How Long Does It Take to Build a Granny Flat

A granny flat can add significant value, versatility, and functionality to your property. Whether you are looking to add space practically for your extended family living situation, a discreet space to have the abode, or an opportunity for rental income, understanding how long it will take to get constructed is valuable. Meaning that if you have a comprehension of how long the building process will take, you can manage your budget, living arrangements, and timelines for when it will be constructed.  

What Impacts Granny Flat Build Timeframes? 

Build times of your granny flat entirely depend on multiple factors. Initially, we need to consider the complexity of the build. In general, the more basic the build (a compact unit, for example, with as few internal walls as possible), the less time it will typically take to build than an expansive build with multiple rooms, complex/customised detailing, or a bespoke architectural granny flat. The other component is size. The larger the building works, the more time it is likely to take to build, particularly in relation to the framing, finishing, inspections, and so on.

The third area is site preparation. This is subject to site conditions and can be a significant factor affecting timeframes. If it is a flat, clear block, then there is a rapid turnaround to get started; however, if it is a site that slopes, needs to be excavated, or is difficult to access, these can be factors affecting the timeframe.

The fourth consideration is weather. Occasionally, heavy rainfall or extreme hot weather can impact your building timeframe. 

Then there is the factor of council approvals. Approval times can vary from council to council; however, planning permits & building permits typically can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.

Knowing these factors in advance will assist you in managing expectations for the whole project.

In relation to how long a granny flat typically takes to be built, here is the breakdown of the key stages of a build.

1. Pre-Construction Stage – 2-4 weeks 

Prior to a first or any tool being on site, there are a number of administrative start-up and preparation stages that need to occur:

Design Planning: Working with your granny flat supplier or designer to finalise (confirm) the floor plans, elevations, inclusions, and external finishes.

Permissions and Approvals: Typically, the preparation of applications for local government or private building surveyors can be a time-consuming process based on design and area-local guidelines. 

Site Prep: Remove plants and/or existing structures and get the site ready for the footings or slab. 

This is particularly easy for the builders with a more structured design service (like Premier Homes), like most builders, they provide consultation appointments, experts, and lodge the relevant documents, but they perform the first phase of the work for the homeowner.

2. Foundations and Framing (2-3 weeks) 

This is where the physical construction starts: 

Foundation Works: Depending on your design, footings or slabs will be installed. 

Framing: This is the stage where the wall and roof structure are established, which makes the shell of your granny flat. 

Once the frame has been put together, we begin to see the shape of the housing, which will relate to the timeframe much better. 

3. Rough-In Stage (2-4 weeks) 

A number of significant internal structures that are completed: 

• Plumbing rough-in 
• Electrical wiring and heating and cooling systems (if presented in design). 

Internal infrastructure is important to ensure the systems work effectively in the future, and inspections may take place before the next stage of work can occur.

4. Outer Work and Internal Finishes (3-5 weeks) 

This phase entails a lot of finishing work: 

• Out Finishing: Cladding, roofing, windows, external doors. 
• Internal Finishing: plasterboard, painting, floors, cupboards and benchtops/fittings, bathrooms and kitchens to be installed. During this time, we will quickly see spaces transformed from empty shells to a functional living space. 

5. Before you take possession of your granny flat, the builder have a few things that they have to accomplish:

• Inspections (plumbing, electrical and structural) to ensure compliance.
• Perform a quality inspection.
• Items identified on the snagging list (your builder may be able to complete a few minor repairs, adjustments, and/or finishing touches). 

Once both the compliance inspection and the quality inspection have taken place, your granny flat will be ready for you to move in! 

Tips to ensure you stick to building schedules

If you implement this advice and are mindful of the following, your assistance will help avoid delays and keep the project on track. 

• Plan Early.
  • The sooner you are able to initiate your design and permit discussion, the better.

• Stay Flexible.
  • Weather delays and sometimes the challenges of accessing supplies in the end can delay finishing your granny flat.

• Communicate with your builder.
  • Ask for regular updates and clarifications to continue planning and to avoid miscommunication, which can be costly. Selecting a Qualified Granny Flat Builder

If you want to minimise the timeframe of designing and constructing a granny flat, then selecting a builder that has experience and a defined process will significantly shorten the timeline.

In the case of Premier Homes, the best strategy for minimising the overall time it takes to design and build a granny flat is truly working with a builder that has a defined process and experience. From the time you select a builder until the time you are moving into your granny flat, your experience with that builder should be consistent.

At Premier Homes, we have a full turnkey process, which makes sure you don’t have to guess when you choose us. We are there every step of the way, orchestrating a smooth process throughout.

Premier Homes Design Process

• Consultation with you to bounce ideas back and forth.
• Recommendations and bespoke home design to suit your block of land.
• Support and assistance with all council-related documentation and requirements.
• Innovation during the design process so that value can be built around accessible (aged) living to lifestyle.
• Select Premier Homes to design your granny flat design (and build), and their experienced team will be there at every stage of the project to offer information and advice to make sure your granny flat is designed for your site, your budget, and your long-term goals.

Premier Homes Build Process

• Construction in a factory (controlled) environment to ensure quality and consistency during builds
• Assembly of the granny flat on site (as a prefabricated product) for efficiency
• Clear timelines and a sustainable impact on your whole family home
• Strong, durable builds with accredited and skilled trades.

Build the Granny Flat of your Dreams with Premier Homes

If you want to have peace of mind about the timeline of how long the granny flat build process will take while also instilling confidence from a team that you have employed that can design and build a high-quality, aesthetically appealing granny flat, look no further than Premier Homes.

With 20+ years of experience in granny flat project management, a well-defined design and build process, and all the intellectual capital of what works in Victoria. Premier Homes will make sure the entire experience, from the planning process to handover, is as seamless as possible.

Visit Premier Homes website today to view designs, finished builds and to get the planning process started for your own granny flat design. The team at Premier Homes will meet your granny flat requirement of function, style, and most importantly, longevity while answering all of your questions back to you promptly during the process.