building Archives - Pop Up Homes

Can I Build a Granny Flat on My Property?

By VMA DEVGranny Flat, Kit Home, Pop Up Homes News, Small Home, Tiny Home

Granny flats are a rising trend in Australia. They’re compact, cosy and, some might even say, chic. But better than that, they answer that practical problem of extra space, while still being a dynamic, cost-effective and value-adding addition to your property. In fact, there are many (many) reasons why you should invest in a granny flat. But once you’ve decided that you’re ready to make that investment, it’s time to start considering the practicalities. And the first question you need to ask yourself is, ‘can I build a granny flat on my property?’

Can I Build a Granny Flat on My Property

When asking yourself, ‘can I build a granny flat on my property’ you have a number of things to consider.
1. First, will you be able to get council approval (and is it even necessary)?
2. Second, what restrictions are there on the size and placement of your granny flat, and does that work for your particular situation?
3. And third, what is your budget when it comes to building?

Can You Get Council Approval (and Is It Necessary)?

A ‘granny flat’ is simply a colloquial term for an “accessory dwelling unit”. But they’re also known as small homes, tiny homes, guest houses or mother-in-law flats. Essentially, they’re small fully-formed flats built on a piece of property that you already own, with self-contained bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. When it comes to understanding whether you can get council approval for building a granny flat on your property, and when and if it’s necessary, the answer isn’t simply a yes or no. Since it can take from 12 weeks to many months to get approvals (where they are required), it’s best to know where you stand and plan ahead.

What are the Restrictions on Size and Placement for Your Granny Flat?

Just as every area has their own regulations on building approvals, they also have their own rules governing the size and placement of your granny flat (and other things as well!). So, we’ve pulled together the general rules from some of Queensland’s most popular areas to help you answer the question, ‘can I build a granny flat on my property’. Of course, our expert team is always here to provide advice on your specific area and situation should you need it as well.

Brisbane Granny Flats

In Brisbane, you can build a secondary dwelling, like a granny flat, without any approvals at all as long as it’s a maximum of 80sqm, is being built for a member of your household and is less than 20 metres from your main dwelling. That’s a fantastic result, and makes it easy to add a granny flat to your property. On the other hand, you might want a slightly bigger space or want to build it further from your main home. In that case you will need to lodge a development application (DA). You will also need to lodge a DA if you plan on renting the flat to someone who is not part of your household.

You can read more about building granny flats in Brisbane on the Brisbane City Council website.

Contact Us About a Brisbane Granny Flat

Gold Coast Granny Flats

Unlike Brisbane, all granny flats built on the Gold Coast will require building approval from the council. This can be organised through a private certifier. You might also need a DA if your property is not in a residential zone. You can read more about building granny flats in the Gold Coast on the City of Gold Coast website.

Contact Us About a Gold Coast Granny Flat

Sunshine Coast Granny Flats

When asking yourself, can I build a granny flat on my property in the Sunshine Coast, you have to consider where it will be located. As of 2019, your granny flat must be designed and constructed so that is has an “association” with the primary home or dwelling on your property. In most areas, it also can’t exceed 90sqm in a rural or rural-residential zone, or 60sqm in any other zone (though this can be different in certain local areas). As with any granny flat, it’s important to speak to an expert before beginning to build on your Sunshine Coast property. You can read more about building granny flats in the Sunshine Coast on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

Contact Us About a Sunshine Coast Granny Flat

Logan City Granny Flats

In Logan, you can build a secondary, self-contained dwelling, or granny flat, as long as it’s 70sqm, in a residential zone and on a lot that is less than 1000sqm. If you have a lot that is bigger than 1000sqm then you can have a granny flat is that is a generous 100sqm. There are other requirements as well, including the rule that the secondary dwelling must only be occupied by persons who are in your same household. And it must be located beside, behind, below or above an existing or new dwelling.

You can read more about building granny flats in the Logan area on the City of Logan website.

Contact Us About a Sunshine Coast Granny Flat

Cairns Granny Flats

Cairns is a beautiful city and the Cairns city council also welcomes granny flats. Their rules are split into rural and non-rural as well. In rural areas, your secondary dwelling must be limited to 250sqm, while it’s 70sqm in all other zones.

