Planning the layout and interior design of your annexe space

August 19, 2020by Granny Annexe in garden annexe, Granny Annexe considerations, Uncategorized

Layouts that work for you

Once you have made the decision to start building your annexe, there are a host of exciting options that need to be made. One of the most important things to consider is the layout of the annexe and how this will be designed in order to provide the best possible solution to your housing needs. The layout is something that needs to be correct from the get-go, as it is difficult to make alterations later in the build.

What factors are important when choosing your layout?

The starting point for deciding on the layout of any home is to look carefully at the way that you use the building and how that use might change or adapt in the future. This is especially true for elderly customers, who’s mobility might not be as good as it was, or could require improved access for a wheelchair or walking support. A self-contained annexe is often a perfect solution for elderly people, for who a level of independence if still desired, but with the added security of being close to family and relatives.

The smaller size of an annexe means that rooms tend to be conveniently close to each other, all on one level, with great access between shower rooms, bedrooms and living spaces.

Garden space and layout

Another key factor when choosing the layout of your garden annexe is the building’s orientation and how it sits within the garden space. This has an obvious bearing on where windows will be placed and where you want different views from.

You might want a living room with French doors overlooking the garden, or maybe a great view from the sink for you to do your washing up, or maybe you prefer a bedroom with a more secluded outlook. How your windows and views are configured on the property will help determine how the layout will be organised.

The size of the garden can also have an impact on the size and layout. Current regulations for annexes state that they should not take up more than 50% of the total garden plot area, so this could limit some people into the size of the property or whether it has one or two bedrooms. Annexes with a floor space of less than 25m2 might need to have a studio configuration in order to maximise the space available.

Can planning rules effect layout?

One or two bedrooms is an important consideration, which can also have an influence on your planning application. As an annexe is a self-contained accommodation that will be lived in, it will need planning permission.

Part of the planning process will require you to write a statement outlining your needs to build an annexe, whether it’s for personal, health or family requirements. If a two-bedroom annexe is going to be built then planning authorities will need to know the reasons for the extra bedroom and might take this into consideration when processing the application.

In order to make the planning as stress-free as possible, we offer a planning service for a small extra charge. Knowing the annexe industry inside-out means that our success rate is very high and we have a good understanding of what is required by local authorities in order to get an annexe successfully approved.

Facilities and services

Another factor that is necessary for an annexe to pass planning is that it be classed as an ancillary building. An important part of this is that it shares some of the services and facilities with the main house, such as sewage, electric, water etc. To be able to connect services the annexe will need to be positioned in a particular way, perhaps with a shower room and kitchen orientated towards these services. All of these factors can have an impact on the layout and alter how the building is designed.

Best annexes for small spaces

For a narrower garden or a smaller garden space, there are a number of options that can be used to make the most of the size. If you do not want to compromise much on internal floor space then we would recommend either an L-Shaped floor plan or to reposition the annexe so that it faces the garden on the narrow end. An L-Shaped annexe is a great way to get the maximum floor area from a narrow site, offering the possibility of a 1 or 2 bedroom layout.

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NEW Granny Annexe extension designs!

May 28, 2019by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized

At Granny Annexe, we are always adapting and evolving the design of our buildings. We specialise in creating bespoke buildings that are designed around the needs and requirements of each customer. No two gardens or people are the same and we recognise that in the annexes we construct.

In order to provide even more versatility, we have introduced a brand new range of buildings, called our Annexe Extensions range. Built to the same very high standards as our normal annexes, extensions can provide a number of advantages.

Sometimes on rare occasions, we have found some people have been denied planning permission for a normal annexe in the garden. This might be due to a number of reasons, such as neighbour’s concerns, being in a conservation area or not having a large enough garden. An annexe extension has the chance of meeting planning regulation more easily, and in some cases might be built under permitted development.

All of our annexe extensions are flat-roofed, single storey buildings, constructed using the same high performing energy efficient ‘SIP’ (structurally-insulated-panel) construction technique. With our complete turnkey service, you can save time and money. You will not have to deal with planning authorities, architects or builders, instead we will take care of everything for you from the planning stages to handing you the keys.

