It’s a rare opportunity for people to design and build their own bespoke, brand-new home – unless you’re investing in an annexe for garden living that is.
Annexes are chosen by countless property owners across the country, each of whom have their own unique requirements, vision, build journey, and end result.
Below, we’ve shared some key benefits and uses of granny annexe garden living spaces, and given you the chance to meet some of our iHus families.
Why did our customers opt for an annexe?
Customers choose annexes for a long list of reasons (each of which are as unique as the families themselves!).
Thanks to their extensive benefits, customisability and versatility, annexes are a fantastic match for a wide range of budgets, families and properties.
These are just a handful of the reasons why customers choose to build an annexe.
Multigenerational living
One of the most common reasons why our iHus families chose to build an annexe is to add multigenerational living areas to their property.
Jeanne and her family are a wonderful example of how annexes can support multigenerational living arrangements, and give older people the full benefits of both independence and convenient proximity to their loved ones.
“I didn’t think I would feel at home so quickly, but I do.”
“I had a four-bedroomed house with a reasonable sized garden, which I managed on my own… which I enjoyed, but coming here, I have less to do, which is also very nice! I’m very happy here,” Jeanne says.
At 93 years young, Jeanne decided that it was the right time for her to move closer to her family. She wanted to be close to her daughter and son-in-law and spend as much quality time with her grandchildren as possible.
“The whole idea was for me to be closer to my family, and that really is very, very nice. It’s nice to be independent, but it’s also very nice to know that, should I need them – if I can’t get the top off the jar! – I can go down the garden, and someone will do it for me.”
“I think going into a care home, there’s an acceptance of old age and you’re planted there… but I think that coming to an annexe, you can almost pretend that it’s just an extension of your life, because, with your independence, not a lot has changed. Just a smaller area to take care of,” Jeanne explains.
For Jeanne, an annexe enabled her to create lifelong memories and downsize into a cosy home that meets all her living requirements, while still being completely independent.
As a result of rising house prices and a tricky housing market, multigenerational living is quickly becoming an increasingly popular option.
Alongside elderly people, it is also an in-demand solution for young adults, as annexes give them an alternative route to independent living. They are able to enjoy all the freedom that comes with living in your own pad, while avoiding sky-high rent costs and giving them more time to save for a deposit.
Downsizing or moving to a new area
For homeowners looking to downsize or move to a new area, an annexe offers a convenient and easily accessible option.
A fantastic example of this annexe use case is Fir Tree Cottage. The family relocated to their new annexe after moving from South Africa.
“We are from South Africa, and why we moved here is because of Covid. Both our daughters are from the UK, and we have no other children. They were very concerned about us, and wanted us to be closer to them,” the family explains.
By choosing this solution, their move was made more convenient and seamless, while allowing them to live alongside their two daughters. Plus, as they were planning their big move, the iHus team ensured they felt supported and informed throughout the entire process.
“It was on the internet that we researched a number of companies, some of which didn’t even come back to us. But from beginning to end, all our interaction with iHus was professional, it was slick, and the introduction that we had with Jane and Andrew was just great. The whole process, all the way through, was just what we were looking for.”
“It’s that confidence which is so important when you’re 6,000 miles away, and you have no physical contact whatsoever. You need to have trust and confidence in the people that you’re dealing with… we exchanged drawings, plans, and discussions around just about every single decision, because there are dozens (if not hundreds) of decisions in the final build, and he helped us through the whole thing.”
Annexes can be affordably built in most gardens and, with the guidance of professional annexe specialists, it is an easy and efficient process.
It means that homeowners can downsize to a smaller yet custom-built home (and enjoy all the benefits that the extra capital offers!), or live in the same area as their loved ones, which they might not otherwise be able to access.
For additional in-home care and living support
For people who have an illness or physical disability that would affect their ability to live on their own, annexes offer the perfect arrangement. They allow people to live with easy access to their loved ones, while still enabling them to retain their independence and full quality of life.
That way, they can receive immediate support or assistance whenever they need it, without having to move into a care home or pay for assisted living.
Wendy Hamm and her family decided to invest in building an annexe in her garden so that her mother Jane could be closer to the family. Jane was living over an hour’s drive away from the family, and Wendy’s day-to-day responsibilities meant that she could not visit Jane as often as she would have wished.
In the years before the build, Wendy explained that her mother had experienced a few health issues, which had knocked her confidence and made her feel more vulnerable. So, to ensure Jane’s health needs and emotional well-being were supported, the family decided that an annexe would be the perfect solution.
“Having the annexe has made things very easy for us, we’re able to come and help whenever we need to for ten minutes here and there. Mum can have her complete independence and we do too, but the ability to be there for one another when we need it is fantastic, it’s amazing!” Wendy says.
“I’ve only got one granddaughter but I’m really getting to know her now. She didn’t always want the 2-hour journey to see me, but now it’s so easy. So I’m loving it – from the moment I walked through the door I have loved it! I wake up every morning happy thinking, ‘Yes I’m here!’” Jane added.
Why choose iHus?
At iHus, we are proud to be one of the UK’s leading suppliers of annexes and garden living spaces.
We work with property owners across the country to develop bespoke, state-of-the-art annexes, which fulfil all of their unique garden living requirements.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our products, our tailored approach, and the expertise of our friendly team.
By choosing iHus to supply your annexe, you can:
- Ensure an easy and convenient build process – at iHus, we have extensive experience working with property owners and families like yours to design and build their perfect annexe. We have developed an efficient, convenient and seamless build process, following a timeline that suits you. At the same time, our clients are involved at every step in the process, to ensure their new annexe achieves the perfect fit for them.
- Explore a wide range of annexe options – we have an extensive range of annexe options to choose from. These are quick and easy to order and also include numerous opportunities for customisation and flexibility.
- Work with a skilled team of annexe specialists – we take immense pride in our customer service, and the iHus team of builders and specialists are renowned for their friendly, personable service. We work with all our clients on a close one-to-one basis, ensuring they are informed and involved throughout the entire process.
- Design a completely customised annexe – having worked with hundreds of families, we have the experience, tools and know-how to develop annexes that tick all our customers’ boxes. We work with our customers to devise and build a bespoke annexe, which enhances their homes for many years to come.
- Access a comprehensive after-care service – even after the build has been completed, our team are on hand to continue providing after-care and support. With our dedicated team, you can ensure your annexe retains the same flawless aesthetics, accessible solutions and high-performance standards.
Start your process to annexe garden living today
If you have any further questions about the range of annexes that we offer, or to speak to a member of the iHus team about the options available for your new garden living space, give us a call today!
