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The Benefits of Building a Granny Flat on Your Property

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    The popularity of granny flats, or auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs), has risen steadily over the past few years. These detached accessory dwelling units (aka "granny flats") are often constructed in the backyard of a primary residence and provide numerous advantages. In this article, we'll discuss a few of the main benefits of having a granny flat on your property.

    Benefits of Building a Granny Flat

    Expanded Quarters

    Having more room to live in is a major perk of constructing a granny apartment. A granny flat can provide the extra space you need for whatever purpose you may require it for, be it a home office, living quarters for extended relatives, or anything else. This is helpful for families with multiple members that need their own living quarters but don't have the space in the main house.

    Value Of Property Appreciates

    The addition of a granny flat can also boost the value of your home. The addition of a granny flat to your property might raise the value of your home because of the increased square footage. If you ever decide to sell your property, having a well-designed and well-built granny flat can make it more appealing to purchasers.

    A New Source Of Revenue

    A granny flat is an excellent investment if you're searching for a method to supplement your income. You have the option of renting out the granny flat on either a long-term or short-term basis. A stable rental income from the granny flat might help defray the initial investment.

    Housing for Multiple Generations

    Granny flats are a great way to accommodate multiple generations in one home. A granny flat is a great way to give your elderly parents or adult children their own space while still being close by. Caregiving in this way can be a wonderful approach to help loved ones without compromising anyone's autonomy.

    Advantages For Nature

    There are greener options than creating a granny flat. You can lessen your impact on the environment by constructing a little house. Reduce your environmental impact by moving into a smaller primary residence, such as a granny flat. an influence on the environment will be further lessened if you build a granny flat out of sustainable materials.

    In most cases, a granny flat is a good financial move for homeowners. A granny flat can serve multiple purposes, such as providing additional living space, increasing rental income, or facilitating multigenerational households. If you want to add a granny flat to your property, it's important to hire a reliable contractor that can assist you in planning, designing, and constructing the perfect space.

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    7 Things to Keep in Mind While Constructing a Granny Flat

    Value can be increased by adding a granny flat to a property because of the increased square footage of habitable space. Backyard Grannys is the go-to company for designing and building cutting-edge granny flats, whether you need one for an ageing parent, a visiting relative, a friend, a teenager, a home office, a studio, or as a rental.

    A granny flat may be in your future, but not until you give some thought to the following.

    Space

    Do you think a designer granny flat would fit in my backyard? is a common question we get at Backyard Grannys. To begin, your land area must be at least 450 square metres and its zoning must be set aside for residential use. There are a few more details to work out, and you may learn how to construct your granny flat without the involvement of the local government right here. In order to be a legal structure, a granny flat can be no more than 60 square metres.

    Property Requirements

    Your property's building line, where your current house sits, ought to be no less than 12 metres wide. The property lines must be kept at least 3 metres away from the property's rear and at least 0.9 metres away from the property's sides. Trees taller than 6 metres must be kept at least 3 metres away from your granny flat. The convenience of getting to the site is another factor. Although it is possible to work with less than 1.2 m / 1.5 m of unobstructed access, doing so will increase expenses due to the increased need for human effort.

    Budget

    We advise consulting with a bank or financial advisor before committing to a project due to the significant budget and financial considerations involved in constructing a granny flat. The average cost of a granny flat is between $120,000 and $130,000, which is significantly less than the cost of a conventional house of the same size.

    What permissions are needed, and from whom, is a crucial question. The Affordable Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) was introduced by the New South Wales government a few years ago to govern the development of secondary residences. A 'complying development' is one that meets all of the aforementioned criteria, which were previously referred to in a more general sense. A granny flat's CDC must also meet the following requirements:

    located either within the primary residence itself, as an annexe to it, or on ground adjacent to it, but not on its own independent lot (as in a strata plan or community title scheme), and may be any combination of the three.

    A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can be obtained from your local council or a recognised certifier. Check out the clear and comprehensive granny flats area of our website for more information.

    Time

    Your new granny apartment should be ready for occupancy in about 12 to 14 weeks. Even if the construction timeline only appears to be a few months long, careful consideration of the potential consequences is warranted. Will your normal routine have to change because of the construction in your backyard?

