You'll be surprised where you can fit a granny flat - even on smaller blocks.
July 23, 2024
‘I want to build a granny flat, but I’m not sure we can fit one on our property.’ If I had a dollar....
Building a granny flat
is an easy and affordable way to create extra rooms, generate income, or house mum and dad, and with few barriers to entry. Yet some people fail to go to the next step because they don’t realise the potential their backyard has to offer.
Considering some of the more challenging blocks we’ve inspected and built on, it is so rare that we have been unable to provide a solution to clients that suits their block and budget simultaneously. This blog post highlights some of the more intricate spaces we have had to overcome to provide a solution for our clients.
Our first-ever granny flat was built over an existing shed concrete slab where the floorplan was custom-designed to work with the slab and maintain a 900mm distance between the granny flat and the main house, from eave to eave at the closest point - this is as close as you can build between the two dwellings under the Gold Coast City Council secondary dwelling code. The challenges to overcome here were getting a floor plan that provided enough distance between the two homes while incorporating the existing slab and orientating the granny flat to give each respective home sufficient privacy. However, this is exactly what we achieved, and the clients couldn't be happier (just watch their testimonial on our website)!
By comparison, another job we have recently started in Miami is on a block of only 400m2 yet, we have managed to build a 74m2 granny flat there. The site certainly wasn’t ‘ideal’ to build a secondary dwelling on as it has all the nightmare features that make building homes a real 'head-scratcher'; an electrical board dating back to the 50s, overhead powerlines, 980mm access down one side for all machines and materials to access the site. The site is a street back from the beach, so the site was basically sand, which required 15 screw piers at 2.8m deep (on average). Nonetheless, we carry on making magic!
As I write this, I’ve just finished selecting fixtures and fittings for another client about to start building a granny flat on top of an existing garage! After meeting with the clients for the first time earlier this year, there was nowhere suitable for a granny flat on the almost 700m2 block, when Sam decided that the only way was up. The challenges presented here started with trying to configure a one-bedroom design (not a studio), with a bathroom, laundry, and full kitchen around the footprint of a 36m2 garage. With some incredible foresight from our drafty, client, engineer, and Sam a solution was born – we even got an 8m2 deck and large bedroom cantilevered off the existing structure. We look forward to showcasing this one our social channels and webpage soon – watch this space.
So if you have been considering building a granny flat, but are unsure about your property, don’t hesitate to book a discovery call to see how we can help - https://calendly.com/bcchomes
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!
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