If you’re reading this, something’s happened. Maybe it’s the phone call from the hospital saying Mum needs to be discharged in three weeks. Maybe it’s realising Dad can’t safely live alone after that fall. Perhaps it’s a rental lease ending with nowhere suitable for your parents to go. Whatever your situation, you’re facing an urgent problem with no time for the usual 6-12 month building process. This is exactly why prefab granny flats exist. To help Melbourne families like yours find quality accommodation quickly when every week counts.
Why Families Need Fast-Track Solutions
Not every family has the luxury of twelve months to plan. Hospital discharge coordinators give weeks, not months. A parent’s sudden health decline doesn’t wait for building permits. Interstate relocations happen quickly when care becomes urgent. Lease terminations, post-surgery recovery needs, or dementia progression often force families to find solutions immediately.
Traditional granny flat construction takes six to twelve months from decision to occupancy. When your father’s being discharged from hospital in three weeks, that timeline is useless. This is where prefab and modular granny flats in Victoria change the equation entirely.
Traditional vs Prefab: Timeline Comparison
| Build Stage | Traditional Build | Prefab/Modular Build |
| Council approval | 4-8 weeks | 4-8 weeks (concurrent with fabrication) |
| Site preparation & foundation | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
| Frame construction | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 days (installation only) |
| Weatherproofing & cladding | 2-3 weeks | Factory complete |
| Electrical/plumbing/insulation | 4-6 weeks | 1-2 weeks (connections only) |
| Finishing trades | 4-8 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Weather delays | 2-4 weeks | Minimal (factory built) |
| Total Timeline | 24-41 weeks | 16-20 weeks |
The speed advantage of modular granny flats comes from parallel processing. Whilst council approvals progress, your granny flat is being fabricated in a weather-controlled factory. Traditional builds happen sequentially (one trade finishes before the next begins). Prefab construction allows multiple stages to happen simultaneously.
Traditional builds face constant delays: rain stops concrete pours, tradies get pulled to other jobs, materials arrive late. Factory fabrication eliminates most of these variables. Your granny flat is built indoors, on schedule, with precision machinery ensuring every panel fits perfectly.
Innovista’s Lana Series: Premium Prefab for Urgent Needs
Innovista Group’s Lana Series uses advanced SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) construction. A hybrid prefab system delivering speed without compromising quality. These aren’t budget relocatable cabins. They’re architecturally designed, fully compliant granny flats with premium finishes that happen to build faster.
Lana Series Pricing & Specifications
| Model | Price | Size | Layout | Build Time |
| Lana 60 Signature | $230,000 | 60m² (10m x 6m) | 2 bed, 1 bath | 16-20 weeks |
| Lana 60 Luxe | $255,000 | 60m² (10m x 6m) | 2 bed, 1 bath | 16-20 weeks |
| Lana 43 Signature | From $220,000 | 43m² (6.5m x 6.5m) | 1 bed, 1 bath | 16-20 weeks |
The Lana 60 Signature at $230,000 includes double-glazed thermally broken windows, 20mm sintered stone benchtops, frameless walk-in shower, heat pump hot water system, and full-height kitchen joinery. Council approvals, engineering, and utility connections up to 10 metres all come standard, with a 10-year structural warranty providing long-term confidence.
The Luxe package adds 3-metre ceiling heights for a more spacious feel, multi-head heating and cooling to all rooms, underfloor bathroom heating, skylights in both kitchen and bathroom, and a curved kitchen island with additional storage. For families who need speed but don’t want to compromise on comfort, the Luxe represents exceptional value at $255,000 fully inclusive.
What “Fully Inclusive” Actually Means
One of the biggest frustrations families face is discovering hidden costs after signing. Innovista’s fixed pricing eliminates this uncertainty.
