Many people exploring the option of annexe living soon discover the potential cost benefits of doing so, whether the annexe is to house an elderly relative whos wellbeing you are concerned for, or a younger person struggling to afford a house of their own. Adding an annexe to a property can provide many cost saving benefits for both the homeowner, and the annexe occupier, as well as the potential to increase the value of the main property.
With a granny annexe, sky high care home costs can be avoided as well as the daunting worry of a relative living alone. You can pop in to see them daily to check they are ok, as well as sharing cleaning duties, childcare and bills. If you’re wondering whether the annexe cost could be a financially beneficial move for you and your family, this blog will address some of the main money saving benefits of annexe living, or you can jump straight to our financial guide to annexe living for a more in-depth analysis of the cost savings available.
Affordable Housing for our Younger generation
Historically a granny annexe has been used to house elderly family members, whilst also maintaining their all important independence. However in recent years, annexes have had a rebirth, becoming a practical financial move for the younger generation. On average, an annexe costs a fraction of the price of a house and therefore many younger adults are opting to live in a granny annexe in their parents gardens whilst they save to buy their own house. Not only this, but some families are choosing to move out of rented accommodation or even sell up and move into their parents back garden into an annexe which is cheaper & closer to parents. Thus enabling them with the shared cost of bills, the cost of childcare and more. This perhaps is a contributing factor toward the 89 percent increase in the number of buyers and renters searching for the term ‘annex’ or ‘annexe’ in January 2021, according to the UK’s largest property portal Rightmove.
Another benefit of an annexe is the multi-use aspect of the added space. Once the younger occupant has moved on into a property of their own, the annexe could then be used to house an elderly relative, or used as a place for guests to have their own space when staying over.
Annexe Cost of Bills
As many of us notice a clear hike in prices as a result of the current cost of living crisis, there’s bound to be an abundance of uncertainty for many Brits surrounding future bill payments. With a granny annexe’s service run being one that is connected to the main household, the annexe owner and main household both benefit from shared bills.
Although adding an annexe will naturally incur higher energy bills with there being 2 spaces to heat, our customer reviews consistently report a minimal difference in the cost of their overall electricity bills since adding their annexe to their property. This may be due to the fact that an iHus annexe is very well insulated and glazed using high quality materials throughout which exceed building regulations. Granny annexes are naturally smaller than a 2 story house which boasts benefits especially in the winter months where it takes much less energy to keep heated. In all, an annexe can be significantly cheaper than a home to heat, a smaller new build annexe is likely to be much cheaper to run than a larger Victorian building, for example. Bills such as broadband, streaming services and subscriptions usually offer a family deal so you can have multiple accounts on one address and spread the costs between the annexe occupier and main household owner.
What’s more, is renewable energy sources can be added to your annexe to make further savings on the cost of bills. Our accredited solar install partners VSL, are well-versed in installing solar panels and can add them to your custom-build annexe with ease. Providing top-tier installation, not just on solar panels – but all our fixtures and fittings, we’ll create a comfortable space that requires much less energy to burn.
Annexe Cost Versus The Cost of Care
Many people wish to move elderly relatives into a granny annexe to keep them closer and provide them with any help and support they should need. This is the case for a large proportion of our customers here at iHus, which is no surprise when the average cost of residential care is now £704 per week, and for those who require a nursing home look to pay around £888 per week. Whether a relative is elderly or has difficulties living 100% independently and requires in-home care from their annexe this would cost approximately £240, and significantly less if members of the main household are able to help out with some of the care that is required free-of-charge. Statistics show that 1 in 8 people in the UK, around 6.5 million in total, act as informal caregivers to older or disabled relatives. In these cases, moving into a granny annexe offers a cost-effective alternative.
This is in fact a key reason our brand ambassador Tony Blackburn purchased his iHus annexe, to house his ageing mother-in-law, who now requires in-home care but is close by to the family.
He said: “My wife’s Mum is older and we didn’t want to put her into a care home. She wanted to be closer to us. Now, she’s 99 and has carers coming in to help out. From their point of view, everything in the annexe is easy to operate. All in all, it was a win-win situation and the whole process was terrific.” Our customers also report that caregiver professionals have commented on how easy it is to operate everything within the annexe when providing care that the occupant requires.
Here at iHus, we tailor every granny annexe to the needs of our customers – regardless of who they are. We offer a wide range of options to assist those in the later stages of retirement with independent living. From open-layout footprints, to the installation of various aids – such as handrails and wetrooms, we’ll work with you to find a solution that puts off the need for costly care options, for as long as possible.
Adding Value to your Property
As well as the abundance of positives the annexe can have on the occupier, house owner and wider family, adding an annexe to a property can in-fact be a sound long term investment. According to check a trade, adding an annexe is estimated to add as much as 20 percent to the value of a property. Our customers said ‘‘When we went to our local estate agents Peter Sharvell, we were pleasantly surprised by the impact the annexe has had on the value of the property’’. One key factor contributing toward the rise in value of homes with granny annexes may well be the rise in demand for such garden buildings since the pandemic, where Rightmove saw an 89% increase in the number of buyers searching for this term. Should you seek to sell your home in the future, your garden annexe could indeed increase the value of the sale.
Effects on Well-Being
It’s the job of parents to care for a child throughout their childhood into early adulthood, however once a parent becomes older the shift changes. Parents may start to develop health issues, or difficulties with daily tasks, and often the now grown up child wishes to help are for their parents. This could be in the form of frequent visits to visit the parent to help with cooking and cleaning, which can sometimes prove difficult with the busy lives we live in modern times. Perhaps a parent lives alone, or the thought of putting them into a care home just doesn’t feel right, we can start to feel guilty about their standard of living; it’s no surprise that an annexe is a growing trend due to the benefits that come in hand with living closer to loved ones.
A recent survey by Legal & General found that 4 in 5 respondents who lived in multigenerational homes believed they were better off due to it. And that parents loved having grandparents around to help out with childcare. Furthermore, parents also appreciated the shared financial responsibility, the help with household chores and the joy of a closer family bond that came with grandparents living nearby. Many of our customers here at iHus, talk about sharing duties such as childcare, gardening, and food shopping; meaning that the whole family benefit in some form due to this way of life.
Ultimately, the survey confirmed what we at iHus know all too well: 80% of those who responded who already enjoyed living as a wider family unit felt their lives were the richer for it.
Trust in iHus
Our expert team of annexe professionals have more than ten years of experience – and over 400 bespoke, garden home constructions, under their belt. We’re well-versed in the financial difficulties people are currently facing, which is why we’re always happy to lend some expert advice as to how an annexe could benefit you. So, get in touch with our friendly team today and discover how we can help create an annexe space that you – or your family, can truly call home.
