Most cabins and granny flats are either entirely or partially prefabricated. That means they’ve been designed and constructed offsite, using the same materials and processes as regular houses, and transported already assembled, or partially so, to your site. From there, the dwelling is connected to the necessary services and the fittings and finishes are completed by the same building company.
Flatpack cabins and granny flats (also known as kit homes) are similar to prefabricated homes in that they’re transported in pieces to a site, except that it’s left to the owner to construct or arrange to have their cabin or granny flat constructed. You must also arrange for services to be connected, fittings to be outfitted and installed, and for finishes (like painting, carpeting, etc) to be completed.
The average flatpack cabin or granny flat will set you back around $20,000, though some are going for as little as $10,000. Again, this is because you’re left with the task of assembling and finishing the dwelling off. Prefabricated cabins range from $50,000 upwards, while granny flats start at around $80,000 (the average cost is between $110,000 and $120,000).
But unless you’re looking at turnkey options, a $110,000 prefabricated granny flat usually only covers the cost of construction, transportation and assembly.
All other costs, such as groundwork, concrete slabs, connection to water and other utilities can be arranged by the building company, but cost extra. You can also choose your own bathroom and kitchen fittings, as well as carpets and painting, at additional costs. The difference, then, in the price of a flatpack or prefabricated dwelling is the assembly and labour costs.
A turnkey price should include many of the typical exclusions of a prefabricated granny flat or cabin, such as connection to services, excavation, internal and external finishes, wall tiles and painting, hot water system, and so forth. Most builders don’t advertise turnkey prices, but you can request them when sourcing quotes. This evens the playing field between builders and allows you to accurately compare each quote to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Researching granny flat, prefabricated homes or relocatable home options?
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