Your complete guide to creating the perfect annexe. We've answered the most common questions about planning, costs, and construction to help you start your journey with confidence.
Dreaming of having more space for your family? A garden annexe is a brilliant way to keep loved ones close, give grown-up children their own pad, or create that perfect home office you've always wanted. We know it's a big project, and you've probably got a lot of questions. You're not alone! This guide is here to give you the clarity you need to take the next step.
Almost certainly, yes. As soon as you're creating a self-contained space for someone to sleep in, it needs full planning permission. In most cases also need to meet Building Regulations, which is a separate step to ensure the annexe is safe, warm, and energy-efficient. The good news is that Vita Modular can handle this whole process for you from start to finish, taking the stress out of the paperwork.
This is a niche area of planning law, but it's worth knowing about. Some modular buildings can be legally classed as a caravan, meaning they might not need planning permission or building control approval. To qualify, the building must be moveable and within strict size limits. It's a complex area that can help you with. We at Vita Modular can offer a build solution that meets all the requirements of the caravan act, and these builds are typically 15% more cost effective than building control compliant alternatives. We also offer fully building control compliant Annexe’s as standard.
Councils are often in favour of projects that support multi-generational living, which is a big plus. They'll look at the size of your garden, the design, and how it might affect your neighbours' privacy. Our team knows exactly how to present an application to give it the best possible chance of success. Learn more about our planning support service here.
At Vita Modular we are yet to have a planning application for one of our Annexe’s refused.
It’s best to plan for around 3-4 months from start to finish. That includes a few weeks for us to get all the drawings and surveys ready, and then the council has 8-12 weeks to give their decision.
As you'd expect, the price tag can vary quite a bit depending on the size and spec you choose. Our one-bedroom annexes start around £80,000, with larger, custom designs costing upwards of £150,000. One of the biggest advantages of a Vita Modular build is that you get a fixed, all-inclusive price from the start. This can save you up to 25% compared to a traditional build, where costs have a habit of creeping up. See our full range of models and prices on our Annexe Page.
We believe in being completely upfront, but it's always smart to know what could be an extra cost in any building project. This might include planning application fees, major site clearance (like removing large trees), or connecting utilities over a very long distance. With a Vita Modular build, our fixed-price contract is designed to eliminate these kinds of surprises, giving you complete peace of mind.
Absolutely. A beautiful, Vita Modular annexe is a fantastic investment. It adds valuable, flexible living space that's incredibly appealing to future buyers. The high-quality construction and energy efficiency standards of a Vita Modular annexe also mean it's a solid, lasting investment that future buyers will appreciate.
It can be tricky to get a specific mortgage for an annexe. Most of our clients either remortgage their main home to release the funds, use an equity release plan, or take out a personal loan. We always suggest chatting with an independent financial advisor to see what's best for you and we can put you in contact with our network of advisors to assist,
This is where the magic happens! Our modular annexes are built to incredibly high standards, partly in a factory environment, meaning the quality and precision are second to none.
It's all about balance. The size will depend on your garden and what the local council feels is a sensible size in relation to your main house. The planners will want to see that it doesn't swallow up the whole garden, leaving plenty of outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.
Getting power, water, and waste sorted is a key step. We run all the services underground in a protected trench from your house to the annexe. A qualified electrician will get the power connected safely, and we'll link up the water and sewerage to your existing home systems.
This is one of the biggest 'wow' factors of a Vita Modular build. It’s up to 70% faster than using traditional building methods. While our team is busy building your annexe (which takes about 4-6 weeks), the groundwork is being done in your garden at the same time. This means the final on-site installation is incredibly quick, with far less noise, mess, and disruption for your family.
Of course. We're passionate about creating spaces that work perfectly for everyone and all requirements. We regularly offer bespoke accessibility installations in a factory to include features like walk-in wet rooms, wider doorways for wheelchair access, and non-slip flooring right from the start.
An annexe will get its own Council Tax band, but there's a great discount available. If a family member is living there, you're usually entitled to a 50% reduction on the bill. If that relative is significantly disabled, you may not have to pay any Council Tax on it at all. It's always best to check the specifics with your local council. Find your local council on GOV.UK.
This is a really important one to get right. If you rent the annexe to a tenant, it becomes a separate dwelling in the eyes of the law. You must state this on your planning application, which will be judged differently and can be harder to pass. You won't get any Council Tax discounts, and you'll have to pay Capital Gains Tax on it when you sell.
Just make sure you give your home insurer a call. They'll need to know about the annexe to update your policy and make sure the new, higher rebuild value of your property is covered.
Explore our full range of models, view floor plans, and discover the quality finishes that make our annexes a lasting investment in your home and family's future.
