How a granny flat build works, from first look to keys

1. Site check

Someone walks your section. They are looking at where the flat can sit (at least 2m from boundaries and the house), how a truck gets in, where the water, wastewater and power connections are, whether the ground slopes, and whether council hazard maps flag anything. This is the step that decides which design suits and what the real cost is. It should be free.

2. One price, in writing

A proper quote covers the home itself, delivery, foundations, the build, connecting the services, the PIM and paperwork, and any council development contributions. If a quote does not list those, ask what is missing. Under the Building Act, residential work over $30,000 needs a written contract and a disclosure statement from the builder.

3. Design and PIM

A licensed designer prepares the plans. You, or we on your behalf, apply to council for a project information memorandum with the preliminary plans. Council has 20 working days to issue it. Nothing can start on site until it does.

4. Manufacture

For a kitset, the panels, framing, joinery and fit out are made in the factory while the PIM is being processed and the site is prepared. This overlap is why a kitset is faster than a conventional build.

5. Foundations and services

Foundations go in, and the plumber, drainlayer and electrician run the connections to the network. All three must be registered tradespeople, and each provides a record of work or certificate at the end.

6. Build

The kit is assembled on site by, or under the supervision of, a Licensed Building Practitioner. Structure and weatherproofing are restricted building work and cannot legally be done by an unlicensed person, including you. A kitset of this size is usually set up in about a week on site, not months.

7. Handover and paperwork

You get the keys and the document pack: final plans, records of work, certificate of work from the designer, and the electrical and gas certificates. Within 20 working days of finishing, that pack goes to council along with any development contributions. Council files it. There is no inspection and no code compliance certificate for exempt work, so this pack is your proof of a compliant build for insurance, lending and resale.

Timeframes depend on council processing, the site and the season. We give you a written schedule with the quote and update it if anything moves.