It has never been easier for NSW homeowners to build an affordable second mini home, commonly known as a granny flat on their property. Due to the high cost of living partially in Metropolitan areas like Central Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong, these trendy little homes are in high demand, filling a gap in the market by providing a lower-cost option of living.
Granny Flat popularity is growing for many reasons, however, and it has a lot to do with affordable housing options in our major cities. Since house prices are on the rise, many view granny flats as a viable option for a small family — as long as the layout and placement are right.
The good news is that even though they’re called ‘granny flats’, these are not your grandmother’s layouts.
Granny flat designs from Smart Choice Granny Flats, for example, are created with every kind of family or individual experience in mind. Our granny flat designs and floor plans can be used to support an aging parent, of course. But they can also be designed for young adult children transitioning out of the home, married adult children ‘returning to the nest’, or even tenants who are a couple with children.
The fact is that uncertainty is prevailing over our economic and housing markets right now, so there’s never been a smarter or better time to opt for granny flats.
Before you get started with any granny flat design and build, you need to have somewhat of an idea of who this space is supposed to be serving. The fact is that the age, lifestyle, and preferences of certain groups differ. For example, an older or aging person’s priority and concern might be all about accessibility or having a nice garden outdoors.
On the other hand, a younger person may care more about entertaining or having enough common area space rather than a private bedroom space. A couple might need a garage because they have a child. You’ll need to keep these details in mind when you’re viewing granny flat designs.
No matter which granny flat design you choose, you can of course get creative and make the rooms and space work for the occupant’s needs. However, it’s easier to scale down and reuse than add rooms.
For example, you might opt for a larger granny flat design that includes a garage because you plan to have a tenant. However, once that tenant moves out, your aging in-laws or parents can move in and you can convert the garage space into something that suits their preferences.
Once you know who you’re building for, it’s time to check your property. Make sure that the orientation and placement of your proposed granny flat design:
In New South Wales, boundary regulations are very clear. These include the following:
Also, keep in mind that the size of your lot determines how much space you actually have to play with and which granny flat design you can opt for.
And, finally, you may want to consider additional insulation or soundproofing for the interiors of your granny flat. Smart Choice Granny Flats relies on a number of high-quality suppliers for quality inclusions such as these. However, if you’re building your own granny flat, make sure to think about building materials that will keep indoor noise projecting outwards to a minimum.
With over 400 granny flats already built across NSW, Smart Choice Granny Flats are the industry leader for granny flat designs. Our high-quality work and craftsmanship are just as detail-oriented as our design and build process. We work hard to ensure that our clients receive their exact vision on time and on budget.
Imagine starting and seeing a finished granny flat on your property in just 12 weeks. Get a free quote and site inspection from the Smart Choice Granny Flats team today, or contact us to book a viewing of our display homes for some inspiration!