FAQs

In Queensland planning terminology, a granny flat is generally called a secondary dwelling. It is a self-contained home located on the same lot as a main dwelling and is smaller and subordinate to that home.

A secondary dwelling normally has its own kitchen, bathroom, living area and sleeping space. It may be attached to the main house, built within it or constructed as a separate building, subject to the requirements that apply to the property.

Every new granny flat requires building approval. Whether you also need to lodge a planning application with Sunshine Coast Council depends on your property's zoning, overlays and whether the proposal meets the planning scheme's accepted development requirements.

A straightforward, compliant project may proceed through a private building certifier without a separate council planning application. A proposal that does not meet the accepted development requirements may need council assessment. Plumbing and drainage approvals may also be required.

Because every property is different, our team checks the likely approval pathway as part of the early project assessment.

The allowable floor area depends on the property's zone and any local provisions. In many standard residential areas, a secondary dwelling can have a gross floor area of up to 60m². Some rural properties may allow up to 90m². Special precincts and constrained sites can have different limits.

Decks, patios, carports and other non-habitable areas may be treated differently from internal floor area, but they can still affect site coverage, setbacks and approvals. Do not choose a plan based on size alone: the property should be checked first.

There is no single setback that applies to every Sunshine Coast property. The required distance can change with the zone, building height, lot dimensions, road frontage, fire separation and relevant overlays.

The safest approach is to place your preferred design on a site plan and have the setbacks checked before paying for detailed design work.

Lot size is only one part of the assessment. Council requirements may also consider site coverage, parking, setbacks, private open space, access, wastewater and the relationship between the granny flat and the main home.

A larger block is not automatically suitable, and a smaller block is not automatically ruled out. A property-specific assessment is the best way to understand what is possible.

Yes. Our team specialises in sloping and hinterland sites. A sloping block may require a suspended floor system, additional engineering, geotechnical advice, retaining work or a different access strategy, but it can also create opportunities for views, ventilation and useful outdoor space.

The slope should be assessed early because it can influence the best location, floor system, approval pathway, construction access and total project cost.

Not necessarily. An overlay means the design and approval process must address an additional site condition. Depending on the property, this may involve minimum floor levels, bushfire-resistant materials, a Bushfire Attack Level assessment, geotechnical reporting or limits on where the dwelling can be positioned.

Overlays can add design work, time and cost, so they should be identified before the design is finalised.

It may be possible, but the building must be suitable for residential use and comply with current structural, energy-efficiency, fire-safety, waterproofing, ventilation, glazing and plumbing requirements. An existing shed or garage was often approved as a non-habitable structure and may need substantial upgrades before it can be lawfully occupied.

A certifier and building professional should inspect the structure before you assume conversion will be cheaper than a purpose-designed granny flat.

A self-contained granny flat needs appropriate electricity, water, hot water, plumbing and wastewater connections. The exact solution depends on the location of existing services, their capacity and whether the property connects to sewer or uses an on-site wastewater system.

Long service runs, electrical upgrades, pump systems or wastewater changes can materially affect the budget. These items should be investigated during the preliminary stage.

There is no reliable one-price answer. The final cost depends on the dwelling's size, design, level of finish and, importantly, the site itself. Slope, soil conditions, access, service connections, overlays, wastewater requirements, decks and retaining work can all change the total.

We can discuss indicative pricing during the initial consultation. A site-specific price requires the design and preliminary investigations to be developed far enough to identify what the project actually needs. Contact our team to discuss your property, preferred design and project scope.

Compare the total scope, not only the advertised starting price. Check whether a quote includes:

• Site assessment, plans and design work
• Engineering, energy assessment and certification
• Planning, building, plumbing and drainage approvals where required
• Earthworks, foundations or the suspended floor system
• Delivery, assembly and construction labour
• Electrical, water, sewer or wastewater connections
• Kitchen, bathroom, laundry and internal finishes
• Decks, stairs, balustrades and external works
• Contingencies for site-specific conditions

A low kit or base-build price may exclude several items needed to make the dwelling approved, connected and ready to occupy.

Common cost drivers include steep slopes, difficult vehicle or crane access, reactive soils, rock, long service connections, retaining walls, bushfire requirements, flood constraints, vegetation controls and on-site wastewater systems.

Identifying these conditions early is one of the best ways to create a realistic budget and reduce unexpected changes later.

Turnkey projects can often be funded through a traditional construction loan with staged progress payments. Lending criteria differ between banks, and finance for kit-only or owner-builder projects may be more limited.

Speak with your lender or broker before committing to a delivery method. We can provide project information for your finance discussions once the scope has been established.

