Ikea announces flatpack homes

Posted: 05 Dec 2006 11:05:38 GMT

Ikea has announced that it plans to extend its range of flat-pack kits to include starter-homes retailing at less than £100,000

Ikea has announced that it plans to extend its range of flat-pack kits to include starter-homes retailing at less than £100,000.

The company estimated that even factoring in the costs of three bedrooms and a location in the south-east of the UK the homes will cost less than £150,000.

The homes will be launched at a site in Gateshead with an initial development of 90 planned, featuring fully-fitted Ikea kitchens, wooden floors and double glazing.

The homes will come with strict conditions attached however, with ownership barred to anyone earning over £30,000 and to buy-to-let investors.

The homes have already proved to be a hit in Ikea's home territory of Sweden, with 800 selling out fast. There are already plans for a second UK development in Glasgow.

"Using state-of-the-art construction methods, these homes will be like nothing else seen before in the UK," said Alan Prole of Smart@Home which is managing the Ikea project.

"[They] will play an important role in helping first-time buyers who have until now been unable to get on the property ladder due to the spiralling costs of buying a house."

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