How Did the Services of a Granny Flat Builder Help My Family? Unfortunately, for most of us , the reality of our living situation will, at some point, clash with our lifelong ambitions. My dwelling, for example, was the pride and joy of my family. It was the culmination of my ambitions, it was the most valuable asset I owned, and, if I’m being hon est, it was the personal proof I needed that I actually succeeded in life and achieved something I always thought possible: independence. But, after a couple of years I also started to experience a problem that is all too common for the vast majority of Au ssie families My once spacious property was not beginning to seem too small for the growing demands of my ever - increasing family. Kids happened, I changed jobs, my wife has started to pursue new hobbies, and little by little , the dwelling that once was more than enough for my ambitions was now starting to transform into a veritable prison for my loved ones’ activities. Clearly, something needed to be done. But what? The Sydney real estate market, even a couple of years ago, was in a place that wasn’t suitable for the fin ancial possibilities of the average Aussie family. I wanted more space, that’s true. In fact, I required it. But I wasn’t in a position to get a second mortgage only to move into a bigger dwelling. So, I did what most Australians seem to do in recent years when requiring more space. I utilised the services of a local granny flat builder and expanded my property’s usable space with an ADU. And you know what? I believe this was the most intelligent financial move of my life. It's A Practical Choice Per the regulations imposed via the State Environmental Planning Policy of 2021 , the maximum size of the ADUs constructed by even the best granny flat builders in Sydney cannot exceed 60 square meters. This doesn’t seem like much at first glance, but the median size of a regular rental unit in NSW is around 90 sqm. Yes, that’s a 33% difference. But on the other hand, the average median unit price in Sydney has recently surpassed the value of $950,000. An ADU, even when accounting for premium finishes, should , on the other hand , not cost you more than $200,000. Yes, a granny flat will be on average around 33% smaller than a regular unit . But it will also be around five times cheaper. From a financial standpoint, granny flats are one of the best real estate investments available to the average Aussie family. They are cheaper to build than duplexes or house attachments, they often only require a complying development certificate to start the building process , and on average, they can add around 15 - 20% to your main property’s market valuation. In essence, there are no downsides. When built by a granny flat builder, ADUs can increase your lot’s available living space, present you with secondary income opportunities, and also make your property easier to sell. Rental Income and ADUs Do you know why ADUs designed by the best granny flat builders are considered by many to be the number one solution for the house shortage affecting Australian cities? It’s quite simple , really. What other constructions are out there that can be finalised as quickly and as cheaply, while also presenting tenants with all the necessary conditions for proper living? ADUs are efficient, as they are constructed adjacent to already built properties, on plots of land that were not intended for major residential pr ojects. They are an alternative to housing blocks, they can revitalise communities, and, if we are being honest, they are a way to bring extra rental income directly into the pockets of Aussie families, skipping therefore intermediaries. The average rent per week, for an NSW - available unit , is, in January 2026, close to $7 50 . Let’s say , therefore , that you are planning to rent out your ADU built by the best granny flat builders in Sydney, for this much, and that you are aiming for an occupancy rate of around 90%. With some simple math, it turns out that your annual rental income, in this scenario, will come to around $35,000. Yes, you have to account for maintenance, taxes, and even potential issues with late payments. But overall, even in the most pessimistic of scenarios, your net rental income, per year, should surpass $25,000. So, in other words, if the construction made possible by the granny flat builder required an investment of $250,000, you will recoup your money in a maximum of 10 years. That’s not too bad. Plus, if your property was already valued at around $1.5 mil, and the ADU added 15% to the perceived market value, your ROI will pretty much double simply because of the current climate of the real estate market. Money Is Not Everything, Though Yes, in 2026 , the primary drive behind the construction of ADUs with the help of a granny flat builder has to do with subsequent returns. But, originally, the services of the best granny flat builders in NSW were intended for more, let’s say noble purposes. Why do you think they are called granny flats? In the beginning, ADUs were intended to serve as secondary dwellings for aging relatives. Are your parents, for example, getting ahead in age, and do you want to keep an eye on them while also providing them with the ind ependence they deserve? Well, ADUs can be a great tool. In fact, it’s something I also considered for some of my extended family members. Likewise, the f lexibility of the ADUs designed by a granny flat builder can provide direct benefits to your children and spouse . ADUs can transform into a gym, a reading room, a separate office, or even into a storage place. Truth is, there are no limits to how you can use them. From being leveraged as rental units to providing accommodation to family members or increasing the market appeal of your property, ADUs are the future of housing in Australia, and because of th is, their popularity continues to grow.