The Granny Annexe Process: Planning Permission
This is the third in our series of blogs about The Granny Annexe Process with Family Annexe.
Read moreArchive for month: March, 2022
The Granny Annexe Process: Site Survey & Build Spec
If you are thinking of building a granny annexe in your garden, you will first need to know the step-by-step process involved, right through from initial enquiry to the finishing touches. Whether your annexe will be home for an elderly relative or provide additional space for your growing family, you’ll want to know what to expect from the process. At Family Annexe, we have an efficient seven-step process that has been designed to make your annexe experience completely stress-free and enjoyable.
In this series of blogs, we’re looking at the entire process of building a granny annexe with Family Annexe in detail. This is our second blog in the series covering the Family Annexe Process and the different stages involved in the building of your granny annexe. You can read the first blog in this series here to learn more about the initial steps involved in buying your granny annexe – the phone consultation, quote and drawings.
In this blog, we’ll be focusing on the next steps in the granny annexe process, step three, which is the site survey and step four – finalising the build spec of your granny annexe. Read on to find out more about each of these next stages.
Step Three – Site Survey
As discussed in our previous blog about the granny annexe process, in step two of the Family Annexe process, you will receive a detailed quote and drawings of your proposed granny annexe. If you’re happy with these and you agree with the proposal, step three of the process is the site survey and this is when your Family Annexe project manager will make an onsite visit to survey your garden in detail.
This survey is a crucial part of the granny annexe process as it ensures everything is 100% accurate before any work begins. In the early stages of the process, we use the measurements and details you give us to make our initial proposal, however during the site survey we will double-check these details and make sure all the measurements are totally accurate, and that the annexe will fit comfortably in your garden.
The project manager will also check the utilities such as water, drainage and electricity. Your annexe will need to be plumbed into your main house’s water supply and drains and also connected to the mains electricity supply so during the site survey, we will confirm that these utilities are all easily accessible or if additional work will need to be undertaken at additional cost, for example, if it is necessary to reroute drains.
The site survey will also give the project manager the opportunity to see if your annexe will potentially affect your neighbours, for example, ensuring it won’t overlook any windows of neighbouring homes when built.
Step Four – Finalise Build Spec
One of the most exciting steps during the granny annexe process with Family Annexe is finalising the build spec for your annexe. All our annexes all come fully fitted with everything you’d expect from a new-build home and all the essentials your loved one will need to be able to move in right away, including a fully fitted, high-quality kitchen and practical, tiled bathroom suite with premium fixtures and fittings. We also include laminate flooring, digital electric radiators, joinery, lighting and doors as standard in all of our annexe builds.
You can customise both the kitchen and bathroom of your granny annexe. All of our kitchens include a built-in oven (with extractor), LED downlights and sink as standard and you can choose from a range of kitchen units, handles and worktops. Bathroom options for your family annexe include a shower room or an accessible wet room for practicality.
At this stage in the granny annexe process, you also choose your desired internal finishes for your annexe, such as the type of flooring you want, and the worktop and cupboard colours you would prefer. You can even choose those little finishing touches such as door handles. We have a wide variety of different colours, styles and finishes to choose from, allowing you to completely customise the look and feel of your finished granny annexe.
At this stage, you will also choose the external specifications for your granny annexe such as the external cladding and roof styles, with both flat and pitched roofs available on our annexes. You can also choose your preferred windows and doors so that your finalised granny annexe looks exactly how you want it to both inside and out.
Get In Touch
If you would like to find out more about granny annexes, get in touch with Family Annexe. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution to elderly care.
Family Annexe has an efficient seven-step process, designed to make your annexe experience stress-free and enjoyable. This starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!
Signs That Your Elderly Parent Needs Additional Support
In this post, we’ll talk through some of the signs that your elderly parent needs additional support and the options available to them.
It can be really hard to watch your loved one struggle, more so if they don’t admit to needing assistance until their health declines severely or they’re in an accident.
As we get older, it can be to admit that we need help. Especially with things that were once so easy for us to do independently. So, for some of us, we can be hesitant to accept or even acknowledge change.
Due to this stubbornness, monitoring your parents’ health falls onto your shoulders. You should encourage them to plan financially and legally, and maybe research care options. And if your parent admits to needing assistance, you’re already prepared.
But how do you know if your elderly parent needs additional support?
Signs That Your Elderly Parent Needs Additional Support
There are quite a number of things to look out for that might suggest your loved one needs an extra hand.
Changes In Appearance
Sudden changes in your parents’ appearance may be something to pay attention to. Perhaps their clothes are too big from weight loss or they’ve dressed inappropriately due to difficulty dressing.
If your parent has noticeable weight loss, it could be due to difficult cooking or eating, or even a poor diet. Experiencing difficulty when cooking could be indicated by noticeable burns on arms or hands.
Although different to weight loss, malnutrition could also be a sign of underlying health problems.
Poor personal hygiene and poor oral hygiene may indicate a decline in personal care and infrequent bathing. This could be linked to a declining mental state or difficulty with mobility.
