Granny Flat Over the Garage: Is It Right for You?

The Expense of Converting a Garage Into a Granny Flat

So why don't more people construct a Granny Flat above their garage? It's not worth the cost. A 400-square-foot apartment erected on top of a garage might cost more than $350,000 compared to the baseline cost of a garage conversion, which is around $125,000. And here's why.

Constructing a solid upper level with a large open space below is costly.

The standard size range for a garage is 20–24 ft. You can't install support poles down the middle if you want to be able to drive cars in and out of the area. The perimeter of the current building needs to be fortified.

The difficulty continues with the floor of the granny flat. It can't give or bow. Otherwise, the floor will be damaged. Due to the lack of central support supports, the garage floor was constructed with multiple layers of subflooring.

You may want to style the new building to seem like your primary residence.

The garage's existing finish can be painted over if you change its use, but not when you build another floor. It would help if you now repainted the entire building's exterior.

The second dwelling's façade will often be designed to resemble the primary residence. For example, if your neighbourhood has a historic overlay, you must do so. It could be necessary in some jurisdictions.

To make the addition look like it belongs to the main house, you'll need to select siding, brick, shingles, or stone with a comparable appearance. You'll need to locate a plasterer who is conversant with and able to replicate the methods commonly used fifty to seventy-five years ago. No matter what kind of finishing material is chosen, a lot of it will be needed for this two-story building.

If the garage is attached to the home, the floors on both levels must be parallel.

In most cases, this necessitates either lowering or raising the ceiling of the current garage to accommodate the new flooring. If the main home is only one storey, the garage/granny apartment should have two stories to tie in with the rest visually.

It's more expensive to set up utilities.

It takes more time and effort to run utilities from the ground floor to the upper floors because of the additional distance they must go.

A new roof and set of stairs are required.

If the roof of your garage is in good condition, you can convert the space without spending money on a new ceiling or roof. False if you want to construct a Granny Flat on an upper floor. To reach the upper levels, steps are needed.

What Effect Will the Granny Flat Have on the Main House?

Many of our customers find that the investment in a Granny Flat built above the garage is more than worthwhile. Consider the effects on the main home inhabitants while chatting with your Maxable designer about possible over-garage layouts.

Sunlight

The building's height will have the most noticeable effect. The smaller your backyard is, the more open and spacious your second story will appear from the first. The amount of sunshine that enters your yard and house throughout the year is influenced by many factors, and your designer can help you evaluate them.

A lot might depend on the pitch and height of the roof. Less sun will be blocked by a low-pitched or shed roof than a steeply-pitched one. A skilled architect can match the roof's design to that of your primary home while minimising its effect on solar heat gain.

It's sometimes awful to have anything that blocks the sun. The two-story structure may be appreciated in sunny locations due to the shade it provides during the hotter months. A landscape architect can help you reimagine your backyard if a tree obstructs your view or generates shade issues.

Privacy

Both people living in the main house and the granny apartment value their personal space. The residents of the Granny Flat are requesting more windows. You can easily do both of those things.

There are frosted glass clerestory windows, top-down/bottom-up roller shades, and strategically placed windows throughout the Granny Flat.

For the primary residence, privacy can be maintained tastefully by strategically placing trees, fencing, awnings, shrubs, and other landscape features.

Access

When planning your Granny Flat, consider the best location for the stairs and the entrance. Both the residents of the Granny Flat and the homeowners of the main house need to feel secure in their space.

Ensure the Granny Flat residents feel safe by installing external lighting, secured gates, and other security measures if your garage faces an alley.

Things to Think About Before Converting Your Garage Into a Granny Flat

Garages are still ubiquitous, but only some people use them to store their cars. Many people don't bother to park their cars in garages, instead choosing to leave them in the driveway or street. The storage space is rarely used for its intended use and is often left empty. Possible causes include the inability to fit cars in garages and the inconvenience of parking and retrieving vehicles. Even though the garage is available, the car might not fit inside since it is needed for something else.

Given the declining garage demand, you may put yours to good use. Turning it into a grandmother's house or annexe makes sense, which might even raise your home's worth.

