Backyard Annex: Building a Family Retreat
Sacha Warren of Surrey,England,masterfully crafted an annex,showing how to build a family retreat that fosters both independence and closeness.Discover how she built this backyard haven for her daughter and partner, navigating a six-week construction project that cost £70,000. Learn how sharing childcare and meals cements family bonds, creating a supportive living arrangement. News Directory 3 reports Warren’s innovative approach, highlighting the financial prudence and emotional benefits of this multigenerational living solution. See how Warren’s proactive steps helped her family. Discover what’s next …
Surrey Woman Builds annex for Daughter, Creating a “Slice of Heaven”
Sacha Warren, of Surrey, England, transformed her property by building an annex in her garden for her daughter and her partner.Warren, who bought her house in Epsom in 2001, saw this as a way to provide her family with independence while keeping them close.
Warren secured her first property in 1997 with a deposit from her father. Selling it later provided a significant deposit for her current home.In 2005, a developer proposed building bungalows on her land, but the plan fell through due to access issues.
The idea of building an annex came about when Warren’s daughter and her boyfriend were expecting a child. They were living with Warren and paying £350 monthly rent. The rising cost of property in the area concerned Warren, who wanted to help her daughter avoid a large mortgage.
After researching options, Warren found a local company to build the annex. The construction took six weeks and cost £70,000. Warren considered renting the annex in the future to offset costs. The sewage system maintenance costs £750 annually, which her daughter and partner cover.
The family moved into the annex in September 2024, before the baby’s arrival in january 2024. Warren cherishes the time spent sharing her grandson’s early days. The family communicates via WhatsApp and enjoys spontaneous visits on the patio. They share meals when one cooks too much, fostering a sense of community.
Warren and her daughter work for the same dementia care company, coordinating their 28-hour work weeks. Warren assists with babysitting, along with the baby’s paternal grandmother.
Warren said she intends to stay in her home permanently, noting that her daughter will inherit it. She added that if her daughter decides to have more children, Warren and her husband might move into the annex.
This is our little slice of heaven.