Anyone who has ever attempted to put together a self-assembly chest of drawers will recognise that these things are always more complicated than they look. Weekends spent wrestling with incomprehensible instructions and then, getting to the end and finding out you have run out of nails and the drawers are upside down.

But if flat-pack furniture is enough to drive you to distraction, you probably won't be that keen on the idea of putting together a flat-pack house.

In the past few years the self-build market has been increasing, bolstered by the enthusiasm of TV property shows and the idea that a do-it-yourself house can often be cheaper than going for something ready made. But in general, self-build projects are not particularly simple things, with the ever-present worry of budgets, plans, weather and builders to manage as well as the considerable investment of time and effort on behalf of the owner. This may be why many people interested in self-build are turning on to the idea of prefabricated homes, where large sections of the building are constructed separately and then shipped in ready-made before being slotted together on site.

Now, if the thought of prefab houses conjures up images of those little cabin-style wartime boxes, then be reassured that modern prefabs are a world away, both in terms of design and construction.

Some companies specialise in high-tech steel and glass, while others use more traditional wooden construction methods to create a strong, permanent building.

With any self-build project, time is money and this is one of the big benefits of choosing a prefabricated house. As soon as the pieces arrive on site, construction time can be surprisingly quick, with homes going from flat-pack to completed building in less than a fortnight. Once the building shell is up, the interior will still need to be finished, but the process is still considerably quicker than a traditional self-build.

As well as speed, there is also the benefit of flexibility. Although you will be bound by local planning regulations, the design, style and choice of construction materials will be yours, allowing you to build a home you will want to live in.

American-style wooden barns or Scandinavian log cabins will give a sense of warmth and rustic charm to your property, while modern construction materials such as metal and glass will create clean lines for a 21st Century edge.

But as well as choosing the style of the property, you will also need to find somewhere to build it, as while the price of land in the UK can be expensive, buying a prefabricated property can help reduce costs, by keeping the length of the build to a minimum.

But if the thought of all that DIY fills you with horror, don't worry; you don't have to do all the work yourself.

Many companies will offer a range of different installation services where they can take care of everything from erecting and weather-proofing the building to fitting the windows or, if you prefer, managing the entire project. Alternatively, if cost is an issue and you feel like getting your hands dirty, you can take on more of the work yourself.

With the property market still holding its own, first-time buyers may find that buying a house in kit form may be one way they could get more for their money. It's good to bear in mind, however, that finding land, getting planning consent and organising the project itself can be as complex and time consuming as it is for those who take a more traditional self-build route.

But for the ultimate DIY or model building enthusiast, putting together your very own house from a kit could turn out to be a satisfying and cost-effective way to get a self-build home.