Annexe Blog
Welcome to our Annexe blog. Here you will find practical advice on a number of subjects that we often get questioned about. Simply click on the article to read more.
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Staying Connected with Family Over Christmas
Christmas can seem unattainable when you compare the fantasy version we’re sold with the reality. Significant numbers of people find Christmas isolating and lonely, for different reasons, and struggle to
Can I Build A Granny Annexe In My Garden?
If like many other people, you have been looking at granny annexes and thinking that you have a big enough garden for one, you may be wondering, can I build
The Granny Annexe Process Part 3
This is the last in our third part series on the granny annexe process, you can find part one here and part two here. This week we are looking at
Making Your Granny Annexe Cosy For Winter
December marks the official start winter. The most wonderful time of the year according to that Andy Williams fella. However, weather reports are telling us to brace ourselves for ‘the
The Granny Annexe Process Part 2
Last week here at iHUS we wrote about What To Do When Your Parents Need Extra Care and at the end of the post we talked briefly about Granny Annexes
Sharing The Cost Of Living In A Granny Annexe
Many people realise that living in multigenerational households can be a cost effective way of providing care and support to each other. But how do you make sure you are
Alternatives To Nursing Homes
When it comes to looking after elderly relatives when they are finding it difficult to cope with daily life, a nursing home isn’t the only option available. So, this week
What To Do When Your Parents Need Extra Care
Sometimes we reach a point in our lives when our parents need that little bit extra care. You might have noticed dad forgetting to eat, or mum starting to have
How Much Is A Granny Annexe?
How Much Is A Granny Annexe? If you’re thinking about downsizing into your dream annexe or investing in a garden annexe for your elderly parents, one of the first questions
Top 5 Two Bedroom Annexes
Top Five Two Bedroom Annexes Here at iHUS, our range of luxury, self-contained granny annexes feature a number of stunning two bedroom annexes. In this blog, we’re going to outline
How To Freshen Up Your Garden Annexe Kitchen
If you’re looking to freshen up your garden annexe kitchen, now is a perfect time! Autumn is one of the most popular seasons for re-decorating and sprucing up the home.
How Do I Talk To My Parents About Elderly Care?
There comes a time when our parents can’t look after themselves as well as they once did. For their loved ones, this can be an immense worry. In your opinion,
Choosing The Layout Of Your Granny Annexe
Planning your granny annexe is an exciting time. And one of the first and most important decisions you will make is the layout of your self-contained annexe. Once you’ve chosen
Storage and Display Ideas For Small Living Rooms
If you’re looking for stylish and practical storage and display ideas for your small living room or lounge area, you’ve come to the right place. Here at iHUS, we design
Cosy Granny Annexe Tips for Autumn
Last week saw the start of Autumn and there has been a definite change in weather; summer is long gone and its time to get cosy. Most of us tend
Granny Annexe Legal Objections – What to Look Out For
Are there any objections to you building a granny annexe in your back garden? This post talk about a couple of legal considerations that you must take care of before
The Granny Annexe Planning Permission Process
Nothing bursts your ‘dream granny annexe’ bubble quite like the thought of planning permission. If you are planning to build a granny annexe in your garden, the planning permission process
Granny Annexes vs Retirement Villages
When it comes to downsizing, there are plenty of options available. Do you sell the family home and buy a smaller property? Do you move into a retirement village with
Monthly Costs Of Living In A Granny Annexe
Moving into a granny annexe is a big decision. But I think most people who live in a granny annexe would tell you that it is the best decision they
Granny Annexe Ideas: Designing the Outside
It is said that you should never judge a book by its cover but when it comes to granny annexes we have to disagree! The outside of your annexe should
Getting Help For Your Elderly Parents
Nobody wants to think about it, but if you are over 45 years old then along with other life commitments such as work, marriage and children you may need to
Top 5 Flat Roof Granny Annexes
With the increase in popularity of granny annexes, this week we are going to have a closer look at our core annexe range. So, without any further ado here are
Designing Your Perfect Granny Annexe Bathroom
One of the things most people most enjoy choosing when designing their own home is the bathroom, and a granny annexe bathroom is no exception. Here at iHUS, we love