You can read more about building granny flats in the Cairns area on the Cairns Building Plans.

Contact Us About a Cairns Granny Flat

Other Queensland Areas

f you live in another area in Queensland, we’ve got information for you on our Council Rules and Regulations page. Or, if you’re unsure on your local requirements around building a granny flat, always ask your local council or private certifier and builder. Or give our team of experts a call. We’re always happy to help!

What is Your Budget for Your Granny Flat?

Last, but definitely not least, you’ll want to consider your budget for building a granny flat on your property. While you might technically be able to do it (under the rules and regulations of your area), if it doesn’t make financial sense, and won’t be adding value to your property, it’s probably best to give it a pass. Just like with any home, the more features you add to your granny flat, the higher the cost will be to build it, but the more value you could potentially be adding. It’s best to consider what you are looking for, and what you have available to spend. Then speak to an expert about whether that’s a viable option in terms of financing and whether that will give you the outcomes you need.

Benefits of a Granny Flat

From bringing loved ones closer to getting more privacy yourself, from saving money to possibly earning an income, granny flats bring you lots of benefits. If you’re asking yourself, can I build a granny flat on my property, get in touch with our team today. We’re here to help you understand all your options.

September 16, 2021

Pop Up homes Advantages and Benefits

By VMA DEVGranny Flat, Kit Home, Small Home, Tiny Home

A Pop Up Home can be an affordable instant source of extra income; a clever downsizing option; comfortable accommodation for adult children or elderly parents; or a convenient home office, while increasing the total value of your property.

Adding a Pop Up Home investment not only increases the value of a property but also provides positive rental returns. Retirees are now opting to downsize into a Pop Up Home leaving their larger home to rent out or for their children to live in.

A Pop Up Home is an ideal solution for young singles to have their own space while allowing them to save to buy their own home. It has all the workspace they need with the convenience and cost savings of being just meters from home.

The Keppel 37 SQM 1 Bedroom

The team from Pop Up Homes, will sit down with you and discuss your requirements and help design your floor plan and achieve your goals.

Pop Up Homes will also help with your council approvals and certification as part of an affordable service that Pop Up Homes provide to customers.

All Pop Up Homes include:

Double glazed aluminium windows with flyscreens
Double Glazed aluminium casement door with glass panel
Quality PVC floor covering throughout
Lights, power points, power board and safety switch
Plumbing and Sanitary fittings
Photoelectric hard wired smoke detectors as per Australian Standards

All Pop Up Homes Kitchens include:

Gloss cabinets and drawers
Polished stone Benchtops
Double stainless steel sink & flick mixer

All Pop Up Homes Bathrooms include:

900 x 900 Shower cubicle
Toilet suite
Vanity cabinet with basin and flick mixer
Mirrored shaving cabinet
Towel rails

For more information on Pop Up Homes, please call for more information on:1300 121 556

Would you like to know more about council regulations?

Click Here – Secondary Dwellings Granny Fats And Council Rules And Regulations

April 27, 2020

ANZAC Day

By VMA DEVMiscellaneous

ANZAC day is fast approaching. On the 25 of April is one of Australia’s most important national occasions.

For the first time in Australia’s history, due to the COVID-19 restrictions our communities will not be able to pay our respects to the ANZAC spirit in public.

However, this does not mean we can’t show our respects in the safety of our homes.

The team at Pop Up Homes will be doing a “light up the dawn on ANZAC day”.

You can too; simply stand at the end of your driveway, balcony or living room at 6 am on Saturday the 25th of April and play a digital recording of the dawn service.

Go to Light Up the dawn webpage here and there will be a button on the page that says, “PLAY YOUR SERVICE HERE”.

