Second hand Granny Flat costs?

CryssieJade on 23/12/2015 - 09:19
Last edited 23/12/2015 - 09:26

Hi all,

I'm toying with the idea of putting a Granny Flat/one bedroom studio in my Mum's backyard (for myself). My budget from start to finish is approx $10,000.

My council allows a transportable building to be put on the land as long as it is for a dependable person's use (I'm not a 'dependable person', but I could twist that loophole). I would still need a permit of some kind though, but not a council one (building permit?)

I'm looking to buy a granny flat second hand and get it transported to my Mum's house. I've seen a few in good nic going for around $5000, with all fittings/wiring.

So, here is my major question:

In my remaining (approx) $5000 budget, will that be enough coin to transport/crane the building over my Mum's single storey house, connect plumbing and electricity, and pay for a building permit?

Or am I dreaming and should abandon the idea?

If anyone has a rough idea of how much these things will cost, or even let me know their own experiences with this, I'd be appreciative, cheers :)

(And yes, the building will have to be removable. I intend to take it with me when I eventually buy a block of land. Also, when my Mum eventually sells her house, it will be demolished, so the granny flat will not be included in the purchase price)

Poll Options

  • 8
    You can do it!
  • 6
    Tell her she's dreaming
Home & Garden

Comments

  • airzone on 23/12/2015 - 13:52
    +1

    Lol. No way.

    • CryssieJade on 23/12/2015 - 16:34

      Your comment was very helpful. Thanks so much!!

      • airzone on 23/12/2015 - 18:20
        +1

        Anytime.

        My old man hired a crane about 10 years back. Was $600 / hour + 1 hour callout fee. A neighbour had a crane install a pool similar to what you are looking at, anf it took about 4 - 5 hours of crane time.

        A sparkie will probably need around $2k to install a power trench and hookup, plus probably more to inspect for legal compliance.

        A plumber will want the same, if not more (sewerage work is always more expensive).

        Then you will probably also need some concrete foundations to sit the thing on.

        A colleague just got DA approval for a granny flat and it cost about 3 - 4k for all the council approvals and work.

        This is all assuming that the granny flat is already in your driveway. If you need to crane it out, and transport it, another couple of grand there.

        Don't be surprised if you're looking at around $20 - 30k all up.

        But don't take my word for it, call up a few sparkies, builders, and plumbers to see what their rates are. And a crane / transport company. And the council..

        • mskeggs on 23/12/2015 - 18:41
          +1

          I agree this is a fair estimate of costs, based on a quote I got to build a granny flat. It was circa $80k for the building and $20k for all the site work. This site had direct access for truck too.

  • mskeggs on 23/12/2015 - 18:39
    +2

    If you want your own space, might be better to get an old caravan and gut the interior to make a blank canvas. No permits needed and you will get change out of $5k

    • zond on 18/01/2016 - 16:27

      ^^ this. Best and most economical idea. Grab an onsite caravan, tow it and park at the back. Reno should be cheap if needed, and you should be able to connect to the mains without need of anyone.

  • chumlee on 23/12/2015 - 18:50

    Maybe try something like modscape.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2015 - 09:46
    +1

    I am not joking with this, if you live in Sydney many many houses have extra living dwellings built in the backyard with no council approval.

    I am currently living in one ! I know several people living in others, I have inspected plenty of them and the size of the rats scared me away.

    Most rental houses / share accommodation houses have had dodgy rooms added / extra flat conversions simply so that the landlords can get more rent, and many of these constructions are not safe or aesthetically-pleasing.

    If neighbours report you that is a risk, I know not the fines, if any.

    $5k for Gflat, +$1k-$2k handyman plumbing +$250++ willing 'electrician'/handyman to connect wiring to main house wiring (how safe do you want it lol).

    You would have money to spare from your $10k.

    Walk down your street and assess whether your Gflat will be noticeable from the street and if so will it look out of place ?

    Good Luck.

  • CryssieJade on 25/12/2015 - 10:11

    I'm in VIC, doubt I'd get away with that lol

    Next problem is, the main house's wiring is terrible. So not even sure what my options are with that, electricians hate my Mum's house. Don't know if I can connect it to an external power source/underground power? I don't know how these things work. This could be a bad idea!!

    • airzone on 27/12/2015 - 11:31

      Unless you pay for a new connection to the grid (and thus have a separate meter for the granny flat - several grand in cost there), then you will need to install a new circuit from the houses switchboard (with probably around 30 - 50A capacity). It'll be clean since they won't have to mess about with the house wiring, but you will have some significant trenching costs if you run it underground from the front of the house… Alternatively they will need to run it through the ceiling and down the back wall into a trench.

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