Frequently Asked Questions
What is Age in Place
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
What Are Age In Place Features
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
How Big is a Granny Flat
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.
How Big Does My Block Need to Be
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).
Do I Need Building Approval
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.
Are You Licenced
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.
What Experience do You Have
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. Or choose from one of our standard designs
What Site Factors do I need to Allow for
While we can provide base level prices for our Granny Flats, where your property is located will determine what additional allowances will be necessary. For example, your proposal may be in a bushfire zone (which has a range of levels), it could be in a flood zone or overland waterway, a heritage area, over mining subsidence or even under a flight path. There are also possible easements to be addressed. No two properties are the same - your next door neighbours property can be impacted by a planning overlay that does not affect yours. As part of our process, we clarify the impacts, advise and plan accordingly