Granny annexe ideas

Annexe living is an increasingly popular way in which to extend a property, giving more space to house additional family members, while still affording a certain degree of personal space and independent living.

Many factors are contributing to the rise in planning applications for annexe buildings with roughly 10,000 applications made to local councils across the UK each year. Factors that contribute to these high numbers are the increase in house prices across many regions, the introduction of the rise of stamp duty, and the many benefits annexe living has for families. An annexe can help provide care for elderly relatives, negating care home costs or can even give younger family members a leg up on the property ladder, thus providing the perfect solution to a number of housing issues.

Of the 10,000 applications made yearly, around 82 per cent are successful, for both new annexes and for buildings that are converted into an annexe. In fact, there has been a 5% increase in annexe applications since 2018.

Annexes have also been linked to improving the chances of homeowners selling their homes. Recent research amongst estate agents nationwide has revealed that 3 and 4 bedroom homes with a granny annexe can expect to command up to a 27% higher asking price, compared to similar properties in the local area.

Designing and building your dream annexe.

The process of designing and building an annexe is a very exciting prospect for a lot of people. Something that makes GrannyAnnexe.com almost unique amongst in competitors is that it offers a totally bespoke design service, meaning that you can create a building designed around your own unique requirements. We are always on hand to work closely with you on the design and layout, which can also be essential for helping you to gain planning permission.

The rise in interest in self-build projects, featured on programs such as Grand Designs, means that more than ever people are thinking ‘what if I build my own ideal home’. An annexe can be a great way to achieve this dream but without the expense of buying a plot of land. As an annexe is an ancillary building to your main home there are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration. One of the most important is that is must not take up more than 50% of the total land of your existing home and land. In smaller properties, this might restrict the scale of your project, whereas in larger properties you might be able to build a larger annexe.

Planning permission and annexe building

In order to build an annexe, it is almost certain that you will need to get planning permission from your local planning authority. As an annexe is to be lived in on a full-time basis, then planning permission is required by law. GrannyAnnexe.com are able to apply and take care of the whole planning process for an additional fee of £1954.00 including VAT. Included in this price we will create the scaled drawings, planning statement and liaise with the case officer.

It is also no problem if you would like to take care of the planning process yourself, in which case we would provide the scaled drawings and designs for you to make your own application.

When applying for planning permission it is important to consider a number of factors. These factors should be mentioned in your personal statement, a document that will need to be included in the planning application. These factors include your reasons for building the annexe, so if it’s for yourself then it is important to explain certain family or health issues. An example of this might be that you need extra family support due to mobility. Planning authorities will take all of the factors into consideration when deciding if permission for a granny annexe will be granted. If you would like to build a larger annexe with say 2 or 3 bedrooms, this might be an issue for planning, so it will be important to explain why the extra bedrooms are required. Planning authorities are in general supportive of annexe applications, as long as it is well presented why they are required and the design and scale of the building fits in with the local environment.

Current annexe design trends

The design of your annexe is a personal choice and we are more than happy to help you create the home of your dreams. Unlike many other annexe companies, all the buildings we construct are unique. During a free site survey, we will be able to discuss with you the style and design of your new annexe. Sometimes the design is affected by the local environment and what design is likely to get planning approval. But this still gives you a lot of choices regarding the style. Some people prefer a more traditional design, like the example above, with a rendered exterior and brick quoins. Other people are looking for something more contemporary, a fantastic modern look can be achieved with Anthracite Grey doors and windows and cedar cladding, as in the example below.

We will be able to guide you on which design could suit your garden best and on the range of options we have available to make your new home unique.

Building an annexe can be one of the simplest ways to create a new home to live in, due to the fact that many companies (such as Granny Annexe) offer a complete turnkey solution. This means that we take care of everything, from consultation and design to the planning stages and building, to handing you the keys. This can take a lot of the stress and hassle out of the building process, allowing you to concentrate on more important things, such as planning the move.

Family

Of course, consideration number one is very often the family and how the move will influence family dynamics. If an older family member is moving into the garden annexe then this can be a great boost to everybody involved, but can also mark a change and could take some time for all parties to adjust to. In the beginning, it can be a good idea to give each other the space to adjust and to remember that while an annexe connects family, it also allows for each to live independently of each other. Grandchildren and younger members will also need time to get used to the change and will perhaps be very excited to have their grandparents live so close by.