Included in every Lana Series granny flat:
- All council approvals and building permits
- Engineering reports (structural, soil, drainage, 7-star energy)
- Steel stump or concrete slab foundation (site dependent)
- SIPs frame and roof construction (factory fabricated)
- Complete external cladding and weatherproofing
- All windows, doors, and flyscreens installed
- Full kitchen with stone benchtops and premium appliances
- Complete bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tiles
- All electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling systems
- Utility connections from main house (up to 10m)
- 10-year structural warranty + 6-month maintenance guarantee
Not included (typical exclusions across the industry):
- Demolition or asbestos removal
- Planning permits (if site triggers planning requirements)
- Landscaping or external paving
- Separate electricity/water meters (if requested)
- Window furnishings (blinds, curtains)
- Site cut for sloping blocks beyond standard
The Realistic Timeline: What to Expect
Understanding the actual timeline helps families plan properly. Here’s what happens from first contact to your parents moving in.
Weeks 1-2: Initial Consultation & Site Assessment
Innovista provides a free site assessment within 50-150km of Melbourne’s CBD. They’ll check your block size, access, soil type, and existing services. You’ll receive transparent pricing and a preliminary timeline based on your specific site conditions.
Weeks 3-6: Documentation & Council Submission
Engineering plans, soil tests, and energy reports are prepared. Council applications are submitted for building permits. If your site requires planning approval (due to overlays or heritage controls), this stage extends by 4-8 weeks.
Weeks 4-14: Factory Fabrication (Concurrent)
Whilst council processes your application, your granny flat is being manufactured. SIPs panels are precision-cut, external cladding is applied, and major components are pre-assembled in a controlled factory environment. This happens regardless of Melbourne’s weather.
Weeks 7-9: Site Preparation & Foundation
Once council approval is received, site preparation begins immediately. Foundation work (steel stumps or concrete slab) takes approximately one week, weather permitting.
Week 10: Installation
The pre-fabricated structure is delivered and installed in just 2-3 days. What would take months in traditional construction happens in less than a week. By day three, the building is weatherproof and locked.
Weeks 11-16: Services & Finishing
Electrical and plumbing connections, utility hookups, final fit-out, and council inspections occur. This is significantly faster than traditional builds because most work was completed in the factory.
Week 16-20: Handover
Final cleaning, walkthrough, and keys handed over. Your parents can move in.
Common Questions About Prefab Granny Flats in Victoria
Q: Does “prefab” mean lower quality?
Not with modern SIPs construction. Factory-built panels offer better precision than on-site framing, superior insulation, and fewer weather-related defects. Innovista’s 10-year structural warranty matches traditional builds.
Q: Can prefab granny flats be customised?
The Lana Series offers two specification levels (Signature and Luxe) with multiple design schemes. Whilst not custom-designed from scratch, families can choose finishes, layouts, and upgrade options to suit their parents’ needs.
Q: Will council treat prefab differently?
No. Modular granny flats in Victoria must meet identical building codes and approval processes as traditional builds. The construction method doesn’t change compliance requirements.
Q: What if my parents need it even faster?
The 16-20 week timeline is realistic for most Melbourne sites. The main variable is council approval (4-8 weeks). Sites with planning permit requirements add time. Speak honestly with Innovista about your deadline. They’ll tell you if it’s achievable.
Making the Decision Under Pressure
When urgency forces your hand, it’s tempting to grab the first solution available. But a granny flat represents a significant investment and a long-term living arrangement for your parents. Speed matters, but so does getting it right.
Prefab granny flats from Innovista deliver both. The Lana Series builds in half the time of traditional construction without compromising on accessibility features, thermal comfort, or build quality. Fixed pricing eliminates financial surprises. A 10-year warranty provides confidence that speed doesn’t mean cutting corners.
For Melbourne families facing urgent elder care needs, modular construction offers a genuine path from crisis to solution in under five months.
Need a granny flat urgently? Book a free site assessment with Innovista Group to discuss realistic timelines for your specific situation. Servicing Melbourne and Victoria-wide within 50-150km of the CBD.