This will play a digital recorded service:

• Acknowledgement of country

• The Ode – RSL Queensland president Tony Ferris

• The last Post

• A minute’s silence

• Reveille

• The National Anthem

On behalf of the Pop Up Homes team, we thank our ANZACS and military services for everything they have done for us

Lest We Forget

ANZAC monuments in park — ANZAC 25th of April 2020

April 24, 2020

Pop Up Homes Add - The value of asking questions

Questions to ask when buying a prefabricated building

By VMA DEVGranny Flat, Kit Home, Small Home, Tiny Home

Recently, Pop Up Homes has received a few emails from the public requesting our opinion in relation to a building project they are undertaking. In most cases, they have bought pre-fabricated houses from companies that claim are similar to a Pop Up Home but in actual fact, entirely different. Consequently, now have been left with homes that are unhabitable, non-certifiable and non-compliant with the Australian/New Zealand building standards.

If your house is non-compliant to Australian/New Zealand standards and can’t provide engineering and certification, your prefabricated home will be deemed unliveable, and the council will ask you to remove the dwelling at your cost. By this time, you will have already invested significant funds that in most cases, won’t be recoverable.

The purpose of this article is to inform readers about the seriousness of asking questions before buying and building a home. These simple “must ask” questions apply to many aspects of the building industry whether you are buying prefabricated buildings, modular buildings, conventional building and granny flats. Ensure you ask these questions before you commit to purchasing, they are designed to provide you, the buyer, with peace-of-mind.

Ask these questions when enquiring on Buying or building a pre-fabricated building

Is this a class 1A dwelling?
Have you had any issues getting the home certified?
Can they be certified in QLD?
Do you have any customer testimonials I can read?
Does your prefabricated and modular home come with a form 15 engineers design certificate? this is required for council approval and reassures you that it is structurally sound.
Does your plumbing for waste and sewerage conform to Australian standards and does your plumber use DWV pipe?
Does your prefabricated and modular home come with hard-wired smoke detectors? can you supply form 16 for this? this will be required for certification.
Do your prefabricated and modular homes come with Australian certified windows, do they also come with a form 15 and form 16 for design and installation?
Do you have a prefabricated or modular display home that we can view?
Can we view your certification for your display home?
Are the ceilings in the prefabricated home or modular home at least 2400mm high? They need to be, for it to be a habitable building in Australia.
Have you been informed, that there is no requirement for a laundry to be installed for a granny flat?
Does your prefabricated or modular home come with a warranty? Can I see a copy of your warranty?
Is your certification cost inclusive to the quote?
Does your prefabricated or modular home require stumps or foundation?
Does your prefabricated or modular home stumps/foundation come with form 15-16 design and installation certificates?

established Pop Up home to lock up stage — The Keppel 1 bedroom

Always be wary

Always be wary when purchasing a pre-fabricated building, modular home or granny flat, make sure what you plan on purchasing is exactly what was advertised from the builder.

Asking these easy set of questions will alleviate stress, uncertainty and doubt from your mind. It will ensure that what you’re buying is exactly what you have seen as advertised.

As I have always said to myself “if it’s too good to be true, then it isn’t”

The team at Pop Up Homes is very experienced when it comes to the build process and requirements. Not only can we answer all questions as mentioned above, but we can also provide evidence of certification, testimonials, video reviews from customers as well as warranty and forms 15, 16 and 21. We also have a display home right here in Hervey Bay, Urangan to come and have a look though.

Pop Up Homes exists to provide excellent customer service, an affordable housing solution and the very best experience possible. Pop Up Homes will assist you in every way we can to save you cost without sacrificing quality.

Please watch this TV interview with Shan, our Managing Director of Pop Up Homes and Channel 7 news for more information about being careful when purchasing prefabricated and modular buildings.

Click Home button below:

https://popuphomes.com.au/

Channel & interview

For more information

If you would like to know more about our homes, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our web page www.popuphomes.com.au or alternatively, you can call our toll free number on 1300 121 556.

Are you interested in what Pop Up Homes has to offer? Please click through to our Granny Flats Page to find out more.

