At DC House, we specialise in building high-quality, fully approved granny flats across Queensland, and right now, demand has never been stronger. Whether you’re looking to create extra space for family, earn rental income, or add long-term value to your property, a DC House Granny Flat is a smart, flexible solution that delivers on all fronts.
We offer turnkey granny flats designed to suit your block, your lifestyle, and your budget, with everything managed in-house from council approvals to final handover. Our builds are fast, fixed-price, and fully customisable, so you know exactly what to expect from day one.
But not all granny flats, and not all builders, are equal!
The Builder You Choose Makes All the Difference
Granny flats are having a moment in Queensland and for good reason. Whether it’s creating space for extended family, unlocking rental income, or boosting long-term property value, homeowners are increasingly turning to secondary dwellings as a smart, flexible option.
But the success of a granny flat project hinges on one thing above all else: the builder.
Choose right, and your project will run smoothly from council approval to handover. Choose wrong, and you could be left dealing with cost blowouts, delays, or worse, non-compliant structures that can’t be legally rented. It’s a common trap. Some homeowners are lured in by too-good-to-be-true quotes, only to discover the fine print excludes key elements like site prep, service connections, or even basic approvals. These missteps are echoed in industry insights from both Premier Homes VIC and FTCC, where poor builder selection continues to cause financial and emotional stress.
This guide is here to cut through the noise. You’ll find a practical checklist, a real-life cautionary tale, and a side-by-side comparison to help you weigh up your options. Because when you’re investing in a granny flat, you’re not just adding square metres, you’re building future value. And that starts with the right builder.
- The Builder You Choose Makes All the Difference
- What Sets a Great Granny Flat Builder Apart
- A Hard Lesson: When Cheap Comes at a Cost
- Turnkey vs. Shell-Only: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
- Builder Checklist: What Every Homeowner Should Ask
- Smart Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- The Right Builder Changes Everything
What Sets a Great Granny Flat Builder Apart
Not all builders are built the same, especially when it comes to granny flats. The right granny flat builder brings more than just construction know-how. They understand the nuances of small-scale dwellings, shifting regulations, and how to make the most of every square metre on your block.
Local Experience That Delivers
It’s easy to be impressed by a glossy portfolio or big promises. But when you’re building a granny flat, experience has to be specific. A builder might have decades of general residential work under their belt, but granny flats are a different game. From compact layouts to smart use of land and unique site challenges, you want a builder who’s done it before and done it well.
Council Knowledge is Critical
Granny flats are governed by a tangle of local rules: maximum floor sizes, setback requirements, and zoning limits. A good builder won’t just know the building code, they’ll know your council. They’ll manage the red tape so you’re not left dealing with delays or denied approvals. To get a head start, it’s worth reviewing the Queensland Government granny flat planning guidelines.
Custom Builds That Actually Suit Your Block
No two blocks are the same. A great granny flat builder knows how to adjust the design to fit your land, not the other way around. That means accounting for slope, orientation, privacy, and access. A cookie-cutter layout can compromise liveability, rental appeal, or future resale. Smart design equals long-term gain.
End-to-End Services Matter
You shouldn’t have to juggle trades, certifiers, and council applications yourself. Builders offering full-service, turnkey solutions handle everything, from design and compliance to site prep and final handover. It’s faster, less stressful, and reduces the risk of something falling through the cracks. And when it comes to secondary dwellings, that peace of mind is worth every cent.
A Hard Lesson: When Cheap Comes at a Cost
When the Martins first started planning their granny flat, their goal was simple, build a space out back for their ageing mum that wouldn’t break the bank. They compared quotes from three builders. One stood out, offering what looked like the same size build for nearly $30,000 less. They signed the dotted line, feeling like they’d just scored a bargain.
But the cracks showed early, literally and figuratively. Council approvals? Not included. Suddenly, the Martins were scrambling to find a private certifier and navigate zoning rules they didn’t understand. Site works weren’t factored into the price either, and connecting power and plumbing added thousands more. Worse still, the builder’s timeline blew out week after week with little explanation. A 16-week build dragged past six months.
By the time the keys were finally handed over, the total cost had soared well above the original “cheap” quote and well above what a full-service builder would’ve charged from the start.
Emotionally, it took its toll. The stress, the uncertainty, the family tension while Mum stayed in temporary accommodation. It wasn’t just money they lost, it was peace of mind.