Finances

Finances can be something that causes a lot of stress in a family, especially when large sums of money are involved. It is important to be open with each other from the offset and be clear about how the annexe will be funded and maintained. Often the cost of the annexe will be funded through the sale of a house previously lived in. This process itself can be the cause of a lot of stress and it’s important to be realistic about how fast a property might sell. Once sold there can be a lot of legal work to complete, so it’s wise to consider all these factors.

Timing the build

One of the key advantages of a building constructed by Granny Annexe is the fast turnaround and speed in which our annexes can be erected. We usually suggest that an annexe can be built between 5 – 7 weeks, depending on weather and ground conditions. This means that you could be moved in and relaxing in a couple of months. Our complete turnkey solution means that you won’t need to lift a finger, as we also take care of all internal plastering, appliance fixtures, painting and decorating. We also make sure the annexe is cleaned top to bottom before handing you the keys. Another consideration regarding the timing of the build is the planning process. We can submit an application on your behalf at an additional cost of £1954.00 inc VAT. This means that we deal with the planning department and building control and use our expertise in order to maximise the chances of the annexe being awarded permission. It is important to be aware that planning approval on average is an 8-12 week process that can be affected by a number of external influences.

The building process

Choosing your builders wisely can be the difference between a stress-free and successful building project and a complete disaster. There are plenty of companies that offer cut-price annexe construction but do not have the know-how and experience to build the annexe to the standard required by building control. The important thing to consider when choosing a building company is if you can see examples of previous work that they have carried out. In order to offer this, we operate an ambassador scheme where it is possible to view an annexe that is actually lived in by one of our ambassadors. We feel this offers some advantages over a showroom as you can actually talk to one of our past customers, see how the annexe works for them and get a feel for how you might enjoy living in a similar building.

Building for the future

When construction something such as an annexe it is important to consider how the building might work in the future and how its use might change. How the annexe will be used varies greatly from family to family, depending on the level of care that will be needed, if external support is required, and how mobile the occupants are. From the offset, we design our buildings to meet the unique requirements of each customer, but we can also suggest ways to make the building future proof, installing ramps, extra-wide doorways, walk-in showers and other adaptations that can make life easier in the future.

Virtual tours are a great way to get an impression of the size and scale of the annexes we build and to picture how the interior spaces work. Our team of designers are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of annexe design and to create buildings that are fantastic living spaces while also adding great design and architecture to its surroundings.

With a total area of 60m2, this large L-Shaped annexe is quite a design statement. Red cedar cladding is complimented with Anthracite grey UPVC doors and windows to create a contemporary and stunning design. A key feature of the annexe is the natural sedum roof that creates a striking look but also benefits the building with great insulation properties that also helps the local environment, providing a great habitat for wildlife and insects.

Our walk around tour shows some of the impressive features that are included in an annexe of this size. Wide French doors open up to reveal a spacious kitchen diner and living room, while dual aspect windows bring in lots of light and offer fantastic views to the garden beyond. A great additional feature of the living room is the inclusion of a log burner. This is an optional extra that can add a homely impression, helping to create a cosy and warm room during winter. Ideal for when the weather turns a bit grey and wet and all you want to do is lie down on the sofa and read a book.

This size annexe also allows room for a separate study with skylight, double bedroom and plenty of room for extra storage.

The second virtual tour shows a modern annexe with large open plan rooms featuring impressive views to the garden. Dramatic glazing is a key feature, with very large bifold doors flooding the annexe with light, helping to create a very spacious building. The bedroom to the front of the property takes centre stage in this build, enjoying dual aspect floor to ceiling glazing and bi-fold doors. Being a larger annexe there is also plenty of room for an additional bedroom to the rear of the property, ideal for visiting guests.

The other end of the annexe features an open plan kitchen diner and seating areas face the garden, creating a calm oasis from which to relax or entertain.

This third visual tour is representative of a more typical annexe we build. Something similar to our Islay range. This annexe incorporates a one-bedroom layout with a separate open plan kitchen diner. A more traditional look is created with the use of white render and brick quoins, but with a modern twist incorporating large anthracite grey french doors. Light and spaciousness is a common feature in all the annexes we build.

This annexe design also benefits from a large decking area, which can really help a building connect with its outdoor space. An outdoor ramp allows for easy access, making the annexe suitable for those with disabilities while blending into the external design.

After completing a free site survey we provide each customer with a 3-D drawing of your own bespoke annexe design, a floor plan showing the layout of your new annexe, and an itemised quotation with a transparent itemised list of all the costs that are involved.