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.

While we aim to avoid council approvals where possible, we understand that sometimes you don't want to compromise on your dream – and we hear you. If your build requires council approval, here are some proven ways to ensure the process is as quick and smooth as possible. Don't Cut Corners on Documentation Want a surefire way to delay your approval? Submit incomplete plans or forget a key document. We've watched families wait months because they missed one piece of paperwork. Here's what you'll typically need for a smooth approval process: Site plan, floor plans, and elevations Engineering details (structural documentation) Sewer and stormwater plans Energy efficiency report Title search and site survey Any specialist reports (bushfire, acoustic, etc.) We can help you gather all the required documentation. Don't try to navigate this alone – it's not worth the risk of delays and costly mistakes. Get Pre-Approval Advice – It's a Game Changer Did you know you can book a pre-lodgement meeting with your local council? Whether you're building in Moreton, Ipswich, Logan, or Gold Coast, this gives you the opportunity to: Ask all your burning questions Clarify complex planning rules Get early feedback on your design Build rapport with the assessment team This can be absolute gold for challenging blocks or if your design pushes boundaries. Think of it as insurance against rejection. Be Ready to Respond Quickly Sometimes the council or certifier will come back with an RFI (Request for Information). Don't panic – this is completely normal. But here's where speed makes all the difference. The faster you respond with clear, complete answers, the faster your Granny Flat approval moves through the system. Treat these requests like priority mail, because that's exactly what they are. When in Doubt, Call in the Experts If your project hits a snag, for example zoning challenges or energy efficiency overwhelm, don't try to battle it alone. We've seen too many families get months into their project only to hit a roadblock, pushing back their builds and costing them valuable time and money. We know building a Granny Flat in South-East Queensland can be confusing, which is why we created the " 21 Steps to Building a Successful Granny Flat ". It's packed with real advice from our Queensland builds, including design tips, approval checklists, and insider shortcuts that most builders won't share. This isn't some generic guide. It's based on real projects we've completed – the kind of practical advice that only comes from actually doing the work, day in and day out.