Purchasing a Half Build

I notice a lot of half builds coming on the market over the last few months--many of them only built to wall-plate level.
Are there any serious issues to buying a house built only to this level-assume site cleared wall-plate, septic tank and road facing wall complete -
Does the fact that they have been standing unroofed for 2-3 years make a difference?
If you were to tender to get a different builder to finish the house ; is it difficult? and lastly is there a rough price per sq foot you can apply to get the cost to date assuming the above is done.

sorry for all the questions but hadnt previousy considered going down this route

just wondering if anyone has an opinion?

Firstly ....if you are getting a mortgage on this house ..the bank tend to refuse to lend on Half Built houses for numerous reasons ... Before you break your heart...check with your lender because if they say no...then you have saved yourself alot of hassle !!!

CHECK WITH YOUR LENDER FIRST !

thanks--

Ok, lender is fine. Pricing builders now for costs to finish one we have recently seen and will get a structural survey done before we commit to anything.
If I do go ahead and agree with a contractor to finish it I assume I need an engineer as well to check the work as it is being done. Can anyone give me a guide price on what I should be budgeting for one.

One other question.. The site is very heavily forested all round and won't get a huge amount of direct sunlight. Anyone in similar circumstances? Do you miss the sunlight; would you buy elsewhere if you could make the decision again?
Thanks
WU

I would never purchase a house that did not get some sunlight if there was a choice. Sometimes if you are in the middle of a housing estate you have to take what you get but if you are buying in the countryside then I think it has to be one of the most important things.

I live in a town but had an empty site beside me until recently, I had great sunlight in the house, sun shining in kitchen windows in the morning but a new house has been built beside me which blocks that out and I really see a difference, not as welcoming and warm without the sunshine.

Another point, dont know whether you are a gardener or not but you will be ate with midges from early evening, a relative of mine has a lovely garden but has a lot of trees around it, cannot stay out to garden or even sit there in summer (if we get a fine day) due to the bugs.

inclined to agree with you-- but there are a lot of other positives-guess we just need to weigh them all up