Revolutionising the granny flat industry

Multi award winning Australian company, Classic Kit Homes, is revolutionising the granny flat industry by offering its unique service online from the space of their office in Mudjimba, Queensland.

Heather Field, co-founder, said granny flats are no longer just for granny. “Anyone with a bit of space in their back yard who wants to provide a home for an elderly relative who wants to downsize and live closer for more security or a teenager who needs their own space, granny flats are a great option,” she said.

“Instead of going through costly renovations and expansion, you can use the space you already have.”

With many councils across the country amending the rules to allow granny flats to considered an investment property.

“Home owners can create positive cash flow by building a cottage for full time rent or an Airbnb or have office space to run their home business,” she said.

“Or you may need a music, games, exercise room, man or she cave, granny shack... or the parents want to help their kids with their mortgage, build the granny flat for them and move in and pay rent...the options are limited by your imagination.”

Tracey Carmichael, from Buderim did her investment in reverse. She had a 5 bed Queenslander with amazing views. “My children has moved out and the house was too big for just me,” she said. “But I didn’t want to sell it.

“I still needed somewhere to live and I didn’t want to buy another large home.”

Tracey built a 1 bed granny flat in her large front yard.

“I didn’t know if I could pull it off as a single woman but I had so much help and support, which helped make it possible,” she said.

“It was a punt I took to spend the money building a second dwelling so I could put the big house on Airbnb but it’s definitely paying off.

“You don’t have to be a granny to have a granny flat.”

Classic Kit Homes have supplied kit homes Aussie wide and throughout the Pacific since 1994 and are Australia's most awarded kit home company.

“I know it sounds funny, but we are the only kit home company that supplies the floors in our standard inclusions (from the stumps to the tongue and groove flooring, handrail, external steps, ramps etc),” Heather said.

“There is nothing more annoying than going to sign on the bottom line and finding out, you are up for another few thousand dollars in costs.

“We’ve had people come to us after finding out the price had increased over 70 when the specs were upped. That can add up to $25,000 more.  

With homes fully customisable (change plans, windows, roofs etc), Heather said they want the building of every kit home to be an exciting and stress-free experience, “We have an 8-step guide to help people achieve the home of their dreams,” she said.

Having won awards, in partnership with stakeholders, Classic Kit Homes understand there’s a lot to consider when designing, choosing and building a new home.

Right at the beginning of the project, they help navigate the paperwork, make connections with well reputable industry businesses, approvals and certifications, will visit the land and provide advice on the siting, and arrange for all materials to arrive to site.