    Depreciation

    To qualify for depreciation on a granny flat as a secondary residence, it must generate revenue. If that's the case, then you can write off the cost of any capital improvements you made. The natural deterioration of the building through time is included in this category. If you own a granny apartment in addition to your primary residence and plan to depreciate it, you should discuss the possibility of doing so with your accountant or a taxation specialist.

    Implications For Taxes

    No tax breaks are available if the granny flat is being constructed for the purpose of renting out space to a member of the taxpayer's immediate family. However, rental revenue is subject to taxation, and expenses related to financing the construction, maintaining the property, and operating the property can be deducted.

    How to Find a Trustworthy Granny Flat Construction Company

    It's crucial to get the best possible granny flat constructor the first time around. Without trustworthy granny flat builders, your dream home could turn into a living nightmare at any point of the design or construction process.

    Looking at the vast assortment of granny flat manufacturers and studio home constructors on the market doesn't help simplify the decision. Given that it would be extremely time-consuming to read through them all, we have instead 

    Strive For Dependability And Promptness.

    Time is a significant factor to consider when designing and constructing a high-quality granny flat. Therefore, promptness is of the utmost importance right away, as you wouldn't want significant sections of your land to look like building sites for too long. Your potential granny flat builder should always be asked for examples of previous work, and you should carefully research internet reviews of their completed projects.

    If the granny apartment is prefabricated, finding out how the business plans to move it can be helpful. This should give you a good indication of how complicated or easy the construction process will be. Since a mini-crane is typically used during the construction of a granny flat, you should enquire as to what conditions the builder will guarantee in terms of transportation and reducing damage to the structure.

    Home Service Contracts

    Your granny flat contractor must be properly insured before any work can begin. You and the person constructing the granny flat both need to know about this workaround. They need to produce a current Certificate of Currency to prove that they have been approved by WorkCover to carry building insurance. It would strengthen your case if you are well-versed in any conditions that may be outlined in the certificate.

    How Dependable And Competent Are Their Suppliers?

    Your contractor likely has relationships set up with sources for building supplies. The reliability of your suppliers is just as crucial as that of your builder. If the builder quotes you a lower price, they may be using cheaper materials from less reputable sources to keep costs down. This may lower the standard of everything from the framework to the last touches on tiles and cornices.

    Always look for a granny flat builder who promises to use only Australian-made products sourced from reliable local businesses. This will not only provide you piece of mind, but it will also benefit the community's small businesses.

    A Huge Range Of Different Designs

    Be cautious of a granny flat builder who only gives you one or two design options. This usually means that they only offer low-cost solutions and are not flexible enough to meet your needs or the needs of your property's landscape. Always enquire about the company's design options, and examine each granny flat closely to determine how they differ from one another.

    Communication and Honesty

    Trustworthy granny flat builders will have open communication with their clients. If they are flexible enough to adapt their plans to your specific requirements for the granny flat, this will become apparent as well. If you've picked a good builder, you'll keep in touch with them as the project progresses. This will make it less difficult to monitor progress and stay on schedule with your project.

    Choose Trustworthy Builders Of Granny Flats Who Will Treat Your Home Like It's Their Own.

    Having the construction of a granny flat result in a lot of stress and chaos is the last thing anyone wants. You should hire trustworthy granny flat builders who will respect your home and garden as if they were their own when constructing or renovating a granny flat. This demonstrates the trustworthiness and success of the entire process of constructing a granny flat, and it's also a nice gesture.

     

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    Choose Someone Who Is Only A Granny Flat Builder.

    Sometimes, the people who construct granny flats are not who they claim to be. Many of them are subcontractors for a larger construction firm that also specialises in alterations and extensions. The documentation and approval process for a granny flat in Melbourne can be complicated, which isn't always a bad thing. If you want to rest easy, hire a construction company that specialises in creating granny flats rather than a general contractor.

    Many potential layouts to choose from

    A granny flat builder with only one or two layout options should raise red flags. This typically means that they offer only low-cost solutions and are not adaptable to your needs or the topography of your property. Always enquire about the variety of layouts they provide, and look closely at each granny flat on offer.

