Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for answers about your granny flat project? Our FAQ section covers most of what you need to know, from design, approval and construction. Whether you’re building a cozy retreat for family or a smart investment, we provide expert guidance and tailored solutions to bring your vision to life. Explore our gallery of granny flat floor plans and discover modern, functional designs that maximize space, comfort, and value. Hopefully the section below can answer some of your initial questions, contact us to discuss your project further!
Q. How long will it take to build the granny flat?
A. It generally takes 18-20 weeks to build the granny flat from site establishment to handover.
Q. Can I subdivide my land once the granny flat is built?
A. No, subdivision is not permitted.
Q. How big is a granny flat allowed to be?
A. 60sq.m measured from the external walls.
Q. Do I have to go through Council to get my granny flat approved?
A. Not necessarily. If your block of land meets the minimum design standards as set out in the State Environmental Planning Policy for Affordable Housing, then a Private Certifier can approve your granny flat under a CDC (Complying Development Certificate).
Q. Can my granny flat be attached to the existing house?
A. Yes, however, there must be a fire-rated wall to separate the house and the granny flat since they are two separate dwellings. This will generally be more expensive than building a detached granny flat.
Q. If I have a battle-axe block, can I still build a granny flat?
A. Yes, however, the driveway access must be minimum 3m wide and the block must have minimum dimensions of 12m x 12m .
Q. Can I build two granny flats on my block?
A. NO – only one granny flat is allowed. Each lot is allowed one primary dwelling (house) and one secondary dwelling (granny flat). However a 36 sq.m ‘Studio’ is permissible on the property in addition to the granny flat. The studio cannot be used for rental purposes i.e no laundry or cooking facilities allowed.
Q. What is a granny flat?
A. A granny flat is a small, self-contained building that can be attached to the main residence or used as a separate structure. Granny flats can be used as a residence, second home, or rental property. They are often used to house extended family members, such as grandparents or adult children.
Q. Is building a granny flat a good investment?
A. Depending on the size and location of your granny flat, it can also generate a good income stream through rent. Granny flats offer an excellent way to gain extra living space without having to go through the hassle and expense of moving. So overall, building a granny flat is definitely something worth considering if you're looking for ways to increase the value of your property portfolio. Building a granny flat can be a very wise investment in terms of property wealth and property value.
Q. Will a granny flat add value?
A. Granny flats will add to the capital value of your home and will likely result in a higher sale price. In most cases, the rental return from the granny flat will turn a property from a negative-geared investment to a positive-geared investment depending on the value of your loan and the rental return in your suburb. Backyards are considered by some to be wasted real estate, hence why so many property owners are constructing granny flats to make use of their land. Granny flats are a great investment on existing properties given that the price of land in Sydney is relatively high.
Q. How long has the Granny Flat Experts been operating for?
A. We've been specialising in granny flats for 12 years.
Q. Can i build a two storey granny flat?
A. YES you can, however you are still limited to 60sqm maximum floor area which means you will have 30sq.m on ground floor and 30sq.m on the first floor. This is not the most cost effective option if you have room for a single storey 60sq.m granny flat on your property.
Q. Do you have a showroom/display we can visit?
A. YES – you can book an appointment to visit our showroom at 37B Cook St, Baulkham Hills. Appointments to be booked with the Managing Director, George Elias.
Q. What are the external wall options available for a granny flat?
A.
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Vinyl cladding
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Fibre-cement cladding
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Acrylic Render (over Polystyrene board)
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Brick-veneer
Q. What does your granny flat price include?
A.
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All site set-up costs.
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Site excavation and dirt removal.
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Services connections with separate metres for water and electricity.
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A wide range of upgrades for only $4,900 incl. GST as per our ‘upgrade package’ (Details will be included in the Tender Proposal.
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NOTE: All inclusions are detailed in our Tender Proposal.
Q. What additional costs do I need to consider?
A. In addition to our ‘turn-key’ price, the following costs need to be considered:
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External Works (Landscaping, fencing, pathways, driveways and the like)
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Demolition of existing structures if required (E.g garages, sheds, swimming pools etc)
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Tree removal if required
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Council contributions (costs varies depending on the Council)
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Main electrical board upgrade (if required)
Q. Do you custom design your granny flats?
A. YES, all our projects are custom-designed at no additional cost
Q. What are the property requirements for a granny flat?
A.
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450 sq.m minimum block size.
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12m minimum frontage (measured from the front of the building line).
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3m setback required from the granny flat to the rear boundary.
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0.9m setback from the granny flat to the side boundaries.
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Granny flat must be 1.8m minimum away from the house OR can be 0.9m away if the granny flat wall is fire-rated.
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Granny flat must be 3m away from any trees on site (excluding fruit trees).