Don't miss your chance for some invaluable advice from the experts!
Let us help at Build It Live
Claim your two free tickets here!Let us help at Build It Live
Claim your two free tickets here!Estimate your project costs instantly with Build It's interactive self-build cost calculator
Calculate NowGet an accurate, detailed cost breakdown of your project
Submit plansWe are looking to replace a mobile home with a log home or modular build. Can you advise on the best option for a long term home. We would have preferred brick built but would be outside our £120,000 budget for a 3 bedroom bungalow.
Hi Milly,
Thank you for your questions.
If you’re thinking of replacing a mobile home with a new build on a £120,000 budget, the first thing you really need to tie down is what kind of building you’re actually planning. This is because it makes a huge difference to what standards you’ll need to meet, and ultimately, whether the budget is feasible.
If the current mobile home is classed as a caravan, and what you’re building next is technically another temporary or mobile structure (even if it has three bedrooms), then it may fall under different standards — like BS 3632 (for residential park homes) or EN 1647 (for holiday homes). These standards are much less demanding than full Building Regulations, and the construction costs are lower. That might work for your budget, but only just.
But if you’re actually planning to build a permanent house that complies with Building Regulations, it’s a very different story. Realistically, £120,000 won’t stretch far — especially for a three-bedroom house. You’re likely looking at about £2,000–£2,400 per m² for a fully compliant build, which means your budget might cover only 50–60m² at best. That’s tight, and probably not enough space for what you’re hoping to achieve, even if you opt for a low cost open panel timber frame, which is about the cheapest regulation compliant system you’ll find on the market today.
Hope this helps!
Mark Stevenson, Build It’s project management expert