Granny flats, also known as secondary dwellings, have surged in popularity across Australia in recent years as homeowners seek to maximise living space on their properties. These self-contained structures provide extra accommodation while allowing multigenerational families to live together on one lot.
However, some entrepreneurial homeowners have realised granny flats can serve a dual purpose – creating an ideal workspace separate from the main house. Converting an unused granny flat into a small business office provides a range of benefits.
A dedicated workspace outside the home allows small business owners to separate their work and home life. The flexibility of working in a granny flat also enables entrepreneurs to work non-traditional hours without disturbing family members. Additionally, utilising an existing granny flat can provide significant cost savings over leasing traditional office space and eliminate daily commuting costs.
Benefits of Using a Granny Flat for Your Small Business
A dedicated workspace outside the main home clearly separates your business and family life. The physical and mental demarcation between work and home enabled by working in a granny flat allows you to be more present and focused on each realm. Many small business owners find this leads to greater productivity and less burnout.
Utilising a granny flat also provides the flexibility to work non-traditional hours without disturbing loved ones. For entrepreneurs with unique business needs, keeping irregular hours or accommodating overseas clients can be seamlessly integrated by working from the granny flat office. You can take early morning or late night work calls without awakening family members.
Renting traditional office space represents a significant expense, especially in the startup phase of a business. The costs of leasing and furnishing even a small office can deter aspiring entrepreneurs from turning their business ideas into reality. Converting an existing granny flat to commercial use allows small business owners to save substantially on overhead costs like rent, utilities, parking, and office furnishings.
Work-related commuting is also minimised or eliminated when working from home, saving both time and money spent on fuel and transportation. Reduced commuting also provides environmental benefits, with less fuel usage and emissions.
Purpose-built granny flats often incorporate amenities ideal for a workspace, like a separate entrance, bathroom, and kitchenette. This built-in infrastructure enables the granny flat to operate functionally as an independent office space. You also get complete control over the layout, design elements, decorations, and specialised equipment that best serve your business needs. The flexibility allows you to customise the granny flat for optimal productivity.
Considerations Before Converting a Granny Flat
While using an existing granny flat for your small business can provide many advantages, there are several important considerations to weigh first. One of the primary factors is checking your local council regulations regarding the approved use of granny flats for commercial purposes.
Some councils prohibit running a business from a granny flat, while others impose restrictions, allowing only office-based work with no customer visits. Understanding the rules in your area is essential for moving forward.
If you live in a homeowner’s association community, check the bylaws and requirements around utilising granny flats for business purposes. You may need to submit an application and get formal approval before undertaking any conversion plans. Converting an existing granny flat optimised for residential living into an efficient workspace will likely require renovations. Determine if planning permits, building permits or council approval are needed for any structural changes or upgrades to the utilities. Outdated electrical capacity may need upgrading to support office equipment, for example.
Take measurements and evaluate the existing layout of the granny flat. Consider if the available space can realistically accommodate your needs currently and in the future as your business grows. Most experts recommend a limited 60 sqm for a functional office space.
If you have any employees, clients or customers visiting the converted granny flat, assess accessibility accommodations like pathways, entryways, and restrooms. You want to make the space welcoming and usable for all.
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy regarding coverage for operating a business from your home. You may need to upgrade to a business use policy or add a rider to cover liability risks. The same applies to any associations using the granny flat as a short-term rental. Depending on your business activities, you may need a local business license, tax registrations or other legal requirements for official use in your workplace. Check with local authorities on regulations.
Develop a clear budget for the upfront costs of any renovations, furnishings and equipment needed to optimise the granny flat for commercial use before proceeding. Factor in expenses like signage, marketing, utility upgrades, and accessibility modifications as well.
Optimising the Granny Flat Design for Business Use
When renovating a granny flat into a workspace, focus on creating an open, multifunctional layout that supports your key work tasks and allows for flexibility. Incorporate elements like ample lighting, abundant power outlets, and strong internet and phone connections that enable productivity. If the granny flat is close to the main home, add noise-dampening accents like insulation and acoustic panels to minimise disturbances.
Include your brand identity in the design through colours, logo signage, style of decor and furnishings. If you will be meeting clients in the space, delineate a waiting area or reception zone. Install security features like cameras and alarms and secure wireless network access to protect your assets.
Structure the floor plan to have defined workspace areas for tasks requiring focus, along with open zones for collaboration. Build in storage systems like filing cabinets, shelves and closets to keep the space organised. Select furniture like modular desks, mobile pedestals and stackable chairs that allow you to reconfigure the layout as needed.
Make sure to accommodate any major equipment your business relies on, like printers, copiers, point-of-sale systems, special tech or machinery. The granny flat design should flexibly support both current and future business operations as you scale up. Keep some open space that gives you room to grow over time.
Other Potential Uses for a Granny Flat
Converting a granny flat into a small business workspace has many advantages; these structures can serve multiple purposes. Their versatility provides options to generate rental income or accommodate family needs now or in the future.
Renting out a granny flat on a short-term basis through platforms like Airbnb can provide supplemental revenue when not being used as your workspace. It offers a flexible way to offset mortgage costs and maximise the property’s earning potential.
Granny flats are also ideal for housing live-in caregivers, allowing them to assist elderly family members residing in the main house. They can likewise provide visiting friends and relatives with a private place to stay onsite.
Turning a granny flat into a hangout space gives teenagers their own separate area. The unit could also serve as an in-law suite for ageing parents or relatives while maintaining independence.
Renting the granny flat to long-term tenants is another income option for business use. The rental income can aid entrepreneurs in the early stages of a business.
With some equipment, a granny flat could also transform into a personal gym or yoga/fitness studio. Crafters might utilise the space for a workshop. It can even serve as a home classroom for those homeschooling children.
Turn Unused Space Into Your Own Private Workspace Oasis.
Transforming an underutilised granny flat into a functional home office provides entrepreneurs with a flexible, cost-effective workspace solution. With proper planning and design considerations, granny flats can be adapted to enable separation between work and personal life, accommodate unique business needs, and provide room to expand your venture. The versatility of granny flats allows you to maximise the possibilities of your property.
If you’re looking to refashion a granny flat into the ideal small business workspace, the team at Aaron’s Outdoors has the expertise to help. We offer complete design-build services to customise any granny flat renovation for optimal business use.
Our end-to-end approach handles all permits and regulations to seamlessly renovate your granny flat into an asset for your business. Contact Aaron’s Outdoors today to discuss unlocking the potential of your granny flat.