Changes In Behaviour And Cognitive State
Losing things of memory loss doesn’t always equate to bad health. But it’s important to monitor the frequency of such things happening, and if it relates to your elderly parent needing additional support.
Repetitive forgetfulness or memory loss can be a concerning cause of health decline. It’s a cause for worry when you’re unsure whether or not your parent is at risk or aware of their actions. Depending on the severity, and your availability, it may be a good idea to get a carer to make sure they’re safe while you’re not there.
You may also notice slight behavioural changes, such as a lack of motivation or loss of interest in hobbies. Maybe your elderly parent is showing increased agitation or sudden changes in their mood.
Neglecting Household Responsibilities
Sometimes, the appearance of our home can make a lot of difference. Untidy rooms can often reflect our current behaviour, mood, or health issue. Piles of dirty dishes or untouched laundry (clean or dirty). And keeping on top of housework can be extremely exhausting, particularly for those who are struggling.
It could be due to difficulty with mobility or supporting other peoples’ wellbeing, things which may be less of a problem when you’re younger. The environment you’re in can have a drastic impact on your attitude, mood, and outlook.
It can also be a health hazard if food isn’t thrown out and dust is being collected.
Aging is scary, and watching our parents age is scary, too. Regardless of age, we all worry about our parents’ health. But the difficulties of old age don’t necessarily mean losing independence or becoming unclean. Implementing the appropriate support can really help with the quality of your elderly parents’ lives, giving them companionship when you’re not able to.
What Can Family Annexe Provide?
Family Annexe builds annexes suitable to your circumstances. We have an experienced team that provide a unique solution for the care of your loved one. Each granny annexe comes with a 10 year warranty, and there’s a choice of one or two bedroom annexes.
Our annexes are fully fitted, ready for moving in right away. The colours and styles are all your choice because we want your loved one to be comfortable and happy.
What Are The Benefits Of A Granny Annexe?
Financial Benefits
Care home costs continue to increase, and not every elderly parent is happy to be at one. Additionally, granny annexes are a cost-effective alternative for your loved one.
So with a granny annexe, you can provide a happier living arrangement for your elderly parent and save money.
Typically, a granny annexe will pay for itself after two years, and it compares favourably against the average monthly cost of at-home care.
Multigenerational Living
Many people opt to have three generations living together. This lifestyle option means that grandparents can be a bigger part in the lives of their children and grandchildren. They can take on childcare, share responsibilities, and provide family with comfort knowing that they’re close by.
Accessibility
Annexes are built accessibly – a safe alternative for not just elderly people but relatives of any age with additional needs or a disability.
We’re an adaptable team, and we’re building for you. Our product can be altered to be suitable for disabled occupants. From wheelchair ramps to wider doorways, we can adjust our specifications to meet your family’s needs.
Contact Us
Get in touch with Family Annexe if you would like to know more about granny annexes. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution.
We have an efficient seven-step process that starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!
The Granny Annexe Process: Consultation & Quotes
If you are thinking of buying a granny annexe for your elderly loved one , you will probably want to know the step-by-step process that it will take, from you making that first enquiry to getting the keys to your new garden annexe.
In this series of blogs, we will look at the entire process of building a granny annexe with Family Annexe.
How To Know If You Need A Granny Annexe?
First of all, you need to know what a granny annexe is and if building one is right for you and your family. A grant annexe is a small building, similar to a shed or grange and is built somewhere on the property. This is is why you might see a granny annexe sometimes referred to as a garden annexe.
A granny annexe is a specially designed home that is built with older and less abled people in mind. All of our granny annexes have clever and innovative designs that make for a simple, easy to use space that your loved one will easily be able to manage comfortably.
If you are not sure if your loved one needs a granny annexe then keep a lookout for a few key things. If they are struggling to climb stairs, keep their house tidy or walk or stand for a long period of time then they might need to move into a home that is more manageable.
This doesn’t mean that your loved one has to move into a care home, and if you want to care for them it doesn’t mean they have to come and live in your house. If they are still able to manage on their own, they are just struggling with a few things then granny annexe is a perfect way to care for your elderly parents at home but still allow them to keep their independence.
If you think a granny annexe might be the right option for your loved one then you can call us for an easy, no-obligation, quote or if you still aren’t sure a member of our team will be happy to chat with you and help you decide if a granny annexe is right for you and your family.
Step One – Phone Consultation
The building process all starts with a simple phone call. This is just a free, no-obligation consultation and you don’t have to make any decisions just yet.
If you aren’t sure if a granny annexe is the right option for you and your family then you can always talk to a member of our team and get more information to help you make your decision. Don’t worry, we won’t try and push you into making a purchase right there and then.
We only want to make sure that you are making the right choice and that if you do choose to build a granny annexe. We want to make sure that you have all information you need before you make the decision.
If you do decide that you would like to build a granny annexe then you need to know what kind of granny annexe is right for you. you might need special requirements from your granny annexe and this phone consultation is a great way to find out what options are available when it comes to customizing your annexe or you can discuss designing your bespoke annexe if that is what you prefer.
