That said, it’s important to understand exactly what’s involved before you start selecting your staircase! From designs and approvals to costs and construction, creating a 2 storey granny flat comes with heaps of key factors to consider.
Thankfully, we’ve got you covered! Our all-encompassing guide to 2 storey granny flats includes everything you need to know before taking on a taller secondary dwelling. With the below advice under your belt, you’ll be enjoying those sweeping top-floor views in no time!
In short, yes. A granny flat can be 2 storey if it meets local council regulations, which will vary depending on your LGA.
While we recommend getting in touch with your local council to confirm which standards apply in your suburb, there are a few rules you can be sure of already.
For instance, a 2 storey granny flat cannot exceed a height of 8.5m or an interior living space of 60m2 – the same maximum floor space restrictions placed on single storey granny flats.
The Complying Development Code also states that the taller a building gets, the larger its rear and side setbacks will have to be to account for the extra height. As soon as your granny flat exceeds 3.8m in height, you’ll need to use the below formula to determine the required setbacks:
To learn more about tackling this particularly tedious stage of your project, check out our Ultimate Guide to Granny Flat Approvals.
There are a few additional considerations to factor in when it comes to designing a double storey granny flat. Below, we share tips on how to make the most of your space with some clever design choices.
A garage is technically classified as a non-habitable space, which means it won’t count towards the aforementioned maximum living area. In other words, you can enjoy the many benefits of a double garage downstairs (think storage, a workshop area, a man cave…) and a full 60m2 granny flat above!
Speaking of upstairs – it’s important to make the most of that extra height! So consider building a balcony onto your second storey. Again, balconies aren’t categorised as habitable, so you don’t have to worry about reducing any valuable living space inside to make up for it.
This smart addition will offer unbeatable vistas of the surrounding neighbourhood, more natural light in your home and a convenient spot to kick back and relax outdoors!
We recommend positioning your staircase up against the wall to minimise the amount of floor it covers, ideally where it won’t block any windows or natural light. To top it off, structure the space underneath your staircase for extra storage – a simple but sure-fire way to minimise clutter in more compact homes.
Need some more 2 storey granny flat design inspo? Next up, we showcase some of the winning 2 storey granny flats we’ve built in NSW!
Built as a first time investment property for owners living in the main house, this 2 storey granny flat in Broadmeadow faces a laneway at the back of the plot for unparalleled privacy.
Two bedrooms, a combined bathroom/laundry and a large kitchen and living area combine to form a seamless flow to the front door, which opens onto a pine deck. Here, the stairs are fitted with aluminum handrails and lead down to a double garage with plenty of room for two cars.
Designed with comfort and storage in mind, this granny flat shows exactly how to maximise your space.
This 2 story granny flat investment property in Stockton offers a 60m2 granny flat on the first floor complete with a double garage underneath. Head upstairs to enjoy a full kitchen, modern bathroom, open plan living area and outdoor deck.
Completed in just 12 weeks for a total of $174,000, this granny flat (plus one half of the garage) was soon earning its owner a rental return of $320 per week! That’s a chunky 9.5% return on investment, not to mention the added bonus of some extra garage space for the primary dwelling.
Another one of our favourite 2 storey granny flat builds, this modern rental home in Woy Woy features a double skillion roof, Colorbond cladding and a tiled upstairs patio. Inside, it includes two bright bedrooms, an open plan kitchen, living and dining area, and a spacious bathroom – all on the top floor. Below, you’ll find two separate single garages with ample storage.
Completed on time, on budget and with minimal disruption to tenants in the main dwelling, it’s safe to say this clever design was a success!
But don’t take our word for it. See what the Sutton’s had to say below:
"At the beginning of our project discussing concepts and plans, throughout the build and to the final collection of keys, the team at Backyard Grannys has been extremely professional, dedicated and responsive. Everyone we dealt with was friendly, knowledgeable and we always felt they were genuinely interested in our project. We loved the regular updates they sent us throughout the build and the open communication they maintained helped make sure any potential issues were dealt with before even arising."
