When you imagine your completed granny flat, it’s easy to forget the long and detailed construction journey that leads to the finished product. For many homeowners and first-time property developers in Melbourne, the granny flat construction timeline can feel overwhelming without a clear roadmap. This article walks you through every major phase of the granny flat construction process, from the very first soil test to the final slab pour. Before diving in, it’s also worth understanding why granny flats are the smartest investment property in 2025, as this can shape how you approach each stage of the build. If you’re considering custom granny flats in Melbourne and want to better understand the full build process, this behind-the-scenes guide will help you set expectations and avoid costly delays.
Why Understanding The Construction Timeline From Concept To Completion Matters
Before we get into the step-by-step breakdown, it’s important to understand why a construction timeline. Knowing what happens when can help you:
- Budget more accurately
- Anticipate when to make key decisions
- Stay informed during your builder’s updates
- Avoid miscommunication and surprises
First-time property developers often underestimate how long the pre-construction phase can take, or how much coordination is needed before the first tradesperson arrives on site. This concept to completion: granny flat build timeline offers valuable insight into what to expect, helping you better align your budget, lifestyle planning, and expectations with the realities of building in Victoria.
Step 1: Site Visit And Soil Test
Once you’ve selected a reputable Developer/ builder like Innovista Group, the process typically starts with a site visit. This includes an inspection of your block, noting any slopes, access restrictions, trees, or existing infrastructure that may impact the design or build. It’s also the first opportunity for your builder to assess potential challenges and plan your layout accordingly.
A geotechnical soil test is then conducted to assess the stability and reactivity of your soil. The type of soil on your property plays a critical role in determining the engineering and design of your granny flat’s foundation. Reactive soils, for example, expand and contract with moisture, which requires deeper footings and structural reinforcement.
Expect this phase to take 1-2 weeks. Getting the soil test right at the beginning of the process can save thousands in future structural corrections. Fortunately, Innovista Group’s preferred foundation solutions, steel stump, can be used in almost any soil classification, making them ideal even for challenging site conditions. This flexibility helps streamline construction and reduce delays caused by difficult terrain.
Step 2: Design Finalisation And Permits
With your site data collected, it’s time to finalise the custom design of your granny flat. This is where you’ll lock in the floor plan, façade, internal inclusions, and optional upgrades. For clients building a 1-bedroom granny flat in Melbourne, Innovista offers several space-maximising layouts that don’t compromise on function or style, perfect for multigenerational families or rental income.
Permit applications then begin. Depending on your location and local overlays, you may need:
- Building permit
- Town planning permit (if your council requires it)
- Bushfire Management Statement
- Drainage reports or shadow diagrams
Navigating the permit process in Victoria can be time-consuming, and it’s vital to work with a builder who has local council experience. Innovista Group manages this entire process for our clients, ensuring faster turnaround and reduced stress.
This phase typically takes 4 – 8 weeks for a Building Permit, depending on council responsiveness and the complexity of the application. However, if a Planning Permit is required, the timeline can extend significantly, sometimes up to 6 months or more, depending on zoning restrictions, objections from neighbours, or heritage overlays.
Step 3: Site Preparation
Once approvals are secured, your builder begins site preparation. This includes:
- Clearing vegetation or debris
- Demolishing any existing structures if required
- Levelling the site to meet drainage and engineering standards
- Installing temporary fencing and erosion control measures
The site prep phase lays the foundation for everything that follows. Done incorrectly, it can lead to drainage issues, foundation shifting, or long-term maintenance problems. At Innovista, site preparation is carefully managed by in-house teams with years of experience in Melbourne’s varied soil types.
Expect this stage to last 1 – 2 weeks.
Step 4: Service Connections
Before the concrete slab steel stumps can be fixed and poured, your site needs to be connected to essential underground services. This is one of the most technical and often underestimated phases in the construction timeline.
Service installation may include:
- Stormwater drainage redirection
- Sewer line extensions from the main house
- Connection to the potable water system
- Underground electrical trenching and conduits
Your builder must coordinate with local utility providers, follow all Victorian plumbing and electrical regulations, and work within the council’s framework. Innovista Group includes service coordination in all of our full build granny flat projects to streamline this step.
Depending on access and trenching complexity, this phase can take 1 – 2 weeks.
Step 5: Formwork, Footings, And Slab Pour
This is the phase where the build finally feels real. If your Granny Flat has a slab, then the construction team begins by laying out the formwork, essentially the outline of your Granny Flat. It’s your first visual impression of how the space will come together.
Next, footings are excavated and reinforced with steel to support the structure’s load. Under-slab plumbing and electrical rough-ins are installed at this point. Once complete, the slab is poured using high-strength concrete that’s designed to last decades with minimal cracking. If the Granny Flat uses sleep stumps, then these will be installed at this point.
This is a key milestone, especially for clients building their 1-bedroom granny flat in Melbourne, as it often marks the point when excitement peaks. Your flat becomes real.
Slab curing takes several days and may be extended depending on weather conditions. Temperature and moisture levels are carefully monitored to ensure structural integrity.
When the slab is fully cured, vertical construction can begin. This is a major milestone in the granny flat construction timeline and a key turning point for many excited homeowners.
Why Choose Innovista For Your Custom 1-Bedroom Granny Flat Build?
At Innovista Group, we offer a complete turn-key service. From that first on-site inspection to final key handover, every step is handled in-house. Our clients benefit from:
- Fixed-price contracts with no hidden fees
- Full-service permit management
- Expert site prep and service coordination
- Multiple design options for 1-bedroom granny flats in Melbourne
- Transparent communication throughout the build
We know how overwhelming your first project can be. That’s why we don’t just build granny flats, we build with confidence.
A Transparent Build Timeline With Innovista Group
At Innovista Group, we know how important communication and transparency are, especially when it’s your first build. That’s why we guide our clients through each phase with regular updates, realistic timelines, and fixed-price contracts.
Our full build process includes everything from site visits and soil testing to permits, construction, and final delivery. Whether you’re building a compact 1-bedroom layout or a spacious 2-bedroom custom granny flat in Melbourne, we handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the outcome.
Conclusion
Granny flat construction isn’t just about what happens after the concrete is poured; it’s a layered process that begins long before machines arrive on site. From soil testing and planning permits to service connections and slab pour, each phase requires coordination, compliance, and care.
Understanding this journey empowers you to make confident decisions, stay informed throughout the project, and partner more effectively with your builder. If you’re planning a custom granny flat in Melbourne, Innovista Group is here to support you with clarity, transparency, and expertise.
Your future granny flat could be just a conversation away. Contact us and let’s make it happen.