Granny Annexe Ideas: Kitchens To Be Proud Of
Got the funny idea in your head that a granny annexe kitchen might be small and dingy? Well think again and prepare to be surprised! Our annexes come with kitchens
Maintaining Your Sanity When Living with Family
A huge draw towards a family or a parent investing in a granny annexe is that they will be living much closer to each other or their children. This is
Legal Considerations of Building a Granny Annexe
If you’ve got an elderly relative, such as a parent, thinking about their care needs or wondering if they are safe can be worrying. If you don’t live close by,
Top 5 One Bedroom Annexes
A one bedroom annexe is the perfect solution if you are looking to downsize without giving up the family home or if you’re looking for the perfect accommodation for an
Granny Annexe Ideas: Beautiful Bathrooms
When people think of granny annexe bathrooms they tend to picture, cramped, tight spaces with small shower cubicles and no storage space. Kind of like what you’d see in a
Pitched Roof Annexes
Looking for an annexe with that little extra something? A pitched roof annexe might be the ideal solution. Read our blog to find out everything you need to know about
Top Granny Annexes This Month – Inspiration and Ideas
Here at iHUS customer feedback and testimonials are important to us – they reassure us we’ve done a great job for our customers, where we can improve and of course,
Financing A Granny Annexe
Across the UK, granny annexes (and granny annexe finance) are offering the perfect accommodation solution to an array of people. From recently retired couples wanting to enjoy their retirement to
Prefab Annexes and Costs
Prefab annexes are becoming the preferred solution for creating more living space at home, because they provide affordable luxury. The insurer Hiscox reports that the number of homeowners renovating instead
Life in a Garden Pod
The garden pod is a multi-functional solution to expanding your home, without having to consider extensive building works and everything that goes with them. It provides the perfect accommodation solution
Contemporary Garden Rooms That You Can Live In
If you are looking to downsize, or you’re looking for an alternative living arrangement for your elderly parents, a contemporary garden room may be just the thing you need! A
Why Have A Granny Flat In Your Garden?
Granny flats are becoming more popular than ever. In fact, there are nearly 39,000 granny annexes in England and Wales – that’s around a 16% increase in recent years.
Living in a Self-Contained Annexe
A self-contained annexe is often the perfect accommodation solution for many retired people, particularly those looking to downsize. A self-contained annexe gives you the opportunity to enjoy your retirement and
Granny Pods: Alternatives To Elderly Care
If you are looking for an alternative to elderly care, you might be interested to hear about granny pods. When your parents or in laws become unable to look after
5 Things to Consider Before Building A Granny Annex
Building a granny annex has become a relatively straightforward process thanks to the many suppliers who offer full turn-key solutions – helping you deal with everything from design, planning permission
Granny Annexe Garden Design Tips
Ah, the sun is finally here and that means that most of us want to sit outside, enjoy a little bit of al fresco dining and generally make the most
Thinking Of Getting A Granny Annexe In Your Garden? Here Is What You Need To Consider.
If you are thinking of getting a granny annexe in your garden there are some things you need to consider. A granny annexe in your garden is a fantastic idea
Granny Annexe Plans – Inspiration From The iHUS Community
Are you thinking about downsizing and moving into your very own bespoke granny annexe? Or maybe you think a granny annexe would make the perfect home for your elderly parents?
Bespoke Granny Annexe Inspiration
How often have you sat there and considered downsizing but lack the inspiration for a bespoke Granny Annexe? It may be that you want to downsize but you really don’t
Ancillary Buildings: What You Need To Know
Thinking of adding a garden office, gym or granny annexe to your home but not sure what you can and can’t do? We have done all the research for you
Granny Annexe Sale: Inspiration and Ideas
Looking for an affordable and stylish granny annexe? let us introduce you to our range of luxury modular granny annexes that are designed for maximum comfort. Practical and stylish, our
The Granny Annexe Building Process
Building a granny annexe is an exciting project for both the homeowner and the person who will move into the annexe. But in addition to excitement, there is bound to
Garden Homes for All Weathers
Garden homes and granny annexes can have a reputation for being uncomfortable if the weather is extreme; in either very cold temperatures or in heat. Whilst this may be the
What is Ancillary Accommodation?
