Do I need to have a design in mind prior to finding a Granny Flat Builder?

Building a Granny Flat can be an exciting venture for many of us, however, the first steps to getting the new Granny Flat of your dreams can be a little tricky to navigate. Questions like what do I want from my Granny Flat? How do I find the right Builder? and do I decide on a design or a builder first? can create uncertainty on where to begin.

One of the most common questions people have is Do I need to have a design in mind prior to finding a Granny Flat Builder? While having a Granny Flat design in mind before finding the right builder is perfectly fine and may actually help you to choose the right builder for you, it is not essential.

In some ways, it can actually be favourable not to have a specific design in mind for your new Granny Flat. The reason for this is that your Granny Flat design will be specifically influenced by the size and shape of the land it will be built on. Factors such as the existing dwelling (Primary Dwelling), boundary lines, easements and mains connections will also play a role in the design of your new Granny Flat.

A good builder who specialises in building Granny Flats will be able to determine the best Granny Flat design for you, based on the factors above, as well as from your personal tastes and requirements. Most Granny Flat Builders will have standard designs for you to choose from and some may even have display villages for you to walk through.

While not all Granny Flat builders offer custom design, most will have a varied selection of standard designs available that will most likely have modification options. If you are really stuck on the right Granny Flat design for you and your build site, a Custom Granny Flat Builder will be the ideal choice for you. A Custom Granny Flat Builder will have the flexibility and know-how to design the perfect Granny Flat around you and your life. Through one-on-one discussion with you, they will be able to determine exactly what it is you are looking for in a Granny Flat and create a design that reflects that, as well as working within your budget and the unique nature of your build site.

While you may find it difficult to visualise a specific design for your new Granny Flat, you will almost certainly have preferences for things like the bathroom, kitchen and living areas. You may have needs that relate to a physical or medical condition that need to be accommodated in the design of your Granny Flat, such as ramp access, wider doorways, grab rails and specialised tapware.

By communicating your needs and preferences to your builder, they will be able to combine these elements with their knowledge of your build site and budget to create a Granny Flat design that is tailor made to suit your life.

Choosing an experienced, reputable builder who specialises in building Granny Flats gives you access to expert Granny Flat knowledge. Be sure to take advantage of this knowledge, because it will ultimately help you to make key decisions on the design and style of Granny Flat you choose. 

It is important to remember that if you spend the time and do your research to find the right builder for you, the design of your Granny Flat should be an organic process that happens through good communication and a personalised understanding of what you want (and need) from your Granny Flat.