What to expect when building a granny flat on your property.

October 11, 2023

A common question we get is; what to expect when a granny flat is building starts on my property? First and foremost, we recognise that most people are asking about the safety and well-being of their children and pets, and we can assure you by saying that before any work commences onsite, there will be secure and sturdy fencing erected for everyone's safety.

There are going to be trades coming to site most days, and suppliers will be making deliveries throughout the build. To ensure this doesn't catch you off-guard, we will provide you a detailed brief at the start of each week. It will outline who and what to expect at your house and what stage we should achieve that week.

BCC Homes and our contractors work to a code of practice whereby we will not start on site before 6:30 am and will finish no later than sundown. At the end of each work day, the site will be left immaculate with rubbish removed to the allocated skip bin on site. We take pride in our craft and capture photos at each of our site visits for each claimable stage, and (with your permission) we will share these on our social channels.

Finally, we also understand that building a home, or granny flat, is a huge undertaking and can be stressful for a myriad of reasons. If you have any concerns regarding any aspect of the build, we are here to speak with you whenever you need.

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How to Get Quick Building Approval in South-East Queensland

By Krystle Barnett • June 10, 2025

So, you're ready to build. Maybe it's a Granny Flat for Mum, a teenager retreat, or a smart way to boost your property value. But before the dream takes shape, there's the not-so-glamorous hurdle of building approvals. We hear this question all the time from families across the South East Queensland: "How do I get building approval quickly and without all the runaround?" We've helped countless Queensland families cut through the red tape and get their Granny Flat projects moving faster. Here are our top tips to avoid lengthy approvals and start building sooner. First things first – the aim is to qualify as a Secondary Dwelling. We'll share how you can do this below, and knowing these secrets is where you're going to save both time and money! Secondary Dwelling Code: Your Fast-Track to Approval By following a few simple rules, you'll be able to have a Private Certifier approve your Granny Flat instead of your local council. This isn't just a faster turnaround time – it can also save you thousands of dollars. Even better, if you're adding a Granny Flat for additional income, you'll start seeing a return on your investment much sooner. Why Avoid Development Applications? All councils, including the City of Gold Coast, follow a standardised development assessment process guided by the Planning Act 2016 and the Development Assessment Rules. This process involves several lengthy stages, including application, referral, information requests and then finally the decision from Council. Fortunately, the City Plan supports secondary dwellings, therefore if you have followed the requirements and provided the necessary documents, in most cases you will get approval. This is however where you'll spend months waiting and where possible, want to avoid. Our Top Tips for Qualifying Under the Secondary Dwelling Code Here's how to stay within the rules and fast-track your approval: Stay Off the Boundaries There are minimum distances that secondary dwellings must be built from your boundary lines. Knowing what these are and building within those requirements will save you significant time when it comes to approvals – and determines which approval pathway you'll need to take. Stay Under 80m² - size matters There are a few variations, but keeping your Granny Flat under 80m² on the Gold Coast will mean you'll be eligible to classify it as a Secondary Dwelling, which means faster approvals and lower costs. Note: Each council varies slightly on sizing, just contact us to find out more. Build Within the Correct Zones For most areas, your Granny Flat needs to be built within a specific distance of your main property. On the Gold Coast it's 20 metres for a rural property, or 10 metres from eave to eave on a low/medium density home, but again this can vary depending on which council area you're in. Building your Granny Flat within these requirements can again avoid delays. These requirements will be available from your local council and providing you abide by the zoning regulations; you can proceed under the Secondary Dwelling pathway. The Bottom Line If you go outside these rules, the council gets involved as your project becomes "code assessable" and a Development Application will need to be lodged. This means months of waiting and thousands in additional costs. Stay within these simple guidelines and you can obtain Secondary Dwelling Code approval via a Private Certifier – meaning no council delays, faster approvals, and money saved. The best part? We've already decoded this process for you. Ready to build your Granny Flat smarter, not harder? Contact us today and discover how our proven process can get your project approved quickly and built to the highest standards. Let us help turn your vision into reality!

Client Spotlight: Watch This Granny Flat Rise in Just Seconds!

By Krystle Barnett • May 11, 2025

Discover how one family’s backyard vision came to life with a quick custom granny flat by BCC Homes, crafted with care to suit their growing lifestyle. Read on!

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By Krystle Barnett • March 13, 2025

Granny Flat investments offer strong market value. Learn how BCC Homes helps investors build wealth with high-yield, well-designed rental properties!

By Krystle Barnett • February 11, 2025

Learn how to assess your property for a granny flat by checking zoning, services, and bushfire-prone areas. Stay compliant and build with confidence. Read on!