Affordable Melbourne granny flat (DPU) for extended family

Sometimes coming together as a family can offer much-needed care, support, and security. In suburban Melbourne, common family challenges were happily resolved by the cost-effective completion of a compliant granny flat in a Backyard Pod.

Jodi, a working mum on her own with a 4-year-old son, had been living with her mother, Margaret. Jodi’s grandmother had also occupied the same house. Sadly, Jodi’s grandmother passed away. It was now time to recover and re-assess living arrangements. What would be the most suitable, affordable property choice for this family group and their 70kg Rottweiler?

They had all been living in a two-storey, dual-occupancy house. Jodi and her son inhabited the top level while Margaret inhabited the ground level. The stairs between levels had become a problem, making shared roles and family life difficult. Jodi and Margaret considered selling and purchasing a four bedroom, single-storey house with plenty of living space. However, it soon became evident that this type of property would push them into a much more expensive price bracket.

After further contemplation, they decided the best option was a three bedroom house with potential for detached self-contained accommodation. This concept gave them a shared living arrangement with separation for individual retreat. A suitable house with a sizeable backyard was purchased. The search then began for an appropriate granny flat.

Traditional permanent structures proved to be quite expensive. “The price was almost the same as a minimum deposit for a house”, said Jodi.  Thankfully, they discovered the Backyard Pod, an affordable structure that offered the same beneficial components as the more expensive buildings. Jodi contacted Backyard Pods for a quote. The price was right on target which meant Jodi and Margaret’s vision could be comfortably realised.

The 8m x 4m pod included a kitchenette, ensuite, doggy door, and an open-plan living area with enough space for a couch and bed. A 4m x 1.5m verandah deck was attached to the front of the pod. “We designed the pod to be easily accessible,” said Jodi. “At the moment, my mother is very sprightly. But if she does require aged care in the future, we wanted to make sure the pod could be adapted to meet the needs of assisted living.”

The team from Backyard Pods were with Jodi and Margaret every step of the way. The pair didn’t need to consult an architect as a team member was able to design the pod for them. “The Backyard Pods people were fantastic. They kept in touch the whole time and were happy to help with any questions”, said Jodi. “They made the whole procedure much easier.”

When it came to actual construction, Backyard Pods recommended the services of one of their trusted Melbourne builder associates, Peter from Skills Unlimited.  https://www.skillsunlimited.com.au/  This also alleviated Jodi and Margaret from the search for a reputable builder. “Peter was terrific and had lots of good ideas. He went above and beyond the usual assistance you expect from a builder,” said Jodi. “He was dependable and punctual. If there was an issue with timekeeping, Peter would always let me know the night before his arrival.”

Peter was highly involved in everything. He assisted Jodi and Margaret with the complicated process of obtaining a Victorian building permit. When professional tradies were required, Peter made recommendations. Quotes were gathered and compared. Jodi and Margaret were under no obligation to use any of Peter’s recommendations either.

When it came to kitchen design, Peter accompanied Jodi and Margaret to Bunnings where they planned the kitchenette. Eventually, Jodi and Margaret chose Kitchen Shack for fittings.  https://www.kitchenshack.com.au/ After the flat-pack kitchen arrived fully assembled, Peter went ahead with the installation.

The build to lock-up stage took approximately 3½ months. An added bonus on completion was the increase in property value. The property went from three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two living areas to a total of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and three living areas. The economical backyard pod was a financial success.

“We are so happy with our granny flat pod. It was the ideal solution,” commented Jodi. “I’m so glad we chose Backyard Pods. Their hands-on assistance made the entire process flow smoothly.”

If you’re thinking about additional accommodation such as a teenage retreat, granny flat, guest apartment, or rental flat then consider a Backyard Pod. It’s economical and extremely practical. Backyard Pods can help you every step of the way from building approvals to concept designs. Get in touch with us today. Go to our contact page at https://www.backyardpods.com.au/contact/