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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Exceptional joinery work and an outstanding team! The quality and attention to detail were brilliant. Fred and his team are friendly, professional and incredibly willing to go above and beyond to find a solution to every little puzzle that came up along the way. Nothing seemed too difficult, inconvenient or impossible. Fred and his team approached every challenge with a smile, a positive attitude and a genuine desire to get things right, the end result was fantastic and I am very impressed with both the workmanship and the care that went into the project. I highly recommend Blackwood Joinery - exceptional work and a pleasure to deal with from start to finish.Posted on Google
Sam ChadwickWe couldn’t have been happier. Fred and the team showed both incredible vision to maximise the use of our space and high quality technical trade expertise to custom make and install the kitchen, move the plumbing and basin, increase the ceiling, move walls and doors, redesign laundry and replace floorboards! Thanks for all your hard work and professionalism 🙏Posted on Google
Bridget WighamWe are incredibly happy with the outdoor kitchen that was installed by Fred and the Blackwood team. The materials are absolute quality and the finish seamless. On top of this, Fred was an absolute pleasure to deal with, responsive and always available to answer questions and provide advice. We will be sure to use Fred and his team again for our next building job and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone wanting some work done to their house.Posted on Google
Paul MillerFred, Matt and the team have done a number of jobs for us over the last few years, including the complete renovation of a bathroom, laundry and toilet, replacement of a roof and guttering, and extensive refurbishment of external woodwork for a 100-year-old house. They have always provided a highly professional level of service, expert and creative advice and excellent workmanship, going above and beyond stated requirements to ensure we were happy with the result. Very happy to recommend their services.Posted on Google
Penelope LannenI've done lots of joinery and carpentry work over the years and found Fred and Matt at Blackwood some of the best. Beautiful work and a very quick turnaround. Additionally, whilst my job was small, it was very bespoke and needed a lot of attention to detail, product knowledge and amendments as we worked out the plans. Fred was very patient and understanding and it was a pleasure to work with him. I have no hesitation recommending their work.Posted on Google
Elaine BoydVery kind and friendly team of 2 attended and sorted all the problems that needed fixing in our kitchen - nothing seemed too much trouble & quality of workmanship is excellent- would highly recommend themPosted on Google
Laura BeattyI recently hired Blackwood Carpentry and Joinery for a complete renovation of my home, including a stunning overhaul of the kitchen and bathroom. The experience was nothing short of fantastic! From the initial consultation, the team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise. They took the time to understand my vision for the renovation, offering insightful suggestions that truly elevated the final outcome. Their attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that every aspect was thoughtfully executed. The quality of craftsmanship in my new kitchen is outstanding. The custom cabinetry not only looks beautiful but also maximizes storage and functionality, making cooking and entertaining a joy. The bathroom renovation transformed the space into a luxurious retreat, featuring elegant fixtures and a sleek design that perfectly aligns with my personal style. Communication was a highlight of working with Blackwood. The team kept me informed throughout the renovation process, addressing any questions or concerns I had promptly. They completed the project on schedule and maintained a clean and organized work environment, which I greatly appreciated. I can't thank Blackwood Carpentry and Joinery enough for their hard work and dedication. If you're considering a renovation, I wholeheartedly recommend them. Their expertise in creating beautiful and functional spaces is unmatched!Posted on Google
Milani ConceptsWorking 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, Harry
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.
