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What NOT to do When Building Your Granny Flat

Building a granny flat can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be a roller coaster of emotions if you have no idea what you’re getting into. There are plenty of ways to get it right, on time, and on budget. But, here are a few things to avoid…

Planning by the seat of your pants

Every detail down to the type and color of grout should be determined before one inch of your granny flat can be built. You need a crystal clear plan. Last minute decisions usually result in blowing your budget and your schedule. Maybe the refrigerator you picked out at the 11th hour doesn’t fit, or perhaps the the tile you fell in love with halfway through the project will take double the time to arrive than originally planned. Simple, yet easily forgettable details can mean significant costs.

Not getting permits

Permits are a MUST. At every stage of your granny flat project, whether it’s electrical, foundational, etc., you must have official permission from the city to move forward. Because if an issue arises and you don’t have a permit, your insurance won’t pay out. And though permits cost money, the cost of not having one is much more severe. There have even been deaths as a direct result of not having permits. So, be patient and build this into your timeline.

Not hiring a contractor

Some people think they can get away with having a handyman take care of building or helping you build an entire granny flat. That’s not gonna fly — legally or logistically. In the state of California, any work over $500 from a handyman is illegal. By law, you must hire a contractor for any work that costs more than that. Horror stories abound of people hiring handymen to “take care of” major issues or big jobs: Bathroom not being waterproofed correctly, kitchens taking six months instead of the originally promised two, inspectors shutting everything down because the foundation wasn’t up to standard. The list goes on and the damage potentially catastrophic.

Always hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor. Always.

Learn how to avoid more pitfalls in remodeling and building your granny flat here!