What started with one granny flat in 2011 has grown into more than 1,500 granny flat projects across Newcastle, the Hunter Region, the Central Coast, Port Stephens and beyond.
This milestone is an opportunity to say a genuine thank you to everyone who has been part of the Backyard Grannys journey.
To the thousands of customers who have trusted us to help create more space, bring family closer, generate extra income or make better use of their property - thank you. And to our team members, trades, suppliers and supporters who have helped us deliver more than 1,500 projects over the past 15 years, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Back in 2011, our founder Alex saw an opportunity to create a business dedicated specifically to granny flats.
At the time, granny flats were often treated as a small add-on to a larger building business. Backyard Grannys was created to do things differently.
The goal was simple: specialise in granny flats and help people understand not just what they could build, but what they should build for their property, goals and future.
Since then, the business has grown considerably, but that focus has remained the same.
Today, our team helps customers through the full journey, from design and approvals through to construction.
Hear from our founder, Alex, as he shares how Backyard Grannys started, how the business has grown and what has stayed the same along the way.
Over the past 15 years, Backyard Grannys has completed more than 1,500 projects.
Behind that number are thousands of individual reasons for building.
For some customers, a granny flat has created a home for ageing parents while keeping family close.
For others, it has created more independence for adult children, additional space for a growing family, a home office or a flexible space that can change as life does.
For investors, granny flats have also provided an opportunity to generate additional rental income and make better use of an existing property.
Every project is different, which is exactly why we have always believed good advice needs to come before the build.
A lot has changed over the past 15 years.
Design trends have changed. Approval pathways have evolved. Materials, technology and the way people use their homes have changed too.
But one thing has not.
For us, it has never just been about what you can build. It is about what you should build.
That means looking at the property, the customer's goals, their budget and how the space will actually be used.
Sometimes that means helping a customer refine an idea. Sometimes it means showing them an option they had not considered.
And sometimes it means being honest when something is not the right fit.
That approach has been central to Backyard Grannys from the beginning and will continue to shape the way we work.
Reaching 15 years has only been possible because of the people behind the business.
Over that time, Backyard Grannys has grown from a small operation into a team of people across sales, design, approvals, estimating, construction, project management and customer support.
We are also fortunate to work with a network of trades and suppliers who help bring each project to life.
Some members of the team have been part of Backyard Grannys for more than a decade, contributing not only to the growth of the business, but also to the experience we provide our customers.
When we recently brought everyone together to celebrate 15 years, it was a chance to recognise the enormous amount of work, care and experience that sits behind more than 1,500 completed projects.
While we are proud of what Backyard Grannys has achieved, none of it would have been possible without our customers.
To every person who has trusted us with their build, thank you.
To those who have recommended Backyard Grannys to family, friends and neighbours, thank you.
And to everyone who has followed the business, visited one of our displays, attended an information session, asked us for advice or supported us along the way, thank you.
Being invited into someone's backyard and trusted with a significant investment is something we never take for granted.
We are incredibly grateful to have been part of so many homes, backyards and stories over the past 15 years.
While this anniversary has given us a chance to look back, we are equally excited about what comes next.
Backyard Grannys continues to grow, and we are currently preparing for one of the biggest next steps in the company's history.
Soon our customers will have access to an entirely new way to explore granny flat design, understand the building process and make more confident decisions about their project.
It represents the next chapter for Backyard Grannys while staying true to the same philosophy that has guided us since 2011.
Good advice. Transparency. Quality construction.
And helping every customer work out not just what they can build, but what they should build.
Stay tuned - more to be revealed very soon... Here is to the next 15 years!
The Backyard Grannys Team
Thinking about what could be possible on your property?
Our team can help you understand your options, from design and approvals through to construction.