By Everyone wants to retire in style and comfort. When you are getting on in age, there are lots of factors that come into play when thinking about living arrangements. Medical conditions are often the most important to consider.
A granny flat is a specialised house built on a large property, typically for family members. It is one of the best ways you can provide for your parents or other aging family members. This kind of property allows them freedom of mobility and the luxury of privacy.
Here is some advice on how to put together the perfect granny flat.
Assess Space
The first thing you will need to do before you start planning your granny flat is to determine how much space you want to allocate to build the flat. This is a critical step as it will dictate pretty much every other aspect.
Consider as well the need for larger doors, walkways and rooms as they will need to accommodate the usage of walkers, mobility scooters and the like. They may not be required not but think and plan for the future now. This will make the build more cost-effective in the long run.
Freestanding or Attached
There are two primary choices for your granny flat: Freestanding or attached. A freestanding house will provide extra privacy and freedom but less connectivity.
This option allows for other uses, such as to rent out or house visiting relatives. A granny flat is a lovely luxury to have for accommodating visitors.
Meanwhile, an attached extension to the house gives you quick and easy access to the granny flat. It can also act as an extra wing to your home that can be filled by your children later on.
This decision should be made early on and cannot be changed. Consider that construction may disrupt your daily routine, take this into account before embarking on your build.
List Requirements
Before sketching out the perfect layout, you should list down the requirements you want for the property and all principal rooms.
For a bare-bones project, a couple of bedrooms with a living room, bath and kitchen would suffice. However, you can also add to the luxury aspect by building a space for recreation as well. Knowing what you want specifically can help you design the perfect granny flat.
Check Local Regulations
To make sure that the construction of your granny flat goes flawlessly is check the local council regulations for such projects. Make sure all the necessary paperwork and permits are obtained and completed.
Be ahead of the game. You do not want construction to be delayed because of a sudden conflict with the local council. Know your legal requirements are completed before embarking on the build.
Funding
Getting a granny flat built will require a lot of funding. That said, to maintain a smooth workflow, you should determine a budget for its construction and obtain proper financing.
Look through your options of the best way to fund the project. Shop around for the most convenient option for you. You may need to get a loan to finance such a project adequately.
Stay Flexible
The best way to get your granny flat up and running as soon as possible is by keeping an open mind. Always be flexible in your wants and needs for the project. Things may have to change depending on planning permission granted and who you get to do the build.
Being too set in your vision can unintendedly prolong or even stall the project. In short, you should always be willing to compromise and seek advice from professionals when constructing a granny flat.
