bank?

It is mostly used to create the main entrance of the
house or to enlarge the bathroom.

Dormers for A-frame houses

Here you can see a list of our representatives -

avrame.com/representatives