Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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We build free-standing secondary dwellings (granny flats), one or two bedrooms, small homes. Using customised or standard designs we cater to seniors, families or individuals. Modern, energy efficient, competitively priced and user friendly.
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Granny Flats can be built up to 60 squared metres floor space. That is the maximum size allowed, comfortable enough to include two bedrooms. Note, attached decks or pergolas, for example, are not included in the floor calculations.
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You can have a granny flat built on your block if your land is 450m2 or greater and has a minimum street frontage of 12m. Siting requires a rear setback of 3m and 900mm to the sides and 3m clear of trees taller than 6m (subject to your LEP).
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Once construction begins, and we have a straight forward run, allow four months to completion. However the construction industry is at the mercy of the elements - poor weather, material and trade delays, difficult sites, design changes midway, unforeseen’s etc., which can all have an impact on time to completion. It makes good sense to be prepared for delays, just in case.
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Being a habitable building, building approval is required. This is to ensure your building is built at or above minimum standards of safety, amenity and longevity, and appropriate for the area it is built.
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DA or development application, refers to the council led building assessment. DA’s are required when there are significant area/property affects or proposals outside the planning guidelines. Once a DA has been approved, you are then required to submit a construction certificate or CC for a 2nd stage assessment. The CC details all the construction specifications. Allow months for a DA assessment.
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A CDC means complying development certificate. Unlike a DA, a CDC is a one step building assessment that typically only takes weeks (not months like a DA). However, a CDC has fixed parameters, e.g. sizes, heights, setbacks, locations etc. If you can’t meet these obligations, then the DA is the pathway.
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Each property is unique and each property needs to be assessed, first to identify any specific zones the property is affected by, second, to design and specify construction as per the relevant building regulations, for example;
Bushfire zone and BAL level,
Flood zone,
Overland waterway,
Heritage area,
Mining subsidence
Flight path
Bio diversity
And more,
There are also possible easements to be addressed - over head power lines, underground services like sewer mains or storm water, rights of way etc.
As part of our process, we clarify these impacts, design and construct accordingly This ensures your build is constructed as it should be.
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We offer competitive pricing based on project type and complexity. To avoid price shock our collaborative system engages the builder, designer, owner at the start. Custom designs require more time to assess. Once all the selections and compliance issues have been determined, we’re able to provide a transparent fixed price quote with no hidden costs.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or call Kathy on 0413 126 238 —we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email, Facebook or Instagram. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
Or you can call Kathy on 0413 126 238
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We’re a local business and we’re supporting other local businesses.
We provide regular communication & updates throughout your project keeping you informed of progress and matters that concern you.
Our worksites are respectful environments - rubbish goes in the bins, we clean up each day and we’re considerate to neighbours
Our ongoing work has created many satisfied customers (see testimonials)
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.
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Age in place refers to staying on at home as you age instead of moving into a retirement village. This has become a more popular choice especially when other family members share the same address. The choice familys’ make is to build a separate dwelling (granny flat) in the backyard to allow ongoing independence and privacy for the elderly (or vise versa) while still being close by
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The beauty of constructing a granny flat specifically for age in place is that support features can be installed during the build, saving on disrupting and inconvenient retro-fits, some requiring significant modifications and cost. By building new, reinforcing for supports, setting specific passageways and forming functional work areas and access areas, occupants can move in to a clean dust-free ready-made home
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Rod’s qualifications
Advanced Certificate Building Supervision (distinction)
Trade Certificate Carpentry and Joinery (distinction)
Passive House Tradesperson
Greensmart Professional
30+ years industry experience
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Great Granny Flats is a family-owned business with over 30 years of experience in custom building and home renovations and we’re bringing these specialised skills to create high-quality, fully functional, and beautifully designed granny flats.
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Like all quality builders, we are fully licensed and carry the required insurances for the building works including home warranty insurance, as required by law.