Tips for building a granny flat

Last Updated: October 26, 2025Categories: Home buildingBy 2.8 min read

Having a well-constructed granny flat does have its fair share of advantages. Not only does it increase the overall value of your home, it can also serve as an extra room to accommodate your guests and loved ones. So, what is a granny flat exactly? Well, in a nutshell, it can simply be referred to as a secondary separate dwelling that features its own entrance, kitchen, bedroom, and living space. If you are looking for tips to build a granny flat, you have come to the right place.
granny flat in the backyard

Without further ado, here are a few essential tips to building a granny flat.

Obtaining license

First and foremost, before starting your project, it is of paramount importance for you to contact the local council and identify what you can and can’t do. It is important for you to identify how many square feet you require, what frontage is needed, the zoning, and whether it is legally possible for you to set up a granny flats in your premises. After all, you wouldn’t want to face a surprise rejection while you are halfway through with the completion of your project now, would you? Basically, you need to obtain a Development Approval to get your project started.

Select your design

Now, after you get your approval, you need to select a layout and design for your granny flat. If you hire the services of builders, you will know that they have custom design teams willing to help design your dream layout. It is necessary for you to be certain about a particular design before the commencement of the project. You wouldn’t want to spend extra money making changes now, would you?

Why don’t you attempt to connect the indoors to the outdoors?

If you want to add living space to your granny flat, it is a good idea to connect the indoors to the outdoors. So, how can you do that? Well, in order to do that, you only need to install an extended porch and add furniture such as tables and chairs. The tenants can easily dine and have their meals in the extra space. You can also install large windows in your granny flat to add the connection between the indoors and the outdoors.

porch swing in the granny flat

How can you make the flat spacious?

If you are looking to make your granny flat appear large and spacious, it is a good idea to place two thick mirrors directly opposite one another. The reflections provide depth, giving the impression that the flat is bigger than it really is. For storage, you can build wall mounted shelves on the space away from the floor.

Getting professional help

If you don’t have time on your hands to deal with paperwork and go through the process of obtaining approval, you can simply hire the services of firms that offer cooperative services in addition to design and construction services. These firms ensure that you don’t face implications and surprises that can prevent you from setting up a granny flat while you are halfway through the completion of your project. If you want to learn more about house building you can check our list of Most important things when building a house.



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About the author – John Barnes

John Barnes - author at Handyman tipsHandyman tips website was created by John Barnes from Phoenix, Arizona, in February 2014. John wanted to share with the public his 20 year experience in home improvement as a contractor and avid woodworker. John noticed that there aren’t many expert advice online and he wanted to help the public to get true expert tips and estimates. What started as a hobby soon became a full time job as Handyman tips website became very popular because of the quality of tips it provides. After a few years John has introduces a couple of new content creators into Handyman tips team but he is still the main content creator on Handyman tips website.

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