A suburb of flat blocks and long-held homes
Warilla sits on the south-eastern side of Lake Illawarra, and most of its streets are flat. Blocks are generous compared with newer estates. That mix of land and housing is what makes granny flats and ground-level extensions the most practical jobs here.
The suburb has a real spread of family homes and rentals, and a granny flat can turn a spare back yard into a second income or somewhere for family to live. Where the house itself is short of room, an extension does that job instead.
Granny flats
The aim on a Warilla block is to place the flat so both households keep a decent private yard. Complying development is available on lots of at least 450 square metres with up to 60 square metres of floor area (measured to the outer face of the external walls), and a private certifier can sign it off without a full council assessment. Where a lot falls outside those standards, it goes to Shellharbour City Council as a development application.
Placement is settled on site. Sewer lines, easements and setbacks, plus the position of the existing house, decide the compliant footprint before any floor plan is drawn. Our granny flat designs page shows the studio, one and two-bedroom layouts that fit, and the granny flat cost page explains what is included in a price.
For a timeline, read how long it takes to build a granny flat.
Near the lake
Lake Illawarra makes flooding a real question for some Warilla addresses. Land close to the water may be mapped as a flood control lot, which has its own standards in the Housing Code. We look at the mapping before a design is drawn, so the floor level and construction are right from the start.
Waterside air also affects specification. Fixings, flashings and window hardware are chosen for a damp, salt-influenced setting. For a house that is already built, our guides on damp and mould in older Illawarra homes and ventilating an older Illawarra house are worth reading before a renovation.
Paying for the job
Renovation loans and construction loans are fair questions to raise before starting. We are builders, not lenders, and we do not advise on finance. What we can say is that lenders usually ask for a fixed-price contract, plans and approvals, and our proposals are written in that form. Read fixed-price versus cost-plus building contracts to understand what you would be signing.
Single-storey extensions and renovations
Flat blocks make single-storey extensions straightforward. A new bedroom, a larger kitchen and living space, or a second bathroom can usually be added at ground level without engineering a new upper floor. The home extensions service covers the process, and the home renovations service covers reworking an existing layout.
Warilla is a short drive from our Unanderra base. Oak Flats is a short way west, past Mount Warrigal, and the lake runs along Warilla's northern edge.
Questions from Warilla
Does a granny flat suit a typical Warilla block?
Usually, since the blocks are flat and generous. A secondary dwelling can be approved as complying development on a lot of at least 450 square metres, and a lot of Warilla lots clear that. Sewer lines, easements and the position of the house decide where the flat actually fits.
Can I use a renovation loan or construction loan with Ovas Build?
We cannot give finance advice, but lenders generally want a fixed-price contract, plans and approvals before they release funds. Our proposals are fixed-price, which is the form of contract lenders generally look for. Ask your lender or broker which loan type they would use.
How long does a granny flat take to build?
The build time depends on size and site, and our guide on how long it takes to build a granny flat breaks the stages down. Approvals and design come before the build and can take as long as construction.
Do you build in Warilla for investors as well as owner-occupiers?
Yes. Warilla has a spread of family homes and rentals, and a granny flat adds a second dwelling for family or rent. The build specification is the same either way.
Is flood mapping a concern near the lake?
Land close to Lake Illawarra can be mapped as a flood control lot, which has its own standards in the Housing Code. We check the mapping for the address before a design is drawn.