No Planning Permit Required. Your Granny Flat Just Got Simple.
Victoria's new planning reforms mean you can build a Small Second Dwelling on your property without a planning permit. We design, approve, and build quality granny flats across the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne's south east. Fixed designs. Transparent pricing. One builder from start to keys.
The Opportunity Is Now.
Victoria's planning reforms have reclassified granny flats as Small Second Dwellings (SSDs) — and removed the single biggest barrier that used to stop homeowners from building one.
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| Planning permit required | No planning permit needed on lots over 300m² |
| Long approval timelines | Building permit only — faster approvals |
| Restricted to family use only | Can be rented out, Airbnb, or family accommodation |
| Complex council process | Streamlined pathway through registered building surveyors |
On the Mornington Peninsula alone, over 23,000 properties qualify. If your lot is over 300m², you can add a fully self-contained dwelling to your backyard — without months of council back-and-forth.
Four Reasons to Build a Granny Flat
Forget the old image of a basic bungalow out the back. Today's Small Second Dwellings are modern, architect-designed, fully self-contained homes — just on a smaller footprint.
Build It for Income
Rental yields on granny flats regularly hit 10–12% — significantly higher than the 3–4% typical of standard rental properties. Whether you lease it long-term or list it on Airbnb, a well-built SSD pays for itself.
Build It for Family
Keep your parents close without sacrificing anyone's independence. A self-contained dwelling with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space gives your family proximity and privacy — on the same block.
Build It for Value
A quality secondary dwelling adds significant, measurable value to your property. It's consistently ranked as one of the highest-return improvements you can make to residential land.
Build It for Flexibility
Home office. Guest house. Teenager's retreat. Downsizer living. The use case is yours to decide — and it can change as your life does.
Apartment-Style Living in Your Own Backyard
Our signature granny flat design — engineered for SSD compliance, optimised for liveability, and finished to a standard you'd expect from a home, not an afterthought.
Premium 2-Bedroom Granny Flat
Everything You Need. Nothing You Don't.
Every DeianaBuild granny flat comes complete. No hidden extras. No "allowances" that blow out.
Structure & Exterior
- Concrete slab foundation
- Steel or timber frame construction
- Modern external cladding (options available)
- Colorbond roofing
- Aluminium windows and sliding doors
- Insulated walls, ceiling and floor
- Covered outdoor area
- External lighting
Interior
- Stone benchtops to kitchen and bathroom
- Quality cabinetry throughout
- Stainless steel appliances (oven, cooktop, rangehood)
- Tiled bathroom and laundry
- Flooring throughout (hybrid timber-look or tiles)
- Built-in wardrobes
- LED downlights throughout
- TV and data points
Services
- Full electrical fit-out
- Full plumbing and drainage (connected to existing)
- Hot water system
- Split-system heating and cooling
- NBN-ready cabling
- Smoke detectors and safety switches
Approvals & Compliance
- Architectural plans & engineering
- Energy efficiency report (6-star minimum)
- Building permit application
- Registered building surveyor inspections
- Certificate of occupancy
From Conversation to Keys in 4 Simple Steps
No complexity. No runaround. A clear path from "I'm interested" to "here are your keys."
Free Site Assessment (Week 1)
We visit your property, assess the site, check SSD eligibility, and discuss which design suits your block, goals, and budget. You'll walk away with a clear picture of what's possible — and what it'll cost. No obligation.
Design Selection & Contract (Weeks 2–3)
Choose your design, select your finishes, and lock in your price. Our contract is fixed-price — the number you agree to is the number you pay.
Permits & Approvals (Weeks 3–6)
Because SSDs don't require a planning permit, we go straight to the building permit stage. We handle everything: plans, engineering, energy reports, and submission to the building surveyor.
Construction & Handover (Weeks 7–18)
Sergio and the team build your granny flat. Regular updates, site visits welcome. On completion, the building surveyor conducts final inspections and we hand you the keys with your occupancy certificate.
Total typical timeline: 14–20 weeks from first meeting to move-in.
Start With a Free Site AssessmentBuilt by a Builder. Not a Kit Home Company.
There are plenty of "granny flat packages" out there — prefab kits, flat-pack solutions, companies that have never actually built a home. Here's why that matters.
Every DeianaBuild granny flat is constructed on-site by qualified tradespeople, managed by Sergio Deiana — a registered builder with 25+ years experience.
Local soil conditions, council requirements, site challenges — we've seen it all. This isn't our first project, or our hundredth.
Sergio visits your site. He manages your build. He hands you the keys. When questions come up, you speak to the person who can answer them.
We don't lure you in with a low number and hit you with variations. The price you agree to is the price you pay.
As renovation and extension specialists, we bring a level of design understanding that purpose-built "granny flat companies" simply don't have.
Trusted by Melbourne Homeowners for Over 25 Years
“He provided a detailed quote that included all costs involved, what was covered and when it would be finished. The workmanship was precise and attention to detail made for a great outcome. It was finished on time.”James & Lucia · Home Extension
“Your commitment and professionalism to our job was invaluable. We are so happy with the final result of our new rear dwelling.”Bruce & Elena · Rear Dwelling
“Sergio completed the job within budget, on time and in quality. Would highly recommend Deianabuild.”Lucas · Coburg
Your Questions, Answered
Correct. Under Victoria's updated planning regulations, a Small Second Dwelling (SSD) on a lot over 300m² no longer requires a planning permit. You still need a building permit, which we obtain for you as part of the process.
SSDs can be up to 60m² of floor area (excluding covered outdoor areas, depending on design). Our range includes designs from 45m² to 75m², with the larger designs utilising allowable covered areas and compliant configurations.
Yes. SSDs can be used for long-term rental, short-term accommodation (like Airbnb), family accommodation, or any residential purpose. There are no restrictions on who can live in them.
Pricing depends on the design, site conditions, and your finish selections. We provide a detailed fixed-price quote after your free site assessment. Call Sergio directly on 0400 039 850 to discuss pricing.
From first meeting to handover, expect 14–20 weeks depending on the design. The actual construction phase is typically 10–14 weeks.
Our designs are optimised for SSD compliance and construction efficiency. We offer a range of cladding, colour, and internal finish options to personalise your granny flat. For fully custom designs, chat with Sergio about what's possible.
Most properties on lots over 300m² qualify. There are some additional requirements around setbacks, site coverage, and overlays that we assess during your free site consultation. If your block doesn't qualify, we'll tell you upfront.
All service connections (electrical, plumbing, drainage, data) are included in our pricing. We connect to your existing property services as part of the build.
Yes. A well-built, self-contained secondary dwelling adds both rental income potential and capital value to your property. It's consistently ranked as one of the highest-return improvements available to residential homeowners.
Because a planning permit isn't required, there's no formal notification process for neighbours. We always recommend courteous communication with adjoining property owners — we can advise you on this as part of the process.