Step Two – Quote and Drawings
After your phone, you will receive a quote and some drawings of what your granny annexe could look like. You don’t have to make your decision until you are happy with the design. We just want to make sure you have all the information that you need before you can decide if this annexe is right for you.
We will include a detailed breakdown of the cost and payment schedule. A detailed drawing and footprint of your annexe. When and how we will get planning permission. An estimated timeline. The details for our 10-year insurance guarantee.
Once you are happy with the design and the proposal then we can move on to the next step of the process and start putting the wheels in motion to build your granny annexe.
Get In Touch
If you would like to find out more about granny annexes, get in touch with Family Annexe. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution to elderly care.
Family Annexe has an efficient seven-step process, designed to make your annexe experience stress-free and enjoyable. This starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!
Can I Rent Out My Garden Annexe?
A garden annexe, also sometimes known as a garden room, granny annexe or summer house is a building in your garden that is separate from your main home.
Garden annexes have lots of uses from accommodation for elderly relatives to extra space for growing families.
Increasingly, many garden annexes are being used as guest accommodation and holiday lets.
If this is something you’re considering for your existing garden annexe or if you’re thinking of building a garden annexe to rent out, read on to find out more.
In this blog, we’ll look at the benefits of renting out a garden annexe, how to rent out a garden annexe and answer the question, ‘Can I rent out my garden annexe?’
What Are the Benefits of Renting Out A Garden Annexe?
So, what are some of the benefits of renting out your garden annexe?
Recoup your investment
Renting out your garden annexe as a holiday let is one way for you to recoup the investment you’ve made and can provide you with an additional income stream.
Meet new people
Turning your garden annexe into a holiday let is a way of meeting new people and introducing them to all that your local area has to offer. If you live in a place that is appealing to tourists, your garden annexe is likely to be in demand and guests will be grateful for the tips and insight you can offer to make the most of their stay.
Maintain your space and privacy
Unlike renting out a room or section of your home as a holiday let, renting out a garden annexe means you can have all the benefits of a holiday let whilst still maintaining your family’s space and privacy.
A garden annexe adds value to your home
If you’re considering building a garden annexe to rent out as a holiday home, a garden annexe can add considerable value to your home in the long term and make it more attractive to potential buyers in the future.
How To Rent Out A Garden Annexe
If you decide to rent out your garden annexe as a holiday home, there are a few things you’ll need to consider first.
You’ll need to make sure you have the required planning permission for your garden annexe and it’s worth checking if there are any local rules and regulations about short-term lets like the Greater London 90 Day Rule. You might also want to put insurance in place before accepting your first booking.
When you’re ready to rent out your annexe, there are lots of ways you can do this. Some people choose to advertise and rent out their annexe independently. Others use a third party to advertise their holiday let and manage bookings and payments.
Airbnb
Airbnb is a popular option for people looking to rent out their property, spare room or annexe to guests. Airbnb has a website and an app, allowing you to advertise your garden annexe to potential holidaymakers or people looking for short-term accommodation for business or pleasure.
On Airbnb, you can list your garden annexe, using high-quality photographs and a detailed description to attract guests. Bookings and payments are managed by Airbnb and it also offers AirCover to protect hosts against things like damage, unexpected cleaning costs and income loss.
Booking.com
Booking.com is another popular choice for people looking to rent out their garden annexe or other holiday property. On booking.com you can set house rules for your guests and request additional damage deposits, for security and peace of mind. You can also report guest misconduct and access 24/7 support. You can find out more about how it works here.
Alternative options
Airbnb and Booking.com are the two biggest competitors for letting out your garden annexe. However, with the rising popularity of self-catering holidays, there are lots of options for both holidaymakers and hosts looking to let their property short-term. If you’re thinking of renting out your garden annexe, you might also want to check out some of the alternatives like vrbo (Vacation Rentals By Owner), Expedia and FlipKey.
Other Uses For A Garden Annexe
If you have a garden annexe that you no longer use for its original purpose but you don’t want to rent it out as a holiday property, here are some alternative uses for a garden annexe that you might consider.
Home garden office
With working from home on the rise, having a separate area for work away from your living space, allows you to keep a work/life balance and prevents distractions and interruptions.
A workshop or studio
A garden annexe makes an ideal space to enjoy hobbies that need space or benefit from peace and quiet, like art, music, writing or crafts.
Games room or playroom
Your unused garden annexe could be turned into a games room or playroom. Whether you have young children or growing teenagers or you like the idea of a man cave, you could create a fun entertainment space or chill-out zone in your garden annexe.
Space for guests
A garden annexe provides excellent overnight accommodation for family and friends to stay over. It’s perfect for a big family Christmas, get-togethers or even for those unexpected guests that need a place to crash for a night or two.
See our recent blog Alternative Uses For Granny Flats for even more ideas.
Get In Touch
We hope this blog has answered the question ‘Can I rent out my garden annexe?’ If you would like to find out more about granny annexes, get in touch with Family Annexe. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution to elderly care.
Family Annexe has an efficient seven-step process, designed to make your annexe experience stress-free and enjoyable. This starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!