    Open And Honest Dialogue

    The mark of a trustworthy granny flat builder is one who is prepared to have an open dialogue with you about your needs and goals. This will be clear if they are able to make adjustments to their plans so that the granny flat meets all of your requirements. If you've picked a good builder, you'll be able to keep this line of communication open throughout the entire construction process. This will make project management much less complicated.

    Having a significant interruption and mess after building a granny flat is the last thing anyone wants. Finding trustworthy granny flat builders is as important as finding trustworthy builders for any other form of construction or renovation. This is not just the courteous thing to do; it also serves as a barometer for the overall quality of the granny flat construction.

    Hire A Specialist In Building Granny Flats.

    The people who construct granny flats aren't always who they seem to be. The majority of these businesses are subdivisions of larger enterprises that also perform remodelling and addition work. While this isn't always a bad thing, those unfamiliar with the Melbourne granny flat approval process may be left scratching their heads. You should hire a contractor who focuses in granny flats specifically rather than a general contractor so that you can rest easy.

    Conclusion 

    Granny flats, or auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs), have become increasingly popular in recent years. They provide more room to live in, value of property appreciation, a new source of revenue, housing for multiple generations, and lessen environmental impact. The benefits of building a granny flat include expanded quarters, value of property appreciation, a new source of revenue, housing for multiple generations, and lessening environmental impact. Granny flats can be constructed in the backyard of a primary residence and provide additional living space, value of property appreciation, a new source of revenue, housing for multiple generations, and lessen environmental impact. A granny flat is a good financial move for homeowners, providing additional living space, increasing rental income, or facilitating multigenerational households.

    To add a granny flat to a property, it is important to hire a reliable contractor that can assist in planning, designing, and constructing the perfect space. To be a legal structure, a granny flat must be no more than 60 square metres. Property requirements include a land area of at least 450 square metres and its zoning must be set aside for residential use. The average cost of a granny flat is between $120,000 and $130,000, which is significantly less than the cost of a conventional house of the same size. The Affordable Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) was introduced by the New South Wales government to govern the development of secondary residences.

    A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can be obtained from a local council or a recognised certifier. The construction timeline for a granny flat should be 12-14 weeks, with careful consideration of the potential consequences. Depreciation on a granny flat as a secondary residence must generate revenue, and tax breaks are not available if the granny flat is being constructed for the purpose of renting out space to a member of the taxpayer's immediate family. It is important to find a trustworthy granny flat constructor the first time around. The most important details to consider when choosing a granny flat builder are time, reliability, and promptness.

    The builder should be asked for examples of previous work and research internet reviews of their completed projects. The builder should also provide a Home Service Contract and a Certificate of Currency to prove they have been approved by WorkCover to carry building insurance. Additionally, the builder should have relationships set up with sources for building supplies, and the reliability of their suppliers should be taken into account. Choose a granny flat builder who promises to use only Australian-made products sourced from reliable local businesses. Enquire about the company's design options and examine each granny flat closely to determine how they differ from one another.

    Trustworthy granny flat builders will have open communication with their clients and treat their home and garden as if they were their own. Choose someone who is only a granny flat builder if the documentation and approval process for a granny flat in Melbourne is complicated. The most important details are that a trustworthy granny flat builder should offer a variety of layouts, have an open dialogue with the customer, and hire a specialist in building granny flats. This will ensure that the granny flat meets all of the customer's needs and goals, and make project management easier. Additionally, it is important to hire a contractor who focuses in granny flats specifically rather than a general contractor.

    Content Summary: 