Planning on building a granny annexe or any other type of ancillary accommodation? Read on for more information on what ancillary accommodation is, how it is related to granny annexes
5 Reasons Garden Pods are Great for the Elderly
Garden pods, often referred to as granny annexes, provide an ideal solution for older people wanting to downsize their homes and live closer to family members. But what is a
Downsizing Home? Here are the Advantages and Options
Downsizing home is something you might be considering – especially if you are an older person who is looking to retire or take it easy. In this post, we explore
Granny Annexe Caravan Act – Everything You Need to Know
What have granny annexes and the Caravan Act got to do with each other? If you’re in the early stages of buying a granny annexe it’s likely that you will
Keeping Your Granny Annexes Cool
The UK is set for some more unseasonably warm weather in the coming weeks, and last summer was a record breaker when it came to summer temperatures. The general opinion
Garden Annexe Ideas to Inspire You
Stuck for garden annexe ideas? Let iHUS guide you through just some of the different options that are available and how you can customise your annexe to suit your needs
Planning Permission for a Granny Annexe – Our Service
An integral part of our service is to obtain the necessary permissions from your Local Planning Authority (LPA) to legally build your annexe. This is achieved with a Householder Application
Can You Live in a Garden Annexe?
Living in a garden annexe might seem a strange idea to some people – especially those more familiar with garden buildings being used as summer houses or home offices. But
Granny Annexe Disabled Access
Are granny annexes suitable for disabled people? Especially those with mobility problems or wheelchair users? Let’s look at some of the reasons why a granny annexe might be a good
The Best Recipes for Easter Lunch in Your Annexe
Easter is just around the corner and by the sound of the weather forecast, it’s going to be a scorcher! The annual holiday is the perfect time to gather the
Granny Annexe Objections: Dealing with the Neighbours
Neighbours can be a concern when it comes to building a granny annexe; especially if you think that yours may have objections. Read on for guidance on informing neighbours of
iHUS Granny Annexes: Activities For The Grandkids Over the Easter Holidays
The Easter holidays are almost upon us and any parent knows that means one thing; bored kids! There are only so many days they can entertain themselves before you must
Is Your Garden Suitable for a Granny Annexe & How To Find Out
There is a misconception that in order to install a garden granny annexe on your property you need lots of spare land or that you won’t be able to obtain
Modern Granny Annexes
Last week we talked about traditional granny annexes. This week we are trotting back into 21st century living and looking at modern granny annexes. A granny annexe is a fantastic
Traditional Granny Annexes
A traditional granny annexe can increase the value of the existing property, bring independence to a loved one, and is an attractive addition to a family home. But what makes
What to Consider Before Building A Granny Annexe
Building a granny annexe can be a huge, life-changing decision. It is not one that should be entered into lightly. You are likely to have a million questions, like ‘do
Superfoods for Seniors
If you are lucky enough to still be living independently, or are perhaps caring for a parent, you might be looking for food that is both delicious and will keep
Spring Style Tips for Your Granny Annexe
Spring is almost upon us and we are excited! We love the potential for a whole new beginning and don’t think out beautiful granny annexes should be any different. So,
How To Talk About Care Options With Your Parents
There reaches a time in most of our lives when it is time to talk to about care options with your parent or parents. It might be that you have
Modern Kitchen Features To Fit Your Granny Annex
Many of us pore over glossy images of high end, well designed kitchens thinking ‘if only’. But maybe it isn’t entirely unrealistic to get the sleek design and functionality of
How Do You Get Utilities to Your Granny Annexe?
