Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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). On larger lots setbacks are increased.

Once construction begins, and with unhindered progress, allow around four months to completion. Custom designs will take a little longer.

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.

DA stands for development application, and refers to the council led initial building assessment. A construction certificate (CC) is the subsequent assessment. DA’s are required when there are significant area/property affects or proposals outside the planning guidelines. DA’s usually takes months to assess.

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). CDC’s have fixed parameters you need to achieve, e.g. sizes, heights, setbacks, locations etc. If you can meet these obligations, then a CDC is the pathway.

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.

We offer competitive pricing and fixed price contracts based on project type and complexity. To avoid price shock on custom projects, and ensure an achievable build, we collaborate with you and the designer from the start.

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.

Contact Us

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

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

Features include reinforcing for stability supports, building wider passageways, forming functional work areas and eliminating steps. Occupants can move in to a clean dust-free ready-made home. 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 of which require significant modifications and cost.

Rod’s qualifications

Advanced Certificate Building Supervision (distinction)

Trade Certificate Carpentry and Joinery (distinction)

Passive House Tradesperson

Greensmart Professional

30+ years industry experience

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.

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.