Granny Flat Preplanning Checklist: Essential Steps to Build…
Thinking of building a granny flat in your backyard ?
Before embarking on the wrong path, make sure you do your homework well, in advance of seeking out architects for plans or quotes from Granny Flat Builders. Give yourself “peace of mind” by preplanning your granny flat build.
Most building industry professionals will offer excellent advice, free of charge if you approach them in a friendly manner.. Some may even offer advice if you’re not friendly 🙂 Regardless, take some time before proceeding.
The last thing you want is to fork out thousands of dollars in expenses obtaining reports and having plans drawn without doing a little bit of preplanning first up.
We have compiled a quick checklist below of important steps to take in advance of forging ahead..This may not be the complete list of steps for your situation (every site is unique).
It should assist though in providing some degree of caution, allowing you to preplan with confidence, once you’ve answered a few important questions.
Important Preplanning Steps to follow …
Checklist
1st Step – Determine if you are allowed to build a granny flat on your site. Check with your local council planning department or consult with an expert ie.) architect, town planner, Builder etc. 450m2 is the minimum Lot size in NSW for example that a granny flat can be built upon. (Other states of Australia have varying Lot sizes & conditions).
Design – settle on your draft design – which “must have” items and “what I can do without items” Make a wish list of all the important & necessary items you want in your granny flat.
Test the water – with a quote from a Builder.
Determine your final budget – allow a “Contingency sum” of say 5-7% on top of your overall budget for cost overruns. There are many things that can shape the overall cost of construction ie.) price increases on materials & labour, theft of materials, rain delays etc.
Check Access to your backyard – will building materials & trades be able to access the site easily or will your site incur additional costs for labour / time constraints? Think carefully your choice of materials to be used. ie.) concrete piers over screw in type, cladding over bricks, metal roof over tiles etc. Narrow access doesn’t lend itself to fast delivery of materials to the backyard.. The heavier and bulkier the item the more labour intensive & costly. You may even have to consider the cost of craneage over roofs to access your backyard.
Service connections – are gas, water, stormwater & electricity services nearby and accessible ?
Room Planning – try to position your bathroom & kitchen so they share a common internal wall. This is more cost effective for plumbing works. ie.) Kitchens backing on to same wall as your bathroom.
Solar Passive Design (Orientation) – Open plan living areas facing north in Australia are best with sliding or stacker doors opening onto a deck. Try to capture as much sun as possible into the main living areas of your granny flat. This always provides a good feeling and also reduces heating & cooling costs. * consider installing solar to your granny flat (obtain pricing).
Site Conditions – Slope of your back yard can also determine what type of footing / foundation is required. Determining the slope of land can be deceiving by the naked eye, so run a level over it if possible, ask a friend or otherwise seek out free advice before proceeding. You could find contour details of your block if you have the original plans for your main home.
Trees – are there any trees that will need approval to be removed and at what cost ? Obtain a quote or two from local arborists. Big trees generally equate to thousands of dollars.
Orientation – Demolition – don’t forget demolition of existing structures ie.) garden sheds, pools etc.. tip fees are quite high as well so make sure to add up all the “sundry items” when collating your final budget
Final design – settle on your final design and develop a full set of plans including engineering, Basix & BAL assessments, if required. Once you’ve decided on a Builder of your granny flat, they will likely organize plans and take you through all the next steps including Colour selections. If you prefer, you can use an architect for a more personal approach.
Colour Selections. – choose your selections wisely. Consider hiring a Colour Consultant, if going it alone as an owner / builder. An experienced Colours consultant can save you precious time and pain, usually at a very modest price. Choose all your internal finishes. ie.) Kitchen, wall & ceiling colours (stick to neutral palette if renting out), tapware, appliances, flooring choices etc whilst externally, cladding materials, fascia, gutter & roofing choices plus paint finishes. Taking a step further, choose decorator items like blinds, shutters, lighting etc.
Finalize approvals – lodge your building application via your Builder, Architect or as an owner/builder either through a Private Certifier or Local Council. Once approved, apply for a Construction Development Certificate (CDC) and you’re good to commence.
CONCLUSION
Building a granny flat is an exciting and rewarding project. Careful pre-planning is essential to ensure a smooth and cost-effective process. By following this checklist, you can confidently approach the project with a clear understanding of what’s required and avoid costly mistakes.
From determining your eligibility with local council regulations to finalizing your design and approvals, every step contributes to a successful outcome.
Taking the time to plan for site conditions, access, service connections, and thoughtful design will not only save money but also enhance the livability and sustainability of your granny flat.
Remember, professional advice is often readily available, and investing effort upfront will ensure that your project progresses seamlessly, ultimately delivering a functional and beautiful addition to your property.
