Granny annexe for the garden - any recommendations?

[Fleetheart]

My Mum is getting more frail, I’m thinking maybe of getting an annexe built in the garden. But it’s a minefield - has anyone got any recommendations for companies or any thoughts and experiences to help me work out next steps?

I've just done a series of drawings for something similar for a client of mine. They failed at planning for a permeant extension type structure but succeeded when they proposed a cabin/caravan type thing that's technically 'movable'. You can get lovely ones that are kitted out. Let me see if I can find the details.

Please bear in mind you might be liable for a second council tax, as will future buyers. I hope you find a solution.

I can recall which company my sis in law used but veri similar to (or might be) https://www.primeoak.co.uk/products/oak-annexes/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwydSzBhBOEiwAj0XN4HhYqTf33rCLEP3xhX3V9rJTlMiRzGxvtBB7DKvoUf3eG4edHBbXABoC9FYQAvD_BwE

As well as the property aspects of this idea, you might want to visit the Elderly Parents forum here to discuss the potential pitfalls of having a frail elderly mother living with you.

These were suggested as an exemplar application by our local planning office
https://www.homelodge.co.uk/

These are awful 😢

thanks all. The Prime Oak look amazing, I had a look on Trust Pilot and there are mixed reviews - some are really positive, some the absolute opposite - it feels like a real step into the unknown as I’ve never done this kind of thing before.

Have you used them? They have really good reviews and seemed great when we visited the site?

Try Tuin- loads of ideas and advice

www.tuin.co.uk/

That's the one my sil used https://juliusbahn.co.uk/ As with others, reviews are mixed but sil is really good at researching such things and she's very happy with them

Please go over to the Elderly Parents board and find out more about the reality of doing this.

It's a huge huge minefield. Who will do the physical caring when/if it becomes necessary? What happens when/if they need more care than you can provide? Who keeps an eye on them when you go on holiday? Will they expect to join all of your social life and days out?

I grew up in this situation with a grandparent living in an annexe and there is no way I would do the same thing to my own family.

@EmotionalBlackmail , thank you. I too grew up in this household and I do get it. But I don’t think I can avoid it at the moment, and maybe nor do I want to. At the moment my parent is hundreds of miles away, and it’s really very awkward feeling responsible and having to rush there whenever there is some problem. My mum is reluctant to go into some kind of sheltered accommodation where she lives, she needs to move near me- and the reality is that if she wasn’t very near at hand to me (ie in a flat somewhere near) I would be faced with all those responsibilities but just not so close to home. It’s not ideal, but really what choice do I have .

Honestly, in your situation I'd look into extra care housing in your local area. Far more practical and doesn't come with the problems of having them in an annexe.

The first one I looked at on that link was £72K. That’s an awful lot of rent that you could pay in a nice sheltered housing block, plus you won’t annoy your neighbours.

What about mains water and sewerage - how does that work?

Please don't use these people. The product is OK, but nothing exceptional. However, the people are very difficult to work with and very aggressive. Read the contract very carefully as they have managed to "weaponise" the contract to minimise the work for them. I would never use them again.

Which company are you referring to, as there are a few people have talked about! Thanks!

On the current thread about holiday homes, someone posted a link to little space-efficient modular buildings made by a Danish or German company, and some looked quite attractive.