7 Questions to Ask Your Granny Flat Builder Before Signing a Contract

If you’re thinking about getting a granny flat or a backyard bungalow built on your property, this is a big decision to make. There are many people claiming to be able to build a granny flat for you, but who should you pick? There are some simple questions you can ask that will sort the superior builders from the rest.

Superior Granny Flats have been building granny flats in Melbourne and Brisbane for over 40 years. We have a well-earned reputation for quality of work and timeliness of delivery. We always want our customers to be as informed about the process as possible so you don’t have any sneaky surprises or shocks.

This article will lay out 7 questions you should ask anyone, including us, about building a bungalow in your backyard.

1. Are you a specialist granny flat builder, and can I see your licences and insurance?

This is one of the first questions you should ask because companies that build houses and apartment blocks might also say they can build a granny flat. They would not be experienced in the compact size of a granny flat and how space optimisation works. They won’t be familiar with specific council design regulations.

You also need to know if your builder is properly licensed and accredited to build granny flats in your state. Superior Granny Flats holds registrations with the Victorian Building Authority, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, and NSW Government Fair Trading. All of our builders are fully licensed and insured, and all this documentation is available to witness upon request.

2. Is this a fixed-price contract, and what is included in the quote?

Some companies will give you a quote that is too good to believe, and then have added extras tacked on as the project progresses. You may have paid for the granny flat, but did you pay for site preparation? Was utility connection included in your initial quote?

Superior Granny Flats will give you a fully itemised quote and contract before you sign anything. It will include slab work and landscaping if needed. Our years of experience have given us insight into many potential roadblocks that can cause a financial issue, so there are rarely any surprises with us.

3. Do you handle the council approvals and permits?

It can be confusing navigating council permits and permissions. With all the paperwork, one forgotten form can delay the building for weeks at a time, which adds up to costs.

Superior Granny Flats handles all permit applications and approvals. We can answer any question about the building of your bungalow as we’ve built many before. This relieves a massive headache for you. It is such a relief to not have to do paperwork.

4. What does the price actually include and is it a turnkey quote?

Hidden costs and added extras are a huge frustration. They can really blow out your budget and make things difficult. You need to ask your builder right upfront if the quote you’ve been given covers everything, from design, permits, delivery and installation of your granny flat.

Superior Granny Flats gives you a full turnkey quote. One amount, you pay it, and when we’re done, you can open the door to your granny flat and it is ready to be lived in from day one.

5. Is everything designed and built in Australia?

Some builders cut costs by importing inferior materials or offshore components. While this can reduce costs, it also reflects in lower quality work Plus if anything needs to be reordered or replaced, you have to wait for it to be imported again.

Superior Granny Flats is proud to be 100% Australian made and family owned. Everything we use for our granny flats comes from where we are. This gives us tighter quality control and accountability on the supply chain, all the way to your home and your finished product.

6. Can I See Examples of Other Granny Flats?

A granny flat is a significant investment. You want to know that the people you’re hiring to build this have done it before, can show good quality in their builds, and that previous customers are happy. Does the builder have a showroom or display village? Are there testimonials on their website?

Superior Granny Flats have display locations in Bayswater, Victoria, and in Underwood, Queensland. You can walk through completed units and physically see and feel what it will be like in your backyard.

We also have examples of our bungalows on our website, as well as a glowing customer testimonial page for you to read.

7. Can I customise the design, or am I limited to set floor plans?

While our designs that come standard look good and function well, not all backyards are made equal. You may have a strangely angled block, or a significant tree that needs to be worked around. Can your builder accommodate these oddities? Or are you locked into what’s on their website?

Superior Granny Flats can offer you custom builds to fit your block. We will give you a free concept plan that is tailored to your block and needs. Don’t feel that you can’t have the tiny home in the back yard just because of a strangely shaped block.

The Right Builder Makes All The Difference

Building a granny flat is a wise move and a smart investment. You can have family living close by and yet maintain their independence, or you can build another income stream through rental yields. It adds value to your property, if the flat you get built is of a good quality.

The seven questions we’ve given you will help filter out the casual builder who thinks they can from the experts who know they can. Superior Granny Flats have been answering these questions for many years and always scoring top marks. With display villages in Bayswater, Victoria and Underwood, Queensland, a gallery of completed projects, and a customer testimonial page full of happy homeowners, we're an open book. We're Master Builders registered in both Victoria and Queensland, 100% Australian made, and proud of every single unit we build,all 250+ of them every year.

If you're ready to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you. Call us on 0419 540 393, drop us an email, or come and walk through one of our display units in person. Our door is open.

FAQ

Q: What states do you build in?

Superior Granny Flats builds across Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales, and is certified with the relevant building authorities in each state.

Q: How much do your granny flats cost?

The Affordable Range starts from $118,900 and the Superior Range from $128,900. Investor Units start from $201,900. Prices may vary depending on location, council requirements, and customisation.

Q: What is a relocatable granny flat?

A relocatable granny flat is designed and manufactured off-site, then delivered and assembled at your property. This flat-pack approach allows installation even in backyards with limited side access.

Q: Do you build permanent brick granny flats?

Yes. Following new Victorian approvals, Superior Granny Flats now offers permanent brick granny flat designs, built to last as a long-term dwelling on your property.