Would you like to look at customers reviews or to see what our Pop Up Homes are all about? you can check our Facebook page for more information, or you can Google search “Pop Up Homes”

April 6, 2020

various delivery stages of a Pop Up Home

Granny Flats becoming more popular over building a conventional house

By VMA DEVFinance, Granny Flat, Kit Home, Small Home, Tiny Home

Adding value to your property can be as easy as putting a granny flat in your back yard. In our largest capitals around Australia, they have the potential for over 500,000 properties to have granny flats built in their yard.

Source: Core Logic

What is a granny flat?

A granny flat is a small self-contained living area built on the grounds of an existing family home. They are also known as a secondary dwellings and accessory dwelling units. They were named from the original purpose they initially served. Traditionally families would use these dwellings to accommodate their aging parents or grandparents. By adding a granny flat, helped keep the family together while giving everyone much-needed privacy. By adding a granny flat was a much more affordable alternative to aged care homes and facilities.

Granny flat costs?

There are two ways to build a granny flat. One is buying a kit home; kit homes generally offer two bedrooms, a kitchen and toilet area and can roughly cost around $50,000. Keep in mind that a kit home may have other costs involved, for example, the cost of labour to build your kit home and the services of a plumber and electrician to get your kit home connected to existing power, water and waste as well as the cost of getting your kit home certified through council.

A conventional built granny flat

Can cost around $120,000 – $200,000 which typically includes the electrician, plumber and other services required to build a granny flat. It’s a smaller expense compared to building a conventional home, but according to CoreLogic/Archistar modelling, it has the potential to boost the value of your existing dwelling by 30%. For example, adding a granny flat to a $500,000 property could see it’s market value rise to $650,000 it is a significant return on investment.

Source: Core Logic

How can I finance my granny flat?

There are 2 common ways to finance your granny flat. As Alex Ritchie has said in her report.

1. Redraw on your mortgage:

If you have made extra payments on your mortgage and have a redraw facility, you can access the extra money you have paid and use it to finance your renovations. This can be a competitive option if you want to avoid the hassle of additional debt, such as putting your renovation on a credit card or taking out a personal loan. However, keep in mind that you will lose the benefit of reduced interest charges on your mortgage because your loan balance will go up. Some lenders will limit the amount and frequency of redraws, as well as charge fees to deposit and withdraw.

If you want to take the redraw route, but your home loan does not offer this feature, you may want to consider refinancing to a home loan that allows this. The issue would then be waiting a few more years to build your granny flat after you’ve made enough additional payments to fund this project.

Pros

· Access cash without taking on new debt

· Easier and faster than applying for a new loan

Cons

· No longer reducing your mortgage interest

· Can be fees or limitations associated

2.Personal loan for renovation:

If you don’t have the funds upfront, you may consider taking out a personal loan for renovation.

A personal loan may allow you to take advantage of flexible features – such as the ability to make extra repayments, choose between a fixed or variable rate and choose between a secured or unsecured the loan. Personal loan terms are also much shorter than that of home loans, although interest rates may be much higher.

If you were thinking of putting your granny flat costs on plastic, keep in mind that personal loans carry lower interest rates than credit cards. The average personal loan rate on RateCity’s database sits at just over 12.14 per cent, while the average credit card rate is 16.82 per cent.

There can be a range of ongoing fees associated with a personal loan, such as annual fees. Consider researching different types of loans and compare some that you think maybe the best fit for your financial needs and budget before making a final choice.

Pros

· Flexible features

· Fixed term to pay off loan

· Lower interest rate than credit cards

Cons

· Potential fees

· Higher interest rate than home loans on average

· Can add to existing debt

Source: – Alex Ritchie – Rate City

Around Australia a revolution is taking place

The humble granny flat is becoming more and more of a trend, why you might ask?

It has the potential to not only increase your property value but also has the potential for excellent source of steady income either by long term renting, Airbnb, storage areas, a backyard gym or home office and many other investment ideas. The family benefits of a granny flat can’t be overlooked either, whether that’s giving your adult children more privacy while they are saving for a mortgage to move into their own home, keeping loved ones close as they become more reliant on care or if you have family visiting from overseas it’s a great way to give them the space and privacy they need.

