How to Build a Granny Flat?
There are now more than 30,000 granny flats or annexes in England in Wales – an increase of 39% in just two years.
With the rising cost of residential care, a granny flat can become a useful bridge between living completely independently and moving into a care home at a cost of over £1000 per person per week. And since the government removed the requirement to pay additional council tax on an annex occupied by elderly relatives, it makes even more financial sense.
There are other benefits to the extended family, allowing several generations to get to know each other better.
But there has to be a balance between shared space and private space for a granny flat to work well – both parts of the family need to have a place they can call their own.
Planning how to incorporate room for a relative – so to build a granny flat into your existing home can be tricky, and you will find that calling in an expert will help. Judging where existing space can be adapted, and where extending your home will be necessary can be a juggling act. Often this can be done within Permitted Development guidelines, so you may not need planning permission.
At Alan J Currall Architectural Services, we have many years’ experience in how to design new space within and in addition to existing homes. We can also provide advice on a number of other considerations such as:
- Independent access and access points into your main home, to help you balance the need for privacy and independence with the ability to help in a crisis
- Accessibility where mobility is or is likely to become an issue
- Wet rooms can be very useful for elderly residents, especially where carers are in place to assist your relative
- Emergency intercoms can reduce the worry of how your relative can cope in an emergency
If you’re thinking about how to build a granny flat at your property, call Alan J Currall Architectural Services for a free, no-obligation chat about your options on 01536 393505.