Upgrading your home? When downsizing just isn’t your style and you want to maximise your space and uplift your design, there are a couple of things to consider. An upgrade is an upgrade for a reason. Maybe you want better and bolder? Or do you need the extra space to accommodate a growing family? Nonetheless, with Todd Devine Homes, you have options.
If you’re extending your home, you may have already factored in design and aesthetics. But what financial benefits can you expect from prefab granny flats vs. traditional extensions?
Todd Devine Homes can help you choose an upgrade that makes you excited to show your friends and family, and manage that carefully curated budget. Let’s take a look.
What is a Prefab Granny Flat?
Prefab (prefabricated) refers to a structure that is built off-site, typically in a controlled environment or facility, and then transported to your location for installation. A prefab granny flat is a prefabricated secondary structure that arrives ready for installation and is designed to be independent from the main property. Granny flats are usually characterised by a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space. However, they can be customised by the individual depending on their specific requests.
What are the features of a Prefab Granny Flat?
A prefab granny flat can be an efficient way to expand your home, as it allows you to customise the design and offers the following key features:
- They are generally cheaper to build due to bulk material purchasing and lower on-site labour costs.
- They are faster to build as the manufacturing process is expedited, and the structure arrives ready for installation.
- Due to the nature of the production, the general quality of a prefab granny flat is consistent and durable.
- With a prefab granny flat, you can customise your design, style and layout to get the most out of your new space.
What is a Traditional Extension?
A traditional extension is an additional structure that is built on-site and designed to complement the original style or material of the existing property structure. They aim to provide a seamless addition to the original structure by maintaining common building elements such as brick walls, timber windows and pitched roofs. It is common to expect a traditional extension to be added to the rear or side of a property.
What are the features of Traditional Extensions?
Traditional extensions offer features that differ slightly from prefab granny flats, including:
- Traditional extensions are designed to tailor to the existing property and can be modified according to style and design.
- As the extension is built on-site, it allows for seamless integration of the existing structure, ensuring that floors and ceilings match precisely to enhance a more natural element.
Traditional extensions, however, can take longer to build, with expected timeframes of around 4 to 8 months. And, of course, it can disrupt individuals living in the existing property whilst the extension is constructed.
As the purpose of a traditional extension is to integrate it seamlessly with your existing home, it can limit your choices as to where the extension is located and what modifications you can make.
Cost Comparison: Let’s Break It Down
An essential element when making the all-important decision for your home upgrade is the cost. Let’s break down the common costs you can expect with prefab granny flats Vs traditional extensions:
| Cost Features | Prefab Granny Flats | Traditional Extensions |
| Council Fees and Approvals | You should consider your council fees and approvals as extra costs of your prefab granny flat. | Council fees and approvals also apply to traditional extensions and can range from a few thousand dollars to above $10,000. |
| Site Preparation | N/A | Traditional extensions may be planned around terrain that is not yet suitable for construction and may require unforeseen site preparation, such as site levelling. |
| Utility Connections | Connecting your granny flat to your electricity or water can incur extra costs. | Extending your power, gas or water supply with a traditional extension is an additional cost to consider. |
| Demolition and Structural Alterations | N/A | Knocking down existing walls and features to ensure seamless expansion is possible adds to the additional costs of a traditional extension. |
| Labour Costs | N/A | As traditional extensions are constructed on-site, they incur higher labour costs. |
| Materials | N/A | Traditional extensions require higher material costs as individual materials are sourced, whereas with prefab granny flats, you can benefit from the cost-efficiency of bulk materials. |
Make a Cost-effective Choice with Todd Devine Homes
Todd Devine Homes is dedicated to helping Victorians make the transition to prefab. We understand that your home should be your own, which is why we are committed to building homes with a purpose and with your end goal in sight. You don’t need to compromise your budget. Your vision is our vision.
With us, you don’t need to sacrifice quality, design or style. Explore our options online today or speak to our team to start designing the upgrade of your dreams!
