A well-built granny flat gives you room for family, a home office or studio, or rental income, without leaving the home you love. Blackwood Carpentry & Joinery is a licensed Sydney builder (NSW Lic. 502666C). We build custom granny flats from the first site visit to final handover, with our own carpenters and joiners on the job.
Every build is designed for your block and your budget. We can work from your architect’s plans or coordinate the design for you.
✔ Stand-Alone Homes – one- or two-bedroom granny flats in the backyard.
✔ Designed for Your Block – layout, orientation and access planned around your site.
✔ Fully Self-Contained – kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living space under one roof.
✔ Attached Granny Flats – joined to the main house, sharing a wall.
✔ Garage Conversions – turning an existing garage or outbuilding into a self-contained dwelling, where the structure allows.
✔ For Ageing Parents – step-free entries, wider doors and accessible bathrooms.
✔ Accessible Modifications – see our accessible home modifications.
✔ Backyard Studios – smaller buildings for work, hobbies or guests.
✔ Decks & Entries – timber decks, stairs and entries built by our own carpenters. See decking & alfresco.
Blackwood is a licensed builder (NSW Lic. 502666C). Every job over $20,000 comes with a written home building contract and Home Building Compensation insurance before any deposit is paid, as NSW law requires.
In NSW, most granny flats (the official term is “secondary dwelling”) are approved in one of two ways:
Complying Development Certificate (CDC) – the fast track, usually a few weeks through a private certifier. Your lot generally needs to be at least 450 m² and 12 m wide, the granny flat can be up to 60 m² internal floor area, and minimum setbacks apply.
Development Application (DA) – through council when your block doesn’t meet the CDC rules, for example heritage areas, flood or bushfire zones, or smaller lots. This usually takes several months.
We check your block at the first site visit, tell you which path fits, and manage the paperwork with the certifier or council. A granny flat can be rented out, but the lot it is built on can’t be subdivided (NSW Planning).
A turnkey one- or two-bedroom granny flat in Sydney typically costs $150,000–$250,000.
On top of the build, allow for approval and certifier fees, site preparation such as excavation or retaining, and connecting water, sewer and power. The slope of your block, access for machinery and your choice of finishes make the biggest difference. Every block is different, so we confirm a detailed price after a free site visit. For wider renovation costs, see our home renovation cost guide.
✔ Licensed & Insured – NSW Lic. 502666C, with a written contract and HBC insurance on every job over $20,000.
✔ Carpentry & Joinery In-House – framing, decking, stairs, doors, wardrobes and kitchen joinery made and fitted by our own team.
✔ One Team, Quote to Handover – we coordinate the certifier, plumbers, electricians and every other trade.
✔ Clear, Detailed Quotes – you see what’s included before work starts.
From the first site visit to handover, here’s how a granny flat build with us works.
We look at your block, access, services and what you want the space for.
You get plans and a detailed written quote.
We lodge the CDC or DA and handle the certifier or council.
Contract and HBC insurance first, then site preparation, slab, frame, roof, lock-up, fit-out and finishes.
Final inspection, occupation certificate and a walk-through of your new granny flat.
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Milani ConceptsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Working with Fred and his team has been an outstanding experience from start to finish. Their integrity, transparency, and open communication made the entire process seamless and reassuring. The quality of workmanship was truly top-notch, and we felt well-informed and supported every step of the way. A highly professional team that we would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking excellence and reliability. Thanks Fred, HarryPosted on Google
Alex ZarWe are very happy with our kitchen renovation done by the blackwood team, highly recommended.Posted on Google
Mark ZBlackwood built up a kitchen for me. It was lovely to have them on the job. Wise advices, great service and craftsmanship. Highly recommended.Posted on Google
True Site ElectricalFred and his team did a fantastic job on a verandah and carport at our office. Workmanship was outstanding, Fred works quickly and communicates well and pricing was great value considering the quality of the work. I have no hesitation in recommending Blackwood Carpentry. Thanks Fred!Posted on Google
iman behrouzanGreat work and communication.Posted on Google
medi valiFred and his team were amazing. Clean, punctual, fairly priced. Highly recommended.Posted on Google
Matt ToussiThe most reliable and professional contractor we've been working on many projects together for years. Freddy and his team are best in details and do the jobs properly without cutting the corners. Blackwood pricing is so reasonable compare to value and quality of work they deliver. Highly recommended
Not always. If your block meets the complying development rules, a private certifier can approve it with a CDC, usually in a few weeks. If it doesn’t, you’ll need a development application through council.
Under the NSW rules a granny flat can generally be up to 60 m² internal floor area. Your council’s planning rules also apply.
Typically $150,000–$250,000 for a turnkey one- or two-bedroom granny flat, plus approvals, site preparation and service connections. We confirm a price after a site visit.
It depends on the size, site and weather. Approvals add a few weeks for a CDC or several months for a DA. We give you a build program with your quote.
Yes. A granny flat can be rented to tenants or used by family. The lot it’s built on can’t be subdivided.
Often, yes. It depends on the structure, ceiling height, drainage and whether the conversion can meet the building code. We’ll check it at the site visit.
Planning a granny flat? Call Fred on 0478 900 078 or send us a message, and we’ll look at your block and explain your options.
