The road to building a granny flat is filled with considerations and back and forths about what you want, what you can afford and what you can legally fit onto you property. Sometimes, it’s also about even obtaining a property if you aren’t building on your existing one. Though they are smaller than the average home, it’s still a substantial home build project, and that can be surprising to some people. Acrow Granny Flats work hard to make this as enjoyable and seamless as possible though, and want you to go into the process having fully considered all the most vital factors, and walk into it with positive and accurate expectations. Here’s what to consider before building a granny flat…
Budget
This might seem obvious, but the budget isn’t just about how much the granny flat itself costs. What you can afford to spend on your granny flat will need to be inclusive of the build, any work required to the site, council fees, contingency for unexpected costs (we stay true to our quotes, inclusive of everything, however there could be issues with the land itself, unexpectedly), and landscaping if applicable to your property.
Budget also refers to the kind of finance you can access, if you need it. Or if you have an accessible sum without it. Or, maybe it is split. This will change what you can get, and/or how you get it. Some financing might have caveats or restrictions on what you can build, and interest rates might lower the overall cost you can reach. Conversely, you might have an amount that gives you more freedom and flexibility to upgrade on fixtures and features.
Space
Just because granny flats are traditionally small, doesn’t mean they fit into every property (though we work hard to make it work for you!). There are certain regulations about how far a granny flat needs to be from property borders and neighbouring properties, as well as the viability of the land to uphold the weight, and the terrain – is it an angle that is or isn’t suitable for the build? It’s important to understand the capacity of your property while you’re considering a granny flat design.
Regulations
There are a number of regulations that have to be followed and site requirements that need to be met to make your granny flat a legal dwelling. Acrow Granny Flats are a legitimate and transparent company, we will never cut corners on the legality of our builds, leaving you blindsided by a need to demolish your investment because a T wasn’t crossed, or an I not dotted. We will work with you every step of the way to help you understand your legal requirements, and make sure they’re met before we embark on the building process.
Timeframes
Our Granny Flats typically take between 12 – 14 weeks to complete, however there are factors that can push out that timeframe, that are out of our hands; such as weather events. We go to great lengths to troubleshoot foreseeable problems before they happen, however it is important to look at the time you will need your granny flat done, and if that is realistically achievable.
Approvals
NSW Government have an Affordable Housing State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) that regulates construction of secondary dwellings on your property. It cites that your granny flat must be:
- Established alongside another (principal) dwelling
- Be on the same lot of land as that principal dwelling (and not in a strata plan or community title)
- Within, attached to, or separate from the principal dwelling
You have to also apply for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) via an accredited certifier or your council.
Want to talk more about the potential for you to build a granny flat on your property? Talk to us today!