Збірні будівлі з AliExpress та Temu: основні небезпеки, про які замовчують продавці (ілюстрації)

Ready-made modular homes from China promise comfort and low prices, but behind the attractive facade lie serious legal and technical risks.

Videos of unboxing houses from AliExpress and Temu, with prices starting from £10,000 (around 600,000 UAH), are going viral on social media. However, experts warn that the actual cost of equipping such housing could be significantly higher due to bureaucratic hurdles and building regulations.

This is reported by the Daily Mail.

Ready-made houses from AliExpress and Temu — prices and specifications

If you’ve already felt the impact of the housing crisis, you might be interested in an unusual alternative – purchasing a ready-made house on AliExpress or Temu. Chinese marketplaces offer prefabricated homes for prices starting from a few thousand pounds sterling.

Platforms that have gained popularity for their extremely low prices are selling prefabricated houses that, at first glance, appear quite comfortable: with bedrooms, bathrooms, and even solar panels. More affordable models cost around £10,000 (600,000 UAH).

The most expensive option on AliExpress is a modern house costing £61,670 (approximately 3,700,871 UAH). It features two bedrooms, two living rooms, and two balconies. With £185,010 (around 11,102,614 UAH), a plot of land, and a bit of imagination, one could create a six-room dwelling by combining three such modules.

Interior features include marble flooring, a voice control system, and glass skylights. For an additional fee, buyers are also offered projection equipment, electric underfloor heating, and automated blackout blinds.

Some expandable container houses, ranging from 20 to 40 feet in length (6 to 12 meters), are shipped from China in a ready-to-use state with free delivery. Other models have a foldable design, which can be convenient for those who frequently relocate or travel.

Additional costs for installing houses from AliExpress and Temu

However, despite the attractive price tags, buyers should consider more than just the cost of the house itself. This is emphasized by Sarah Saadaouni, a lecturer in construction management at Nottingham Trent University.

“The price in the advertisement is only part of the story. In a project like this, the real costs start when you add delivery, import duties, VAT, crane services, foundations, site preparation, utility connections, project approvals, building control, and potential costs for adaptation or rectifying defects. In other words, the price of the product itself might seem very attractive, but the total project cost is a different matter entirely,” explained the expert.

According to her, such a house will only function well if it is properly designed, taking into account the climate, orientation, and specific site conditions. In Britain, this means carefully considering insulation, airtightness, ventilation, solar gain, overheating risks, and structural durability. A single solution cannot suit all conditions.

“The main question is not whether the house is prefabricated, but what it is made of, where it comes from, and how it will perform throughout its lifespan. If the finishes only last five years and need replacement, this will significantly increase the carbon footprint,” said Saadaouni.

Houses from AliExpress and Temu are unlikely to meet building regulations

Rico Wojtyulewicz, head of policy and market analysis at the Federation of Master Builders, also believes that such houses are unlikely to meet current regulatory standards.

“We desperately need new homes, but these models do not fall under housing consumer protection codes, do not comply with building regulations, and are unlikely to get planning permission. However, if you somehow manage to obtain permission, in many places such a house will pay for itself within six months compared to renting,” noted the expert.

Chinese-made houses are typically sold with a warranty or a 90-day return policy. In the US, buyers have repeatedly shared their experiences of purchasing similar modular homes through Temu.

Permit for installing a modular house

However, in most cases, to install a house for a period longer than 28 days – including those purchased on Temu or AliExpress – it is necessary to obtain approval from local authorities. As stated by MPH Building Systems, a manufacturer of modular houses, the process of obtaining such a permit can be lengthy, complex, and costly.

“Obtaining a permit for installing a modular building can be accompanied by a number of difficulties, including local zoning restrictions, objections from neighbors, and the need to meet environmental and aesthetic requirements. These obstacles can delay the approval process and increase costs. To overcome these challenges, it is important to engage with the local community in advance, address potential issues, and demonstrate the benefits of the proposed project,” stated MPH Building Systems.

They added that conducting a thorough site analysis and ensuring the plans comply with local development policies also increases the chances of approval.

To submit the documents, a detailed package of materials must be prepared: drawings of the future structure, floor plans, a site layout plan, and an explanatory note specifying the building’s purpose.

MPH Building Solutions specialists recommend engaging an architect or a planning consultant who can help review the documentation for compliance with requirements and increase the likelihood of a positive decision.

Additional documents are often required from applicants, including an environmental impact assessment, a flood risk analysis, and a cover letter explaining how the project will comply with local development regulations.

“If you undertake a project that requires a building permit without obtaining one, you risk receiving a notice for mandatory remediation, which will compel you to undo all changes made. Building legislation exists to enable local authorities to control compliance with established requirements. At the same time, factors such as land use, building appearance, site landscaping, road access, and environmental impact are taken into account. Therefore, from a legal and financial perspective, you should ensure that all necessary permits are obtained for the planned modular building,” cautioned MPH Building Solutions.

Reviews from owners of houses from AliExpress and Temu

Many such houses are sold with the promise of free delivery from China’s Henan province. On average, buyers have to wait about two months, and the final cost depends on the configuration and additional options.

On TikTok, users actively share their experiences of ordering similar housing. One man demonstrated the process of delivering a house from AliExpress to Birmingham. Another blogger, @kylethomas, mentioned that his house was damaged during transport, but this did not spoil his impression of the purchase.

“It actually arrived. It’s huge,” said the man.

According to AliExpress information, most of these houses are made of steel structures. They can be moved by crane if needed, and several modules can be combined to create more spacious living areas.

After delivery, owners often have to arrange utility connections themselves. If they lack the necessary skills in electrical or plumbing work, specialists will need to be hired to connect the house to central networks or autonomous water and electricity supply systems.

Since modular houses arrive almost ready for use, they cannot be installed directly on the ground. For structural stability, a concrete foundation must be laid to prevent settling.

An Australian woman named Tammy shared her experience of living in such a house six months after its installation in a video on the YouTube channel Heads of Estate & Renovation.

“It’s still standing. I’m quite happy with what I have,” she said.

While showcasing her compact dwelling, Tammy admitted that there were some difficulties, including leaks.

“You get what you pay for,” she added, explaining that she carried out the repairs herself and cheaply, including fixing a leaking toilet.

Reflecting on who such houses might be suitable for, she noted: “It’s more of an option for one person or a couple. It would be cramped for more people.”

The popularity of these houses is also boosted by numerous videos from American bloggers. For example, the Royalty Family purchased a house from Temu for their teenage son so he could spend time with friends separately from the rest of the family. The video showcasing the result received over 140,000 likes. In the comments, users positively evaluated the experiment.

One viewer wrote: “The house from Temu is much better than I expected.”

Another commented: “A lot of hard-working homeless people would be happy to have a house like this!”

A third user added: “Now that’s real next-level shopping.”

American blogger Unspeakable also decided to test this housing format. He purchased several utility modules from Temu and combined them into one structure, creating a fully functional house. However, during a test of its resistance to adverse weather conditions, some shortcomings were revealed. Specifically, under the influence of a powerful airflow from an industrial fan, the structure began to vibrate noticeably.

Incidentally, in Ukraine, it is still possible to purchase housing with a budget of up to $20,000, although the condition of such apartments often requires major repairs. The largest number of cheap offers are in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Sumy regions due to their proximity to the front line. In the Kyiv region, such options are rarer, mainly in satellite towns and far from the capital. The price depends on the security situation in the region, the condition of the house, and the need for renovation.

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