A well-designed, approved granny flat can broaden the property's appeal and add flexible living or rental potential. However, the increase in value is not guaranteed and may not equal the full construction cost.

Ask a local property valuer or real estate professional for advice based on your suburb, property and intended use. If family members are contributing money or you plan to rent the dwelling, legal, tax and financial advice may also be appropriate.

Our existing range includes compact one-bedroom and larger one- or two-bedroom layouts in 45m², 60m² and 90m² options. The right plan depends on who will live there, how the spaces need to function and what your property can accommodate.

View our Sunshine Coast granny flat designs to compare the available layouts. A 90m² plan will not be suitable under every zone's secondary dwelling provisions, so site eligibility must be confirmed.

Yes. Our plans can be adjusted to suit your site, lifestyle and design preferences. Changes may include the internal layout, windows and doors, accessibility features, external materials, storage and outdoor living areas.

Structural changes can affect engineering, energy performance, approvals and price, so customisation is best discussed before detailed documentation begins.

Potentially either. A granny flat may be freestanding, attached to the main house or incorporated within it, provided the design complies with the planning scheme and building requirements.

The best option depends on available space, privacy, access, services, fire separation and how the two dwellings will be used.

Our granny flats are designed for durability and the local climate. Depending on the selected design and specification, materials may include TRUECORE® steel framing, COLORBOND® roofing and cladding, Weathertex cladding and locally manufactured cabinetry.

We favour quality materials and local suppliers wherever practical, with selections confirmed for each project.

New dwellings in Queensland must comply with the current National Construction Code energy-efficiency requirements, including the applicable 7-star NatHERS standard and Whole-of-Home assessment.

Orientation, shading, insulation, glazing, ventilation and the colour and performance of external materials are considered during design. The final solution is assessed for the specific design and site.

A typical turnkey project may take around three to six months from contract to handover, including approvals, but every project is different. A planning application, specialist reports, complex site works, weather or long-lead materials can extend the programme.

We provide a more realistic timeline once the site, design, approval pathway and construction scope are understood.

Our process has four main stages:

1. Consultation: We visit the property, discuss your goals and review the site.
2. Design: We develop or customise a design to suit the site and your needs.
3. Approvals: We coordinate the required design documentation, engineering and approvals for turnkey projects.
4. Construction: Once the plans and approvals are complete, we coordinate fabrication and construction through to handover.

This integrated approach keeps design, engineering, approvals and construction connected from the beginning.

Yes. Our project gallery includes completed granny flats, studios and hinterland builds with different layouts, finishes and site conditions. Explore our granny flat projects for ideas.

Yes. Queensland's planning rules allow an approved secondary dwelling to be rented to someone who is not related to the occupants of the main home. The dwelling must still be lawfully approved, safe and compliant, and the tenancy must follow Queensland residential tenancy requirements.

Changing how an existing granny flat is occupied can trigger additional building requirements, particularly for fire safety and sound transmission. Check the dwelling's approvals and speak with a building certifier before offering it for rent.

Do not assume that permission to rent a granny flat long term also permits short-term accommodation. Short-stay use can fall under different planning rules and may require additional council approval, depending on the location, existing approvals and proposed use.

Confirm the current requirements with the relevant council before designing or building a granny flat specifically for short-term accommodation.

Generally, no. A secondary dwelling remains part of the same property and title as the main dwelling. It is intended to be smaller and subordinate to the primary home.

If you want two separately owned or titled dwellings, you may be considering a dual occupancy or subdivision instead. Those are different forms of development with different planning and infrastructure requirements.

They can, but everyone should understand who owns the improvement and what happens if circumstances change. Because the granny flat normally remains part of the landowner's property, a written granny flat arrangement may help protect all parties.

Obtain independent legal and financial advice before transferring money or relying on the arrangement for Centrelink, tax, estate-planning or aged-care purposes.

Often, yes. Whether this is practical depends on access, site safety, noise, temporary service interruptions and the extent of earthworks. The construction area must remain secure and separated from residents, children and pets.

The site setup and any periods of restricted access should be discussed before construction begins.

We build across the Sunshine Coast and selected parts of Gympie and Moreton Bay. If your property is outside these areas, send us an enquiry with the suburb and project details so we can confirm whether we can help.

Start with the property address, how you intend to use the granny flat, your preferred number of bedrooms, any accessibility needs, your approximate timeframe and what you know about the budget or site.

Do not worry if you have not selected a plan. The first step is understanding the property and your priorities so we can point you towards a suitable design and approval pathway.