Due to our modular construction techniques, you can also take advantage of our rapid construction, with most buildings being completed in 5 – 7 weeks. Building works can be disruptive and stressful, we try to minimise this as much as possible with a process we have developed an honed over a number of years. Part of the construction process takes place off-site in our workshops in Bedfordshire. We then transport the SIP panels to your home and begin construction once all foundations and ground works are completed. This allows for a fast turnaround offering you a smooth and stress-free building process.

Independent living in the heart of the family

Despite being attached to the main home, our annexe extensions still offer the same level of independent living as our standard annexes. We have designed both the main house and the extension to have it’s own individual access to the garden, perfect for independent living.

Example 1 – The Studio Annexe Extension

Our studio extension is perfect for those with a smaller garden and is designed especially for an attached property. The clever design allows for an open plan living space, with a separate deluxe shower room and a bedroom tucked away from the living room. Large French doors open into the garden, flooding the extension with light, providing wonderful views of the garden.

Interior space is arranged in order to maximise the space available, with an open plan feel, that connects the main living area to the garden, with a studio bed area tucked around the corner. Separate access for both the annexe and the main house is a key feature of all our extensions in order to provide an independent living solution, whilst still being connected to the main home.

WxDxH 4.0m x 6.0m x 3.08m

External Area 24m2

£58,700 inc. VAT

Example 2 – The double bedroom Annexe Extension

Our larger double bedroom extension has been designed as a suitable size and layout for a detached property and boasts a generous 32m2 external area. This provides space for an open plan living room, with a separate double bedroom and a deluxe shower room. Large French doors are a great feature for increasing the feeling of space and light. and allows for excellent flow between your outdoor and indoor spaces.

Our layout can be configured in a number of ways in order to meet your own requirements. Below is an example of a suitable floor plan that creates a light-filled open plan living space, with separate access to the garden.

WxDxH 4.0m x 8.0m x 3.08m

External Area 32m2

£69,600 inc. VAT

Example 3 – The Wrap-around Annexe Extension

Our wrap-around extension is perfect for those wanting to make the most of a garage or side return, turning this space into versatile independent living accommodation. The practical L-Shaped design incorporates an open plan living space, with kitchenette a separate double bedroom and either an ensuite or separate deluxe shower room.

Plenty of space is available with the L-Shaped design allowing for the layout to be configured in a number of ways. In our example below, both the bedroom and the living area face the garden, with plenty of space for an open plan living area.

WxDxH 7.0m x 6.0m x 3.08m

External Area 30m2

£68,600 inc. VAT

Versatility and Style

A granny annexe extension is an adaptable and versatile building that can be designed to compliment your own unique requirements. We can configure the extension to fit perfectly with your existing home and are always on hand to provide information and discuss design ideas. If you require a bespoke design we can help and advise accordingly. All the extensions we build are flat roofed single storey designs with an external render finish in a choice of colours, all grounds works are included in the price.

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

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What are the expected costs of building a Granny Annexe

February 15, 2019by Granny Annexe in Granny annexe costs, Help & Advice, Uncategorized

Constructing an outdoor building in your home’s garden is often seen as a great investment and a sure way to create added value to your property. An annexe is often created for a very specific need, usually for an elderly relative, or increasingly, for a younger relative who might not yet be able to afford their own home. In both cases, it is a fantastic way to create an independent living solution that will be an asset to your property for years to come.

All of the buildings that we construct are bespoke and designed especially for each of our customer’s needs. No two annexes are the same. Having said that we can still provide an example of what a typical annexe might cost based on some of the base models that we construct.

Our most compact annexe starts from £55,162.85 inc VAT. The Tiree is a one bedroom annexe with 24 m2 external area (6m x 4m). Comprising of a kitchen-diner and a studio bedroom with en suite. It provides all of the essentials for a comfortable home, while also being small enough to fit into most gardens, either lengthways of longways.

The Tiree, like all of our annexes, comes fully fitted out with a high-end kitchen, shower room and all internal fittings. We offer a complete turnkey service, from design to construction to handing you the keys.

