You’ve made the decision to build a granny flat, signed the contract, and received your construction start date from Innovista Group. Now comes an important question: what do you need to do before construction begins?

Proper site preparation ensures your granny flat build proceeds smoothly, stays on schedule, and avoids unnecessary delays or complications. Here’s your complete checklist for preparing your Melbourne property before construction starts.

1. Clear the Construction Area (2-3 Weeks Before)

The designated granny flat location needs to be completely clear before construction teams arrive.

Remove All Items and Obstacles

Garden furniture and outdoor items: Remove all outdoor furniture, barbecues, play equipment, garden ornaments, potted plants, and decorative items from the construction zone and access paths.

Sheds and temporary structures: Relocate or dismantle garden sheds, gazebos, shade sails, or temporary structures in the construction area. If you need these items later, store them rather than leaving them in the way.

Vegetation and landscaping: While Innovista handles necessary vegetation removal as part of site preparation, you can save costs by clearing small plants, garden beds, and removable landscaping yourself. Established trees requiring professional removal will be coordinated with you.

Children’s equipment: Move trampolines, swing sets, sandpits, and play equipment well away from the construction area and access paths. Consider this an opportunity to reconfigure your backyard layout for post-construction enjoyment.

Create Adequate Storage Solutions

You’ll need somewhere to store items displaced from the construction area for 16-20 weeks during the build.

Temporary storage options: Consider hiring a storage unit for larger items you can’t accommodate elsewhere on your property. Costs range from $100-$200 per month for small units, far less than delays caused by cluttered work areas.

Garage reorganisation: If you’re not converting your garage, use it for temporary storage during construction.

Cover and protect: Items remaining on your property near the construction zone should be covered with tarps and secured against dust and debris.

2. Ensure Clear and Safe Access (2 Weeks Before)

Construction teams need safe, unobstructed access from the street to the granny flat location.

Driveway and Side Access

Clear pathways: Ensure driveways and side passages are completely clear. Remove bins, vehicles, trailers, and any items blocking access routes.

Width requirements: Access paths need minimum 1.2-1.5 metre clearance for workers, materials, and equipment. Measure your access routes and remove anything encroaching on this clearance.

Gate access: If construction access requires going through gates, ensure gates can be opened fully and left open during work hours. Remove padlocks or provide keys/codes to site supervisors.

Ground surface: Ensure access paths have stable, firm surfaces. Muddy, soft, or unstable ground should be addressed with temporary ground protection to prevent damage to your property and ensure safe equipment access.

Vehicle Parking Arrangements

Reserve on-street parking: If possible, avoid parking in front of your property during construction days to allow contractor vehicle access and material deliveries.

Inform household members: Ensure everyone in your household knows not to block access during construction periods. Create alternative parking arrangements if necessary.

Delivery coordination: Large deliveries (granny flat modules, materials) require significant temporary access. Innovista will notify you of scheduled delivery dates requiring maximum access clearance.

3. Notify and Communicate with Neighbours (1-2 Weeks Before)

Considerate neighbour communication prevents complaints and maintains good relationships throughout the build process.

What to Tell Your Neighbours

Construction timeline: Inform neighbours of the expected construction start date and 16-20 week completion timeline.

Working hours: Standard construction hours in Melbourne are typically 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM weekdays, with limited Saturday work. Let neighbours know when noise and activity will occur.

Temporary impacts: Explain any temporary impacts on shared boundaries, potential brief service interruptions if service connections are near property lines, and delivery vehicle access requirements.

Contact information: Provide Innovista’s site supervisor contact information for any concerns or questions that arise during construction.

Written Notice

Consider providing written notice to immediate neighbours, particularly for properties sharing boundaries with the construction area. A brief, friendly letter demonstrates consideration and professionalism.

Include your contact information and assurance that Innovista Group’s professional construction approach minimises disruption through efficient processes and considerate site management.

4. Service Location and Protection (1 Week Before)

Knowing where underground and overhead services are located prevents costly damage and dangerous situations during construction.

Mark Underground Services

Dial Before You Dig: Innovista arranges professional service location through Dial Before You Dig, but you can assist by identifying obvious service access points:

• Water meter locations
• Sewer inspection openings
• Stormwater drains and pits
• Gas meter positions
• Electrical conduit entry points
• NBN or telecommunications pits

Sprinkler systems: If you have in-ground irrigation or sprinkler systems, provide diagrams or mark locations clearly. These aren’t covered by Dial Before You Dig services.