Amongst the many questions you have when building a granny annexe is how you sort out the utilities. Things like water and electricity are essential for comfortable living and no
World Book Day: The Best Books for Those Living in a Granny Annexe
Seen as tomorrow is World Book Day, we have put together a list of books that anyone living in a granny annexe will find useful. From gardening to design, we’ve
Building a Granny Annexe – Our Process from Start to Finish
One of the greatest reasons to choose iHUS to build your granny annexe is that we manage the entire process from start to finish. We look after every single aspect
Entertaining in Your Granny Annexe – 5 Ideas
Downsizing to a granny annexe doesn’t mean you have to give up your social life or the things you enjoy such as having family come over for dinner. Read our
Granny Annexe Legal Requirements
Planning a granny annexe is a big project and beforehand you will have plenty of questions. Here on the iHUS blog, we try to answer as many of those as
Elderly Care in a Granny Annexe
Elderly care is considered to be in a bit of a crisis in the UK; many elderly people either don’t want to go into residential homes, they or their families
Care Pods and Assisted Living
We’ve talked about the numerous uses for granny annexes before on our blog, one of the great uses is as an assisted living facility. So-called care pods, offer a safe
Granny Annexes for Couples – Valentine’s Day
As tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and love is in the air, we thought we would explore some of our granny annexes for couples. Young or old, romance never dies, and
Granny Annexe Layout – The Best Floorplans From iHUS
Your granny annexe layout needs to maximise living space and make life easier – considering the smaller overall footprint of the building. A tall order but we here at iHUS
Granny Annexe Cladding – Stylish Options From iHUS
When you’re planning your granny annexe with iHUS, one of the most exciting parts of the process is choosing the exterior finish of your annexe. It’s the chance to really
Alternative Uses for Granny Annexes – Two Great Ideas
Believe it or not, granny annexes aren’t just for grannies! There are alternative uses for granny annexes that are beneficial for both financial and practical purposes. Below, we discuss two
Independent Living in a Granny Annexe – 5 Tips
Living in a granny annexe may seem daunting to some people. Especially elderly people who don’t want to sacrifice privacy and independence. It can be difficult to accept that you
Granny Annexe Features That Suit Your Needs
Choosing the right granny annexe features is an important part of your project. Features can be split into two categories – practical and personal. Practical granny annexe features will make
Choosing the Right Bathroom for Your Granny Annexe
The bathroom is an important room in any home and a granny annexe is no exception. Downsizing doesn’t mean losing comfort and functionality – the bathroom in your granny annexe
How Long Does It Take to Build a Granny Annexe?
One of the first questions you will want to ask when building a granny annexe is, how long will it take? This isn’t a straightforward question as there are quite
5 Small Granny Annexe Examples
Small doesn’t mean cramped! If you are looking for a small granny annexe, maybe because you want to downsize, but still want a functional amount of living space, then look
How Much Space Do You Need for a Granny Annexe?
If you have landed on this page, then you are likely thinking of putting a granny annexe in your back garden but might not know if it’s even a possibility
New Year Resolutions for your Granny Annexe
It’s a brand-new year and the start 365 brand new gems of possibilities. Maybe you have made some new year resolutions for your body and mind, but what about making
4 High Quality Granny Annexes For Under £90,000
It can be difficult to choose where to spend your money when to looking to maximise your return on investment in a garden annexe. When you are looking for high
Granny Annexe Council Tax: Financial And Legal Information
One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to considering the overall cost of building a granny annexe in your back garden is concerning the cost of potential
Granny Annexe Designs: Choosing The Right Option For You
When it comes to choosing which granny annexe design is right for you with all the different options available sometimes your heart might start to rule your head. When making this
Grand Designs Live, Birmingham 2017
Grand Designs Live returns to the NEC in Birmingham next month (11th–15th October) and our experts will on-hand to help answer all of your annexe-related questions. We’re located on stand
Introducing Our New Granny Annexe Brochure
If you are thinking about building a granny annex in the back garden and you were wondering where to start, we cordially invite you to request a copy of our