Planning Permission

All of our annexes require planning permission as they are permanent structures designed to be lived in. While a few companies offer annexes built under the ‘Caravan Act’ this is not something we would recommend as if the planning authorities deem the building to not be ‘mobile’ then you might be asked to remove the building. We believe in constructing quality buildings with proper foundations that will last a lifetime.

A full planning service for an additional cost of £1672.00 inc VAT can reduce many of the stresses of starting a new building project, with us taking care of all or the planning and building regulations you can be sure that your annexe’s planning is in the best hands. Often these initial stages can be some of the most stressful parts of a project, but our team of highly experienced professionals can take the burden out of the process.

Larger Annexes

If you require a bit more space, then an annexe with a separate en suite bedroom normally starts from £59,896.31 inc VAT. With 28 m2 external area, there is capacity for a separate bedroom, kitchen diner and living room. An even larger 2 bedroom annexe with 58 m2 external area might typically start from £100,356.50 inc VAT.

A larger annexe can provide even more space and versatility, it is possible for us to design and construct a 2 bedroom annexe, but it is important to be aware that planning permission might be more difficult to get unless you can provide evidence that 2 bedrooms are required for the purpose of the building.

2 bedroom annexes have a lot of space and can easily accommodate a separate kitchen, study or have an en suite and a bathroom. How you configure your annexe is up to you, we will build your annexe to your specifications and be able to guide you as to what layout and floorplan would work best for you.

A full break down of our prices can be found on our website, with sizes ranging from 24 m2 to 60 m2 external area.

Optional Extras

The size of your chosen annexe, building materials and optional extras, can all affect the price that we send in the quote. Some of the most popular optional extras that we offer are engineered Oak flooring, underfloor heating, ramps and rails and external elements such as decking and lighting. The price for a newly constructed annexe usually varies a little from the list price on our website as many customers would like to make small changes to the shape, size and layout. We have our own team of in-house designers who are able to take care of all the design elements of the project free of charge. After discussing with you your requirements and design ideas we get to work in producing the first drawings, we then send you your quote with a 3-D drawing of your bespoke annexe with a floor plan and a garden aspect plan to help you visualise where everything is going.

Adding value to your home

It is generally accepted that building an annexe will increase the value of your home at least by the amount that you have spent on its construction. These days many people who are searching for a new home are looking for flexible accommodation, either to accommodate relatives, occasional guests or to use as a home office. An annexe will remain a versatile and useful addition to any home, adding value, space and functionality.

How much does an annexe cost to maintain?

We feel that you will be pleasantly surprised at how little an annexe costs to maintain once it is constructed. We only use the highest quality materials in the construction of our buildings that are built to last. The walls are constructed using structural, thermally insulated panels with either render of wood cladding. This provides excellent protection to the elements and only requires general maintenance in order to keep in lasting order for years to come. Being made from SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels) means that the cost to heat our annexes is very low compared to a typical house. The excellent thermal performance means that the annexes we build are cheap to heat in the winter yet remain cool in the summer. Modern regulations and building techniques also mean that we only utilise the most modern electrics, with eco-friendly LED lights that cost less to replace in the long term.

How does the cost of an annexe compare to a similarly sized bungalow?

Costing from between £60,000 – £110,000 for a typical annexe you can expect to make a huge saving compared to the cost of a traditional bungalow, small house or flat in most regional areas. When you build an annexe in most cases the land is already paid for, which can be the most expensive part of a new build project. Utilising your garden to build can be seen as a sure investment with any structure adding value and versatility to your property. With housing in short supply (especially bungalows) it makes increasing sense to build in your garden as the costs of housing is continuing to rise and becoming unaffordable in a lot of areas. When you add this to the practicality and care benefits of having elderly relatives close by then an annexe can make a lot of sense to many families.

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

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Exploring our ‘Islay’ range of Granny Annexes – one of our most popular designs

July 17, 2018by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized

Granny Annexe build a great range of properties providing bespoke solutions to each of our customer’s needs. One of our most popular designs is the ‘Islay‘ range, with its L-Shaped layout and spacious proportions it has proved an extremely desirable option for our customers.