Old or unknown services: Inform Innovista of any known old services, filled pools, septic systems, or underground structures that may not appear on current service plans.

Overhead Services

Tree branches: Trim tree branches that overhang access routes or the construction area if they could interfere with equipment or deliveries.

Clotheslines and shade sails: Temporarily remove or relocate retractable clotheslines, shade sails, or overhead structures that could obstruct equipment or material placement.

Power lines: Identify overhead power lines that construction equipment must navigate around. Innovista’s team assesses these during site inspections, but early identification helps planning.

5. Pet and Children Safety Planning (Ongoing)

Construction sites present hazards for curious children and pets. Plan for their safety throughout the build period.

Secure Pets During Work Hours

Temporary relocation: Consider temporarily relocating pets during the most intensive construction phases, particularly during site preparation and foundation work when noise and activity are highest.

Secure confinement: If pets remain on-site, ensure they’re securely confined in areas well away from the construction zone. Gates must be secured to prevent escape when contractors access your property.

Notify contractors: Inform Innovista’s site supervisor about pets on the property so appropriate precautions can be taken.

Children’s Safety Measures

Supervision requirements: Never allow children to play in or near the construction area, even outside work hours. Construction sites contain hazards including open excavations, materials, and equipment.

Physical barriers: Consider temporary fencing between your main house outdoor areas and the construction zone to create clear physical boundaries children cannot cross.

Education: Explain to children why the construction area is off-limits and establish clear rules about staying away from workers, equipment, and materials.

6. Protect Your Existing Property (Before Construction Starts)

Taking proactive steps to protect your main house and existing landscaping prevents damage and disputes.

Document Pre-Construction Conditions

Photograph everything: Take comprehensive photos of your house exterior, fencing, paving, gardens, and any structures near the construction area. Date-stamped photos provide evidence of pre-construction conditions.

Video walk-through: Record a video tour of your property focusing on areas adjacent to the construction zone. Include close-ups of any existing damage or wear.

Neighbour boundaries: Photograph shared fences, walls, and boundary structures from both sides if possible. This documentation protects you if questions arise about construction impacts.

Physical Protection Measures

Cover nearby items: Use drop cloths or tarps to protect outdoor furniture, barbecues, or items that can’t be relocated far from the construction zone.

Window protection: Consider temporary board or shade cloth protection for windows facing the construction area to prevent accidental damage from flying debris.

Garden protection: Install temporary fencing or barriers around garden beds, plants, or landscaping you want to preserve near construction access routes.

7. Household Preparation (Week Before Construction)

Prepare your household for the temporary changes construction brings to daily life.

Manage Expectations

Noise and disruption: Prepare household members for construction noise during working hours. Most intensive noise occurs during initial site preparation and foundation work.

Privacy adjustments: You may need to adjust curtains or blinds for privacy whilst workers are on-site. Construction teams are professional, but having workers in your backyard changes your outdoor privacy temporarily.

Routine adaptations: Modify daily routines to accommodate restricted backyard access and construction activity. Plan alternative outdoor recreation if your backyard is your primary outdoor space.

Practical Arrangements

Secure valuables: Lock sheds, garages, and storage areas containing valuable tools, equipment, or personal items.

Disable security systems: If backyard sensors or cameras cover the construction area, adjust settings to prevent constant triggering during work hours.

Protect main house access: Ensure construction teams know which doors they should not use and which areas of your property are off-limits.

Final Pre-Construction Checklist

One week before construction starts, verify:

• ✓ Construction area is completely clear
• ✓ Access routes are unobstructed and stable
• ✓ Neighbours have been notified
• ✓ Underground services are marked
• ✓ Pets have safe confinement plans
• ✓ Children understand safety boundaries
• ✓ Pre-construction photos are documented
• ✓ Household members know what to expect
• ✓ Contact information is available for questions

Your Granny Flat Build Starts Soon

Proper preparation ensures your granny flat construction proceeds smoothly from day one. Innovista Group’s professional construction processes minimise disruption, but your proactive preparation enhances the entire build experience.

Within 16-20 weeks, your carefully prepared site will host a beautiful, rental-ready granny flat generating income and adding substantial value to your property.

Contact Innovista Group if you have questions about site preparation or need assistance planning for your upcoming construction start date.