We’re building - would you include a granny-flat?

[Cherrypips]

We are (still) in the process of planning our new-build home.

My latest wish-list want is a granny flat, instead of a garage. My idea is practical in that we can have my fit-for-for-now Mum stay there later on. (when she finally decides it may be more practical than living in the middle of the countryside about 15 miles away).
In the meantime, our teen DD says it would be perfect for her - the idea of not being woken up by late night revelry sounds very appealing.
We have the space, just wanted some folks’ opinions/feedback.
Thanks

It’s impossible to say without more information but in general I’d prefer a garage.

I would do this in a heartbeat if I had the space.

Guest space, potential to let to lodger if we fell on harder times, au pair, future elderly parent, somewhere to go and hide when the family are annoying me

In a heartbeat I tell you!!

I think it sounds very sensible. As you say good for a teenager, good for future care of parents, also good for visitors who might appreciate their own space. Would you put a kitchen/kitchenette in there as well as bedroom and bathroom? If I was buying a property having one would be a big tick. As long as you’ve plenty of other space for parking? And plenty of other storage for all the crap that usually lives in garages!

Yep do it!

I'd definitely do it. In fact, we've talked about it as we suspect things might become more difficult due to the economy for our kids and having somewhere they could live 'independently' whilst hopefully being able to save would be great. (I. E. In their own filth and not messing up my house at the age of 20plus ).

Not so sold on the in laws living with us, mind.

Depends what you and DH (and your DM) would want to do in the event your DM become unwell or inform, or have dementia, and needed significant care, as between a third and a quarter of people do. Recommend Atol Gawande’s book, Being Mortal, about the difficult issues around that.

A teen doesn’t need a self contained space.

And I don’t think it’s actually good for teens to have “their own” granny flat.

We would include a small kitchen bar, like in some hotels, ensuite and at present, are looking at putting a mezzanine level sleeping area. It would have a door to the back garden too, and a connecting door to the utility room of the main house.
I love the idea, and in future, it would be great for guests and returning family (neither of our kids want to stay in their home country at present)

I’d like a granny flat for guests but not at the expense of a garage. Where are you supposed to keep stuff if you don’t have a garage? And I wouldn’t allow a teen to live in there and not integrate with the family.

Loopytiles but the adults might want them to

When DD has her friends round they take over the living room, so we retire upstairs to watch TV.

When I was growing up one of my friends had a basement granny flat in their parents house. It was THE BEST THING EVER.

I would be careful about installing kitchen (according to plans anyway) cos I think if it does it could/might mean extra council tax (band A) iirc

We have friends that are planning same thing for her Mum, but in more immediate timescale to yours

Sounds a good idea. If you're going to all the trouble of designing and building your own house, I'd say your number one priority is to build what you want to live in - that's the whole point. You may end up with something niche from the point of view of resale, but there will be someone out there for whom it's perfect.

On a detailed level, how easy will your planned mezzanine be to remove/alter? By the time your DM becomes too frail to live independently, I doubt she'll be able to handle a mezzanine sleeping area.

mezzanine level sleeping area

If it is planned as a 'granny annex' i would be concentrating on accessibility, starting with a step free shower.

Speak with local council as you may well be opening yourselves up to two lots of council tax. And also make sure your bedroom has a fire escape window . Your architect or Concept Planner will be able to advice on universal space planning ie wheelchair friendly bathrooms and bedroom space . Maybe not so conducive with mezzanine space ?!
In general, the older the inhabitants the less keen on stairs they become. The reality of a fall and the accompanying serious consequences, make older people so much more aware of danger of stairs and slipping on baths etc that is youngsters don't even contemplate.

The mezzanine sleeping area would be a no no for me if you are thinking in terms of moving an elderly relative in. I would focus on sleeping/ sitting area plus level access shower room.

Id definitely do it

A very tiny kitchen and a mezzanine bedroom will not suit an elderly relative in years to come.
I would carefully think that through

The mezzanine would not be the sleeping area once mobility is an issue - it would be reconfigured to ground floor level, but would be useful longer term for able guests.
We plan to have a big outdoor store for garden equipment etc and there is a huge walk-in room (which was going to be the extra room which now we don’t need) finished with attic trusses for anything else.

I will need to look into council tax though, it won’t be a full kitchen, one of those very compact ones you see in some trendy hotels.

Yes to annexe and build car port instead of garage. Will definitely improve value of your home

We are building at the moment and have included a large luxury hotel style room with a European laundry and small kitchen. It has a lot of clever storage and separate entrance. We will have elderly parents with us and later use it as an income stream

I would absolutely do it. I know people who have one and it has been variously used as elderly parent/ teenagers/young accommodation and as an income stream. Separate entrance is crucial (but also useful if you have a door into the main house)

Guest space, potential to let to lodger if we fell on harder times, au pair, future elderly parent, somewhere to go and hide when the family are annoying me

I'd also do it in a heartbeat if I was building somewhere, and would also add "Dower House for myself" to its possible uses - when I am older myself, don't want to run a full house, don't want to move....