A  pair of Geelong tradies is cashing in on demand for affordable housing  options by building custom self-contained apartments out of shipping  containers.

Business  is flourishing for plumber Ron Hartshorne and carpenter Jesse O’Connor  as orders flow in from customers looking to beat steep house prices.

Changes  to Victorian planning provisions introduced late last year means a  planning permit is no longer required to install a granny flat up to 60  square metres in most back yards.

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Mr  Hartshorne said he and Mr O’Connor saw a gap in the market when they  decided to launch their company, Geelong Tiny Homes (GTH) Living, 12  months ago.

He said their first studio-style home triggered a wave of inquiry, which has since led to more orders.

While  that small dwelling had a steel frame, the business is now building  with shipping containers that can be converted into a unit in as little  as a month.

Jennifer Owen looks after the interior design on the shipping container granny flats. Picture: Alan Barber

Plumber  Ron Hartshorne has teamed up with carpenter Jesse O’Connor to build  granny flats/small apartments out of shipping containers. Picture: Alan  Barber

The bathroom has floor to ceiling tiles. Picture: Alan Barber

“We look at granny flats and they’re getting expensive, they are like $150,000 or even more,” Mr Hartshorne said.

“We  can do these for, it depends what people want obviously, but if they  want standard stuff we can probably do one for about $70,000.

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“We  have got one on site at the moment that’s like a luxury apartment – it  has got all the flash stuff so that is probably nearly $100,000.”

The shipping container homes come with either one or two bedrooms, a living area, kitchen and bathroom/laundry.

It can be self-contained with a composting or macerating toilet or connected to existing plumbing systems on site.

The display suite has sliding doors onto a deck. Picture: Alan Barber

The units come with either one or two bedrooms. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr  Hartshorne said the customisable small homes were a great solution for  those seeking to accommodate older children priced out of the rental or  housing markets or elderly parents.

“I’m doing one for someone and it’s for his son out the back, just to keep him around home,” he said.

“We  have got another lady who wants one for an art gallery. We’re also  thinking of doing one with a sauna in it as well, like a health  retreat.”

The  Victorian Government’s decision to cut red tape around granny flats as  part of its Housing Statement is aimed boosting housing supply across  the state.

Building  permits are still required to ensure the dwellings meets siting and  safety requirements, while planning permits still needed in areas with  potential bushfire or flooding hazards.

Originally published as Custom shipping container granny flats keep affordable home dream alive