Approval

Converting your garage into a habitable space may require special permits in some areas. The answer may depend on whether or not the apartment is self-contained. Access to the main home and whether or not it is required for specific amenities may also be relevant. If you want to know what sort of permits and regulations you must adhere to, contact the relevant local council or authority.

Plumbing and Electricity

Plumbing and electrical systems must be in place before any major structural improvements may be made. Although you probably already have electricity in your garage, you may require more plug sockets. To install a kitchen and bathroom, plumbing is required.

Facilities

A small kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area should be provided. Using any loft space above the garage, you can get some extra square footage. The flat's occupants may need to utilise the main house's laundry facilities if they need help to fit in the smaller space.

Insulation and Heating

It's possible that your garage needs to be more well-insulated than the rest of your home; putting insulation there could be a good idea. Consider the heating system you intend to employ and whether or not you intend to put air conditioning in the apartment.

Walls and Floors

Your garage's current walls and floors aren't fit for human habitation. You'll also need suitable flooring and insulating inside walls to make your new home habitable. The apartment's ceiling must be installed, or the roof's underside must be insulated and clad.

Before starting the conversion of your garage, proper planning is required. Do the math and save money if the final price exceeds expected.

The Benefits of Turning Your Garage Into a Granny Flat 

Save Money

A "Granny Flat," or auxiliary residential unit, is erected onto a property. Different types of garage conversions go by different names, such as granny flats and converted garages. Whether you're looking to establish a Granny Flat for passive income or more living space, converting your garage is one of the most cost-effective options.

Gain a Higher Resale Value

Including a Granny Flat on your property might increase its worth. Even if you have yet to make plans to sell, converting your garage into liveable space can increase your home's resale value since potential purchasers will see it as an opportunity to increase their return on investment. Adding a Granny Flat, a converted garage apartment, to your house is a great way to increase its value.

Add Additional Living Space

There are a wide variety of non-living uses for a granny flat. Owners of Granny Flats have repurposed their dwellings as:

• Home-Based Galleries and Studios
• Temples of Yoga
• Room to Relax in / "Man" Hideaway

Provide Independence for a Younger/Older Family Member

The thought of their children moving out of the house can be difficult for many parents. Young adults can benefit from a Granny Flat since it gives them space to grow into adulthood while being close enough to their parents for emotional support if needed. The same holds for an older grandparent, aunt, or uncle. This way, they can live independently without travelling too far to reach family in a medical emergency.

Create a Rental Property

Garage conversion rentals are a simple solution for property owners to supplement their income while helping alleviate the affordable housing crisis in densely populated cities. This is especially helpful for low-income families and individuals and those homeless.

Great Return on Your Investment (ROI)

Making the most of your property by adding a Granny Flat or other supplementary dwelling unit is a common practice. Since a Granny Flat can increase a home's value and generate rental income all in one place, it's usual for major cities to subsidise the building of these accessory dwelling units. As a result, you have a fantastic chance to increase your ROI and initiate a stream of passive income.

Conclusion 

A granny flat is a secluded and romantic retreat, set high in trees and separated from the main home. It is a great way to add living space without losing either. The size of the garage can limit the inside space, but a balcony can be added for al fresco dining and lounging. Cantilevering the upper story off to one side is another option for creating more room.

However, converting a garage into a granny flat is not worth the cost. Constructing a solid upper level with a large open space below is costly, and the floor of the granny flat must be designed to resemble the primary residence. To make the addition look like it belongs to the main house, you need to select siding, brick, shingles, or stone with a comparable appearance.

The Granny Flat has several effects on the main house inhabitants. It can increase the amount of sunlight, provide shade, and enhance privacy. A skilled architect can help you evaluate the building's height, pitch, and height to minimize its effect on solar heat gain. Landscape architects can help you reimagine your backyard to maximize the benefits of a granny flat.

When planning a Granny Flat, consider the best location for stairs and entrance to ensure safety for both residents and homeowners. Consider installing external lighting, secured gates, and other security measures if the garage faces an alley. Converting your garage into a habitable space may require special permits in some areas, depending on the apartment's self-containment and access to the main home.

Plumbing and electrical systems must be in place before major structural improvements, and a small kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area should be provided. Insulation and heating may be necessary, and the garage's walls and floors need to be suitable for human habitation.