Building Granny flats

Not only helps with your investment but helps with the ever-increasing Problem of ‘’affordable housing’’ for those that cannot afford to get into the housing market or rent due to increasing cost of renting a dwelling, they finally have the opportunity to rent their own home in an area that they so choose, that’s otherwise too expensive to buy land and build a house

There are also greater potential benefits that building a granny flat could bring to the Australian economy. If every one of the eligible 500,000 plus residence of Australia decided to put granny flats in their backyard, the construction industry in Australian could see more than $6 billion invested back into the industry and country, that’s a huge cash injection. Not only can it be beneficial to builders, but it creates jobs for electricians’ plumbers and other professionals in the building industry.

Source: Core Logic

What are the limits to building a granny flat

When it comes to adding a granny flat to your backyard, there can be some limitations, The rules about whether you can build a granny flat may vary from state to state and even between councils. The major key factor in whether you can build a granny flat on your property is the size of your block, in Queensland, for instance, you will need a minimum of 450 square metres for a small lot, or rear lot less than 600 square metres, excluding the access way. If you would like to know more about your council rules and regulations on granny flats, click this link from Pop Up Homes to find out more.

Pop Up Homes is your solution

For an affordable granny flat, not only for investment purposes to increase the value of your property but for your parents, grandparent and adult children that are wanting to live closer to their family or saving for their first home, while providing that privacy that we all need. We offer 2 sizes;- 37 square metre and a 58 square metre with 4 different styles.

The Keppel is a 37 square metre 1-bedroom Pop Up Home.
The Fraser is a 58 square metre 2-bedroom Pop Up Home.
The Fraser 58 square metre 2-bedroom Pop Up Home with a study Pop Up home.
The Moreton is a 58 square metre 3-bedroom Pop Up Home.

Not only are Pop Up Homes affordable but we offer stress-free packages that includes;

Planning at a low cost.
QBCC home warranty insurance.
Engineering form 15.
Installation of your Pop Up Home.
Supply and install footings.

Our Pop Up Home specialists deal with the certification process for you and deal with the council, so you don’t have too!

All our Pop Up Homes are thoughtfully designed and engineered in Australia while maintaining the affordability that most other granny flat builders can’t provide.

Why choose a Pop Up Home as an investment for your property?

A Pop Up Homes “Granny Flat”, is a great investment and is worth considering due to the reasonably low costs and relatively high yields/returns, especially when compared to traditional investment properties. With 4 styles of granny flats on offer, there is an option for a wide range of investors and owner-occupiers. Summarised below are the potential returns and costs.

*Please note that these costs are approximate and assume that the “Granny Flat” is put on land that you as the investor currently own, hence the costs exclude the cost of land.

The Fraser – 2 bedroom Total Cost $ 72,560

Permanent Rental in Brisbane / Gold Coast $ 380.00 per week for say 50 weeks = $19,000 (Gross Yield 26%)

AIR BNB Rental in Brisbane / Gold Coast $ 150 per night for say 300 nights p.a. = $45,000 (Gross Yield 62%)

The Fraser- 2 bedroom with study Total Cost $ 73,560

Permanent Rental in Brisbane / Gold Coast $ 390.00 per week for say 50 weeks = $19,500 (Gross Yield 26.50%)

AIR BNB Rental in Brisbane / Gold Coast $ 150 per night for say 300 nights p.a. = $45,000 (Gross Yield 61%)

The Moreton 3 bedroom Total Cost $74,560

Permanent Rental in Brisbane / Gold Coast $ 390.00 per week for say 50 weeks = $19,500 (Gross Yield 26%)

AIR BNB Rental in Brisbane / Gold Coast $ 160 per night for say 300 nights p.a. = $48,000 (Gross Yield 64.3%)

Source: Superior Accounting Group

Advice is general in nature, please consult your accountant and lawyer to see if it suits your own personal situation before proceeding.

At Pop Up Homes, we love what we do, and we love our customers even more. Have a read of customers reviews here and give us a call to answer any questions about a Pop Up Home granny flat.

Facebook Reviews

Testimonials

Google Reviews

Sources: Core Logic / Rate City

November 12, 2019