to Granny Annexe – The smart care home alternative
For many of us, the importance of the health and wellbeing of our loved ones is paramount throughout our lifetime.
While this may be a difficult topic to think about, one day you or a loved one may need to consider the care options that are available for later life years. There are various options available to suit a multitude of needs, but it is certainly recommended that you start to consider what is available sooner rather than later.
First port of call is usually the range of care homes that may potentially work for your situation. There are many factors that would influence the cost of a care home, including regionality and the level of services and environment you would need from the home (homes can vary from standard to luxury). In England, the costs of residential care homes can range from a national average of £700 per week to a staggering £1200 in the south. Annually that is a national average of £33,792 per year.
“The average cost of residential care in a care home in the UK costs £704 a week…Per month, this comes to £2816 for residential care”*
* https://www.carehome.co.uk/advice/care-home-fees-and-costs-how-much-do-you-pay
In the care conundrum you may find yourself in, and the significant costs implications that brings, a granny annexe is an option that could make perfect financial sense for you and your family.
Example case study: Northwich Annexe – 10.0m x 5.5m – £125,000
- Unique design with overall footprint of 10.0m x 5.5m
- Sheltered outside porch with small storage cupboard internal space
- Aluminium framed windows and doors with powder-coated finish
- Argon filled, sealed double-glazed units with toughened glass
- Western Red Cedar cladding
- Cat flap incorporated
- Bathroom with extractor fan and heated towel rail
- Electric radiators
- Internal & external Collingwood LED downlights
- Fully decorated, floored and ready for occupation on handover
- Planning permission successfully gained
- Building Regulations met
This fabulous, one-bedroom annexe was designed and built specifically for our clients David and Rosie North. The design of their new home evolved through a detailed collaborative process between the North’s and our experienced design team.
In November 2021, the North’s moved into their new home at the bottom of their garden and family members moved in to the original, main house.
The cost of their annexe today would be in the region of £125,000. In a direct comparison of costs, for both David and Rosie to be in residential care for just 2 years would be approximately £135,168.
So, to look at this decision from a purely financial angle, it’s easy to see how much this makes sense. This later life solution will have literally paid for itself in 2 years.
Besides the obvious financial benefit, our clients have also gained significantly in many other ways.
The decision to move into the annexe living not only allows Rosie and David to live independently, but by building an annexe in their own garden, they also feel that they can remain fully connected to their existing community, friends and networks as well as retaining the same address (and GP).
In addition, the North’s were able to smoothly transition their beloved dogs and cats to their new home at the bottom of the garden. A new home that sits snuggle next door to their art studio/shed where the couple can enjoy their retirement indulging in their love for art.
How could your family benefit from a granny annexe?
A Swift annexe will be designed with your loved one in mind and can be future proofed for potential ailments and restrictions that may come with old age.
Typically, we would suggest your annexe is open plan and as spacious as the footprint will allow. It can also include optional extras such as wet rooms, low thresholds, wider doors, and grab rails.
Bringing families together – Peace of mind
Unfortunately, loneliness can become an issue as we age. An annex in the garden is a great way to keep family members close and keep loneliness at bay. You’ll have the peace of mind that you’ll be there, if they need you to be…your family will get to spend quality time together. – within reach, but enabling them to enjoy the level of independence that they want.
Peace of mind is important to us here at Swift which is why we will always advise that you seek planning permission for your new garden home. To have assurance that your annexe is built to house-quality standards and peace of mind that your building will not be under any threat of needing to be removed in the future, we feel that planning permission is vital. We will not try to build your loved one’s new home under the Caravan Act to avoid planning.
We employ experts on your behalf who will take care of the planning permission process for you.
Sound Investment
Swift are proud to say that we offer deposit protection and a 15-year building warranty on all of our buildings. Your Swift Unlimited Annexe will be built to last and our buildings are always flexible enough to evolve as you and your family’s needs change. Today’s granny annexe can be tomorrow’s guest suite or first independent home for an older child.
In a recent study on Checkatrade it states that by adding an annexe to your property: “It’s estimated that you could add up to 20-30% to the value of your property”. Adding high quality, versatile space, such as a Swift Annexe, will almost always add value to your home.
“It took all of our savings and a loan to pay for this project but having done a lot of research we realized that even selling our house and using those savings would not have kept us in a nursing home for very long.”
David North, Northwich
It is great to take that step and have a plan to ensure that you have control of the care options available for an elderly relative, rather than deciding in crisis.
A Swift living annexe can provide a cost effective solution as well as being the ideal balance between care and independence. With over 16-years industry experience, our friendly team is happy to answer any of your question.