The lesson? In building, as in life, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Turnkey vs. Shell-Only: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when choosing a granny flat builder is whether to go with a turnkey solution or a shell-only package. On paper, shell-only builds can look more affordable, but once you factor in the extras (and the stress), that saving can vanish fast.
Let’s break it down:
| Feature | Turnkey Builder (e.g. DC House) | Shell-Only Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Council approval management | ✅ Included | ❌ Homeowner responsibility |
| Fixed-price contract | ✅ Clear & upfront | ⚠️ Prone to variations |
| Site prep & services connection | ✅ Included | ❌ Often excluded |
| Design flexibility | ✅ Customisable | 🚫 Limited |
| Time to completion | ⏱️ 12–16 weeks | ⌛ Unpredictable |
A turnkey builder handles everything—design, approvals, site works, utility connections, compliance, and final fit-off. You deal with one team from start to finish, and the price you’re quoted is the price you pay. It’s streamlined, predictable, and you’re not left managing ten different contractors mid-build.
With a shell-only builder, you’re essentially buying the frame and shell. Everything else? That’s on you. That includes finding your own certifiers, tradies, and organising power, water, sewer, and more. It’s not just time-consuming—it’s risky, especially if you’re not experienced in construction project management.
If you want a granny flat built right, without the hidden surprises or endless back-and-forth, turnkey isn’t just convenient—it’s smart.
Builder Checklist: What Every Homeowner Should Ask
Before you sign anything, take five minutes to run through this checklist. It could save you months of stress and tens of thousands of dollars.
A trustworthy granny flat builder won’t just say the right things. They’ll back it up with the right paperwork, process, and people. Here’s what to ask (and what to expect) before you commit:
- Registered and insured
They should be licensed to build in Queensland and carry the appropriate insurances. No exceptions. - Proven granny flat experience
Not just general homes—ask to see completed granny flats and ask how many they’ve built in the past 12 months. - Clear pricing with no sneaky exclusions
Does the quote include site prep, power, plumbing, and approvals? If it looks low, it probably leaves a lot out. - Manages council approvals and compliance
You shouldn’t need to play project manager or learn the planning code. - Custom design options
The design should suit your block, your needs, and your budget—not just be pulled from a fixed template. - End-to-end service
From design to driveways and everything in between, the process should be managed by one team. - Consistent build times
Ask about timeframes—and real examples of recent builds. A reliable builder will give you a realistic estimate, not a sugar-coated promise. - Real reviews and local references
Check Google reviews. Ask for names of recent clients in your area. A good builder will never shy away from sharing them.
Tick these boxes, and you’re on solid ground. Skip them, and you could be building on shaky foundations.
Smart Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Choosing a granny flat builder isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about asking the right questions up front so you’re not left guessing later. Here’s a short list of conversation-starters every homeowner should bring to the table. If a builder dodges these or can’t answer confidently, that’s your cue to keep looking.
“Do you handle council submissions or will I need to hire a certifier?”
A quality builder should take care of approvals. If they handball it back to you, you’ll be stuck learning local planning laws, and footing the bill for external consultants.
“Is the quote fixed, or subject to site conditions?”
A fixed-price contract means no surprises. If they say “subject to change,” ask exactly what could change and by how much.
“Can I tweak the layout or finishes?”
Flexibility matters. A builder worth working with won’t lock you into cookie-cutter designs. Ask if you can move walls, change fixtures, or adjust materials.
“What’s included beyond the build—driveways, landscaping, fences?”
Some builders hand over the keys and leave you with a half-finished yard. Others (like DC House) include everything from turf to turn-key.
Asking early saves stress later. Don’t assume, clarify. The right builder will welcome these questions, not avoid them.
The Right Builder Changes Everything
A granny flat can be one of the smartest additions you make to your property, but only if it’s done properly. The builder you choose will shape not just the build itself, but your entire experience, how smoothly it runs, how much it costs, and how valuable it is in the long term.
From council approvals to final finishes, a reliable granny flat builder removes the stress and delivers results that last. You want transparency, proven experience, and a team who knows how to maximise your block, without cutting corners.
At DC House, we don’t just build granny flats. We manage the full process from start to finish, with no hidden costs, no loose ends, and no surprises.