    • The popularity of granny flats, or auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs), has risen steadily over the past few years.
    • These detached accessory dwelling units (aka "granny flats") are often constructed in the backyard of a primary residence and provide numerous advantages.
    • In this article, we'll discuss a few of the main benefits of having a granny flat on your property.
    • Having more room to live in is a major perk of constructing a granny apartment.
    • The addition of a granny flat can also boost the value of your home.
    • The addition of a granny flat to your property might raise the value of your home because of the increased square footage.
    • You can lessen your impact on the environment by constructing a little house.
    • Reduce your environmental impact by moving into a smaller primary residence, such as a granny flat.
    • In most cases, a granny flat is a good financial move for homeowners.
    • If you want to add a granny flat to your property, it's important to hire a reliable contractor that can assist you in planning, designing, and constructing the perfect space.
    • Value can be increased by adding a granny flat to a property because of the increased square footage of habitable space.
    • Do you think a designer granny flat would fit in my backyard?
    • There are a few more details to work out, and you may learn how to construct your granny flat without the involvement of the local government right here.
    • In order to be a legal structure, a granny flat can be no more than 60 square metres.
    • Trees taller than 6 metres must be kept at least 3 metres away from your granny flat.
    • A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can be obtained from your local council or a recognised certifier.
    • Check out the clear and comprehensive granny flats area of our website for more information.
    • To qualify for depreciation on a granny flat as a secondary residence, it must generate revenue.
    • If you own a granny apartment in addition to your primary residence and plan to depreciate it, you should discuss the possibility of doing so with your accountant or a taxation specialist.
    • No tax breaks are available if the granny flat is being constructed for the purpose of renting out space to a member of the taxpayer's immediate family.
    • It's crucial to get the best possible granny flat constructor the first time around.
    • Looking at the vast assortment of granny flat manufacturers and studio home constructors on the market doesn't help simplify the decision.
    • Time is a significant factor to consider when designing and constructing a high-quality granny flat.
    • If the granny apartment is prefabricated, finding out how the business plans to move it can be helpful.
    • This should give you a good indication of how complicated or easy the construction process will be.
    • Since a mini-crane is typically used during the construction of a granny flat, you should enquire as to what conditions the builder will guarantee in terms of transportation and reducing damage to the structure.
    • Your granny flat contractor must be properly insured before any work can begin.
    • You and the person constructing the granny flat both need to know about this workaround.
    • They need to produce a current Certificate of Currency to prove that they have been approved by WorkCover to carry building insurance.
    • It would strengthen your case if you are well-versed in any conditions that may be outlined in the certificate.
    • Your contractor likely has relationships set up with sources for building supplies.
    • The reliability of your suppliers is just as crucial as that of your builder.
    • Always look for a granny flat builder who promises to use only Australian-made products sourced from reliable local businesses.
    • Be cautious of a granny flat builder who only gives you one or two design options.
    • Always enquire about the company's design options, and examine each granny flat closely to determine how they differ from one another.
    • Trustworthy granny flat builders will have open communication with their clients.
    • If you've picked a good builder, you'll keep in touch with them as the project progresses.
    • You should hire trustworthy granny flat builders who will respect your home and garden as if they were their own when constructing or renovating a granny flat.
    • The documentation and approval process for a granny flat in Melbourne can be complicated, which isn't always a bad thing.
    • If you want to rest easy, hire a construction company that specialises in creating granny flats rather than a general contractor.
    • Many potential layouts to choose from A granny flat builder with only one or two layout options should raise red flags.
    • Always enquire about the variety of layouts they provide, and look closely at each granny flat on offer.
    • The mark of a trustworthy granny flat builder is one who is prepared to have an open dialogue with you about your needs and goals.
    • If you've picked a good builder, you'll be able to keep this line of communication open throughout the entire construction process.
    • Finding trustworthy granny flat builders is as important as finding trustworthy builders for any other form of construction or renovation.
    • You should hire a contractor who focuses in granny flats specifically rather than a general contractor so that you can rest easy.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Granny Flat

    Under Victorian law, only one person can live in a granny flat at any time. That person must be dependent on the person/s in the main home – usually this is because of an economic, social or medical disadvantage. That's why granny flats are called DPUs in Victoria.

    Keep the Walls and Roof Simple. The simplest design — and also the cheapest — to build is a box with a straight roof. That means to avoid any protrusions or nooks and crannies in the walls of the house as those add design and construction costs.

    Tiny Houses can range from 60 square feet up to 400 square feet when built on a trailer. Of course, you can build bigger if you build on a foundation. Typically your tiny house can be up to 8 feet wide inside, so your length will be the main variable that impacts square footage.

    The cheapest way to build a home is to design a simple box. Sticking to a square or rectangular floor plan makes the building and design simple. Generally speaking, building up is cheaper than building a sprawling one-story home, so you may want to consider planning for a multiple-story home if you need more space.

    A home with a simple and concise layout is the cheapest type of house to build. Ranch homes are typically single-story structures with attached garages. They're easy to find construction plans for and highly customizable, so you can find a home that fits your needs and budget.

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