The benefits of turning your garage into a Granny Flat include saving money, increasing a home's resale value, adding additional living space, providing independence for younger/older family members, creating a rental property, and generating a great return on your investment (ROI). Major cities often subsidize the building of these accessory dwelling units, giving you a chance to increase your ROI and initiate a stream of passive income. Proper planning is essential before starting the conversion process.

Content Summary: 

• A granny flat, set high in the trees and separated from the main home, is a secluded and romantic retreat.
• The garage is a great location to keep things and park cars safely, and adding a granny flat is a great way to add living space without losing either.
• The size of the garage constrains the inside space of this style of Granny Flat, but a balcony can be added for al fresco dining and lounging.
• Cantilevering the upper story off to one side is another option for creating more room.
• So why don't more people construct a Granny Flat above their garage?
• It's not worth the cost.
• A 400-square-foot apartment erected on top of a garage might cost more than $350,000 compared to the baseline cost of a garage conversion, which is around $125,000.
• Constructing a solid upper level with a large open space below is costly.
• The standard size range for a garage is 20–24 ft.
• The perimeter of the current building needs to be fortified.
• The difficulty continues with the floor of the granny flat.
• You may want to style the new building to seem like your primary residence.
• If the garage is attached to the home, the floors on both levels must be parallel.
• If the main home is only one storey, the garage/granny apartment should have two stories to tie in with the rest visually.
• It's more expensive to set up utilities.
• A new roof and set of stairs are required.
• If the roof of your garage is in good condition, you can convert the space without spending money on a new ceiling or roof.
• False if you want to construct a Granny Flat on an upper floor.
• To reach the upper levels, steps are needed.
• Many of our customers find that the investment in a Granny Flat built above the garage is more than worthwhile.
• Consider the effects on the main home inhabitants while chatting with your Maxable designer about possible over-garage layouts.
• The smaller your backyard is, the more open and spacious your second story will appear from the first.
• A lot might depend on the pitch and height of the roof.
• A skilled architect can match the roof's design to that of your primary home while minimising its effect on solar heat gain.
• Both people living in the main house and the granny apartment value their personal space.
• The residents of the Granny Flat are requesting more windows.
• When planning your Granny Flat, consider the best location for the stairs and the entrance.
• Both the residents of the Granny Flat and the homeowners of the main house need to feel secure in their space.
• Ensure the Granny Flat residents feel safe by installing external lighting, secured gates, and other security measures if your garage faces an alley.
• Converting your garage into a habitable space may require special permits in some areas.
• To install a kitchen and bathroom, plumbing is required.
• It's possible that your garage needs to be more well-insulated than the rest of your home; putting insulation there could be a good idea.
• Before starting the conversion of your garage, proper planning is required.
• Save Money A "Granny Flat," or auxiliary residential unit, is erected onto a property.
• Whether you're looking to establish a Granny Flat for passive income or more living space, converting your garage is one of the most cost-effective options.
• Including a Granny Flat on your property might increase its worth.
• Even if you have yet to make plans to sell, converting your garage into liveable space can increase your home's resale value since potential purchasers will see it as an opportunity to increase their return on investment.
• Adding a Granny Flat, a converted garage apartment, to your house is a great way to increase its value.
• There are a wide variety of non-living uses for a granny flat.
• Owners of Granny Flats have repurposed their dwellings as: Home-Based Galleries and Studios Temples of Yoga Room to Relax in / "Man" Hideaway Provide Independence for a Younger/Older Family Member The thought of their children moving out of the house can be difficult for many parents.
• Young adults can benefit from a Granny Flat since it gives them space to grow into adulthood while being close enough to their parents for emotional support if needed.
• The same holds for an older grandparent, aunt, or uncle.
• Garage conversion rentals are a simple solution for property owners to supplement their income while helping alleviate the affordable housing crisis in densely populated cities.
• Making the most of your property by adding a Granny Flat or other supplementary dwelling unit is a common practice.
• Since a Granny Flat can increase a home's value and generate rental income all in one place, it's usual for major cities to subsidise the building of these accessory dwelling units.