Jye & Emilie Sutton
Loving these layouts? For more information on possible floor plans, read our Ultimate Guide to Granny Flat Designs.
While 2 storey granny flats are a popular choice for investors and families who have more land to work with, the added height generally means a higher price tag as well. Essentially, this granny flat will need more structural and foundation work than a single storey alternative to ensure it can support both levels – a critical construction step that should never be skimped on.
So how much does a double storey granny flat cost?
Our research suggests that 2 storey granny flats are being offered for anywhere from $190,000 to $290,000. But take that with a grain of salt. Too often, kit home starting prices exclude hidden costs that conveniently rack up after you sign on the dotted line…
To get a more accurate total cost, we looked at complete prices and found a range between $215,000 and $280,000. These figures include expenses such as design and approval fees, site and construction costs, and any selections or extra features.
$30,000 is quite a discrepancy for that minimum price point – which is why we’re firm believers in confirming the full turnkey cost before any building begins. That way, you can rest easy knowing there’ll be no nasty surprises to blow your budget down the line.
To learn more about navigating the financials of your double storey dwelling, head over to our Ultimate Guide to Granny Flat Prices.
Building any type of granny flat involves multiple stages, a process that generally takes 12–14 weeks from the start of construction to handover.
Once you’ve secured council approval and are ready to kickstart construction, it’s time to prepare the site. Your builder will remove any debris or barriers obstructing the build to ensure sufficient space in your backyard with minimal disruption to the principal dwelling.
Learn more about site prep for 2 storey granny flats.
Next up will be forming and pouring the slab, as well as constructing a timber frame.
Once the form boards have been erected, waffle pods will be installed to facilitate accurate specification of concrete quantities, cut waste and drive efficiency. Reinforcing steel may also be used to minimise cracking and boost the slab’s strength.
After a certifier has inspected the slab, we’ll pour the concrete and install a termite protection barrier if recommended. Then comes the ground floor frame and second floor system.
To finish off this stage, your scaffold will be erected and frames and trusses will be stood on the second floor.
Learn more about slab and frame construction for 2 storey granny flats.
A real milestone in your 2 storey granny flat build, the lock up stage involves enclosing the home.
To do this, your builder will install its roof, windows and doors, clad the garage and lay external brickwork.
And if you’re including a patio, it will be waterproofed now in preparation for tiling at a later stage. Lastly, any external stairs will be built and the site scaffold will be removed.
Once fully sealed, your granny flat will be good to go for interior construction!
Learn more about lock up for 2 storey granny flats.
As they say, it’s what’s on the inside that counts! And the same holds true for your granny flat.
At this stage, your builder will work on the home’s interior features, starting with preparation for electricals and plumbing, as well as insulation. Gyprock will also be installed throughout the granny flat, as well as garage roller doors.
Then it’s onto the bathroom(s). After waterproofing the floor and shower walls – a process that generally takes about two days – it’s time to get tiling!
Next, the kitchen will be installed while carpenters work on the mould out, a step that includes architraves, skirting and doors. The painter is the next trade in before your builder completes the plumbing and electrical fit off.
Floors are then covered, be it with carpet, vinyl planks or another material of your choosing. Then it’s time for the finishing touches, from shower screens to kitchen splashbacks.
Learn more about internal linings and fit off for 2 storey granny flats.
Last but certainly not least, a pre-handover inspection should be performed. At Backyard Grannys, this key milestone is called the Practical Completion meeting. Here, one of our Directors will meet you onsite to review the work and confirm any outstanding actions that need to be made. You’ll be asked to check out every room and its features carefully to ensure they look and work as intended.
Once we’ve signed off on all paperwork for the Private Certifier to issue the Occupation Certificate, you’ll get the keys to your new granny flat! There’s nothing left to do now except pop some champagne and settle in!
Learn more about final inspection for 2 storey granny flats.
If that extra floor sounds like the right choice for your property, our expert team is here to help you get your project up and running! Whether you’re based in Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Hunter Valley, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Sydney or the Central Coast, we can create your dream granny flat on time and within budget.
To secure your free site inspection, simply fill out the quick form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!