Above shows a typical floor plan of one of our ‘Islays’. The L-Shape layout allows plenty of room for a spacious open plan living room/kitchen diner with an en-suite bathroom leading off from the double bedroom. A walk-in cupboard provides generous storage options helping to create an uncluttered and well-organised living space.

The choice to build an annexe is a big decision and we are here to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. After a free site survey, we will be able to help decide which layout, exterior features and interior finishes would work best for you. With the Islay, it is possible to choose from a range of options. A key feature of all our buildings is creating a light-filled living space. Bi-folding or French doors help facilitate this providing great access to the garden, brilliant views and allowing plenty of light to flood in.

Once the site survey is completed we will create for you a 3-D drawing of your new property so you can visualise how the building will look in-situ. This is a great way to provide a feeling for your new home and to understand how the final design will work in your garden. We will then draw up a floor plan and garden aspect plan so that you can see where everything is going.

Once you have decided on the layout and design of your building it is time for the fun bit of choosing your interior and exterior options. We have a list of options available for the Islay range.

Roof options – including a Sedum roof, Tiles and EPDM
Render colour options
External walls and facias
Doors – bi-fold, French doors and single doors
Windows – top hung aluminium, casement and fixed frame
Lighting – directional, wall lights and pendant lighting
Laminate flooring options

Our options help to create a stylish and modern living space, using very high-quality materials and fittings allowing for a great choice for the look and feel of your new home.

The Islay comes with an en-suite bathroom that offers a great level of convenience with every room thoughtfully positioned. Our Islay bathrooms come as standard with a W/C and wash basin, a vanity unit with a splash back and mirror positioned above. Our showers come with a choice of aqua panels and a chrome-edged sliding shower door or fixed panel shower screen.

W/C and wash basin
Vanity unit with a splash back and mirror
Showers with a choice of aqua panels
Chrome-edged sliding shower door or fixed panel

Kitchens in the Islay usually work best as part of an open plan living area. This maximises the space available and creates a capacious multifunctional area. All our kitchens come complete with high-end appliances from AEG, a variety of appliances, worktops, sinks and cabinet colours.

Variety of floor and wall level units
Laminate worktops
Water heater
Sink and taps
Appliances including Lamona and AEG products

Each of our ‘Islays’ is a starting point from which our customers are able to create their personalised and unique home. We are always here to discuss the variety of options that are available and with over 10 years experience in building homes for our customers, we are in a great position to offer you our expertise. Granny Annexe is a customer focused company and understands the needs for a granny annexe are various and often very personal, that is why we encourage you to phone us if you have any questions as we always keen to help.

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

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5 of the Weirdest Christmas Jumpers

December 16, 2016by Granny Annexe in Christmas, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events

The Christmas Waistcoat

The Christmas vest or waistcoat is top of the list, this very strange outfit does a wonderful job of keeping your core warm, but at this cold time of year you might be a bit more interested in keeping your arms warm to. Maybe its a financial issue and this chaps making a saving, we are a little doubtful though.

2. Dinner Jumper

Forget the dinner jacket, put on the dinner jumper, be careful at the Christmas dinner table with this one, you may be attacked or you will just look like a mirror and a floating head.

3. Unrelated Christmas Animals

Unrelated christmas animals, for this one we were going to show you some jumpers with things like pugs and cats on them wearing Christmas hats and such, but upon our search we came across animals wearing Christmas jumpers and this was excelled in comical value so heres some animals with the festive fever… well maybe its their owners who have the festive fever.

This one is very strange…

4. Christmas Suit

Snazzy! Not sure if Christmas suits are a new thing or old hat, my friend did don one for his works Christmas do so maybe they are gaining in popularity. Safe to say it was not a stylish choice, but then again neither are most Christmas jumpers. If this is for you it will set you back a whopping £59.95, hopefully it will make it out of the cupboard for next year, £30.00 per wear isn’t too bad.

5. Fire Jumper

So to start the list of here is a Christmas jumper with a hole in the middle. The idea of this jumper is that you stick your phone in the hole and it has a looped video with a fire. This little party trick will set you back £35.99, I would find it a little annoying, if you get a phone call then you are going to have to scramble around with your jumper and inevitably, you will drop your phone on the floor. Smashing!