Inspiring Ideas For Your Granny Annexe Interior
IHUS granny annexes are about the same size as a small bungalow so when it comes to decorating ideas, look no further than Pinterest for lots of inspiration about storage,
3 Tips For Granny Annexe Planning Success
As part of our turn-key granny annexe service, we offer advice, assistance and the latest approach to obtaining planning approval for your granny annexe. As part of our turn-key granny
How To Customise Your iHUS Granny Annexe
When you first start looking for the right Granny Annexe size, design and floorplan to suit your needs & personal taste, finding a granny annexe company with a flexible approach
Caring For Elderly Parents: Now And In The Future
We see hundreds of people every year looking to help their elderly parents downsize to an annexe in their garden. The number one reason we see driving the decision to
5 IKEA Hacks That Are Perfect For Granny Annexes
Granny annexes are one-level living like a bungalow with a layout, style and feel of an apartment so when it comes to furnishing your new Granny Annexe you should be
A Useful Guide to Surveying your Garden for a Granny Annexe
Over the last few years your Local Planning Authority will have seen an increase in the number of Planning Applications for Granny Annexes in back gardens. In fact some Local Planning
5 Granny Annexe Interior Design Tips to Make Your Home Fabulous
If you have a list of practical questions, we though we’d inspire you a little with our best tips on how to approach downsizing to a granny annexe with confidence
3 Common Granny Annexe Problems (And How to Solve Them)
Granny Annexes are actually a lot bigger than you think, with the Loversall Extra Plus Huscore annexe extending to 12 metres ( 39’4”) long by 6.35 metres (20’10”) wide it
Introducing The New iHUS Options Brochure
When it comes to choosing which company to build your granny annexe we like to think we’d be at the very top of your list. We’ve got stacks of experience, and build
3 Top Reasons Why Planning For Annexes Might Get Refused
Deciding as a family to build an annexe in the back garden for elderly parents or a family member is a major decision. Multi-generation living in the UK is still a
How Big is a Granny Annexe Compared to a Bungalow?
One of the most frequently asked questions when you are thinking about building an annexe in your back garden is how big are they? Read this blog to find out…
IHUS Best Of 2017 Review
IHUS Best of 2017 Review IHUS celebrate the end of 2017 and look forward to everything 2018 brings, by bringing you a quick overview of some of our favourite moments
Why Granny Annexes May Not Be Just For Granny In The Future
80-90% of our annexes are built for elderly relative care, hence the term often used to describe them “granny annexe. Pre-2011 you would automatically have thought about a log cabin
Granny Annexe Planning: Obtaining Permission to Build
Granny Annexe Planning Permission Made Simple… Obtaining granny annexe planning permission to build your new granny annexe will certainly put you through a whole range of emotions as you decide
How Much Does A Granny Annexe Cost?
Moving into a granny annexe is a big decision. But I think most people who live in a granny annexe would tell you that it is the best decision they
Grand Designs Live, London 2017
Grand Designs Live returns to London’s ExCel from the 29th April – 7th May 2017 and we’ll be there to help answer all your annexe design, build and planning permission
Granny Annexe UK: Proud British Manufacturers
Whether you purchase a product online or in person, your choice will be driven by a host of influencing factors — conscious or not. In the world of construction, these
Introducing The Hatfield Our New L Shaped Granny Annexe
Every garden we visit has it’s own unique set of possible problems when it comes to building a granny annexe in the back garden and an L shaped granny annexe
Granny Annexe Ideas: Design Inspiration from Annexe Projects
Granny annexe ideas can come in many forms. We are so grateful to our wonderful customers who help us create beautiful annexes and inspire others to do the same. iHUS
Granny Annexe: Core, Custom And Contemporary Models
Granny Annex Ranges: Core, Custom & Contemporary Despite the name, a granny annex isn’t just for elderly care. They’re becoming increasingly popular for a much wider range of affordable housing solutions.
Granny Annexe FAQs: Everything You Need To Know
With this being one of the most significant purchases you’re ever likely to make, we’ve compiled the following list of quick-fire FAQ’s to help you make the right decision for
Advice on Buying a Granny Annexe
Buying a new product or service means doing a little bit of research, shopping around suppliers and looking for customer reviews. Buying a garden annexe is no different. Here is some advice from people who have been there, done that and got the annexe.