Anyone who has ever tried to construct a self-assembly chest of drawers will recognise that they are always more complicated that they look, so you will probably recoil in horror at the thought of putting together a flat pack house.

In the last few years, the self-buils 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. Which is why many people interested in self-build are turning on to the idea of prefabricated homes.

Now, if the thought of prefab houses conjures up images of those little wartime cabin-style 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, permenant building.

As soon as the pieces arrive on site, construction time can be surprisingly rapid with some 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, however this is still considerably quicker than a traditional self-build.

One of the biggest selling points of any kind of self-build home is the issue of flexibility. Naturally your choice of construction materials will come down to a matter of personal taste.

American-style wooden barns or Scandinavian log cabins will bring 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.

Once you've chosen your new home, you will then need somewhere to build it. Whilst the price of land in the UK can't exactly be called cheap, buying prefabricated homes can help reduce costs.

You don't have to do all the dirty work yourself. Many companies will offer a range of different installation services where they can do everything from erecting and weather-proofing the building shell, to fitting the windows and managing the whole project. Alternatively, if cost is an issue but time isn't, the purchaser can take on more of the work themselves.

Although the housing market is said to be steadying, for first-time buyers, buying a house in kit form could be a great way to get on the housing ladder. It's good to bear in mind, however, that finding land, getting planning consent and organising the project itself can be as time consuming and troublesome 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 own house could turn out to be a satisfying and cost-effective project.