Tell us what you think

March 8, 2016by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized

Take Part in Our Anonymous Customer Feedback Survey.

We’re constantly looking to develop our brand and understand how our customers feel about us. We’d be very grateful if you could complete this 5min anonymous survey on Survey Monkey to help us.

Thank you in advance!
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GBXS53C

Murmuration of starlings

March 3, 2016by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized tagged birds, murmuration, nature, starlings

The other day just after one of our team members finished work he noticed some starlings fluttering around and decided to take a short video. It is amazing how these birds fly together and create amazing flowing cloud like shapes, a beautiful bit of nature to sit back and enjoy.

Ever wondered why starlings murmurate? Can understanding this help stop their decline?

Take part in the Starling Survey now!

Starlings often form large groups and undertake spectacular aerial displays known as murmurations. Little is known about why this occurs. Our starling survey aims to address the murmuration mystery using potentially a very large dataset, provided by people across the UK.

Last year over 1,600 sightings revealed some interesting results about location and duration of murmurations. Have a look at the 2014 murmuration map!

Updated Granny Annexe Brochure

February 15, 2016by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized

We’ve recently updated our Granny Annexe brochure.

If you’re thinking of getting your Granny Annexe project underway, download our brochure today.

Our Granny Annexe brochure contains 24 pages packed full of photos to give you a great idea of what your Granny Annexe could look like.

You can see some of our recently built Granny Annexe homes plus example prices, optional extras, example floor plans, 3D models and more . . .

Once you’ve had a look and taken time to discuss with your family, contact us so we can arrange for a site survey. You can find out more about our site surveys here.

Scheduled Website Maintenance

February 3, 2016by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized

Please be aware that our website will be undergoing routine maintenance from midnight until 2:00am on 4th February 2016.

This means our website will not be operational during that period.

We do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We’ve Extended our 2015 Granny Annexe Prices

February 3, 2016by Granny Annexe in Uncategorized

We’ve extended our 2015 prices until midnight on Monday 8th February 2016, especially for you.

This means we’ve given you an extra week to order your Granny Annexe.

To proceed with your Granny Annexe quotation, simply contact your Surveyor by telephone or email. You can also contact the main office on 0800 334 5774 or email info@grannyannexe.com

To secure your annexe at 2015 prices, you’ll need to pay the 10% deposit and planning fee of £1,672.00 inc. VAT.

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Uncategorized

Layouts that work for you

What factors are important when choosing your layout?

Garden space and layout

Can planning rules effect layout?

Facilities and services

Best annexes for small spaces

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

Independent living in the heart of the family

Example 1 – The Studio Annexe Extension

WxDxH 4.0m x 6.0m x 3.08m

External Area 24m2

£58,700 inc. VAT

Example 2 – The double bedroom Annexe Extension

WxDxH 4.0m x 8.0m x 3.08m

External Area 32m2

£69,600 inc. VAT

Example 3 – The Wrap-around Annexe Extension

WxDxH 7.0m x 6.0m x 3.08m

External Area 30m2

£68,600 inc. VAT

Versatility and Style

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

Planning Permission

Larger Annexes

Optional Extras

Adding value to your home

How much does an annexe cost to maintain?

How does the cost of an annexe compare to a similarly sized bungalow?

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

While it’s fresh in your mind why not download a free brochure

The Christmas Waistcoat

2. Dinner Jumper

3. Unrelated Christmas Animals

4. Christmas Suit

5. Fire Jumper

Take Part in Our Anonymous Customer Feedback Survey.

Starling Survey by the

We’ve recently updated our Granny Annexe brochure.

If you’re thinking of getting your Granny Annexe project underway, download our brochure today.

Please be aware that our website will be undergoing routine maintenance from midnight until 2:00am on 4th February 2016.

We’ve extended our 2015 prices until midnight on Monday 8th February 2016, especially for you.

This means we’ve given you an extra week to order your Granny Annexe.

Recently Completed

Request a free site survey

Order a free brochure to be posted to your home

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