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How to Successfully Plan a Granny Flat Project

Before you pick out your paint colors, before you’ve chosen your cabinets, and before you’ve invited your new tenants (or guests!), there is a whole bunch of planning involved in building a granny flat…

I’ve coined a method that helps my clients prepare for a successful granny flat project. It’s called The FLAT Method.

Here’s how it works:

F – Find out Eligibility

Verify if you are allowed to build a granny flat in your neighborhood. Different cities have different rules, so you should check with your local municipality.

L – List Your Priorities

Prioritize your “must haves” and your “nice to haves.” For example: It’d be nice to have a jacuzzi in the bathroom, but we must have a toilet be able to fit in there, too!

A – Assess Your Budget

Make sure you’ve lined up enough money to complete your project. For a less stressful approach, you should shoot for knowing how much everything will cost before you start anything. You don’t want to ballpark a number and hope for the best. It’s easy to get carried away by your vision and next thing you know you’re spending double! If my math is right, that’s triple the headache.

T – Take Time to Plan

In my line of work, planning is like oxygen. It’s your lifeline. It’s the most important part of your project. I over-emphasize the importance of planning, not only in my book, Remodel Success, but also when working with my clients. Planning on the fly absolutely does not cut it. What it does cut is your bank account and increases your budget…guaranteed..

Not So Fun fact: 80% of change orders are a result of homeowners starting a project without a plan.

So, if you don’t have a well-thought out plan before construction starts, your project is going to fall “flat” before you finish.

Watch my interview on KTLA about planning your granny flat project here!