A number of factors have led to a surge in demand for granny annexes, with the pandemic and an ageing population meaning that more families than ever before are choosing them for their loved ones. One company that has been well placed to make the most of this growing opportunity is Yorkshire-based iHus, which has amassed considerable expertise during 12 years of operation within the sector.
“For over a decade we’ve been building solid foundations for the business to the point where we’re able to provide the UK market with a full range of premier granny annexe solutions,” explains CEO, Trevor Smeaton, who has been utilising all his previous experience working within the timber frame construction sector to develop iHus. “We’re now a group of companies able to offer an unrivalled professional turnkey service that encompasses sales advice, planning and delivery right the way through to handover.”
Supporting iHus’ activities from its site in Doncaster are 30 staff with a range of skills encompassing marketing and sales through to contracts and project management. These are supplemented by 16 site teams with all members of the staff working collaboratively to deliver the company’s target of handing over 100 annexes each year.
This strong infrastructure, coupled with the considerable experience that Mr Smeaton brings to the table, has been integral to iHus’ ability to make the most of the potential currently being seen in the marketplace. “There has been a major uplift in demand but the reality is that we’ve had to create a complicated and sophisticated business model to fully capitalise on the opportunities. To build nationally in a bespoke fast track format is always challenging and while we don’t operate in Scotland, we have carried out projects the length and breadth of England and Wales.
“The marketplace has grown to the extent that it can no longer be classed as a cottage industry. There’s a proven need as people are living longer and there’s greater appreciation of the benefits of inter-generational living. It’s something that has always been bigger in Europe than it has been in the UK but families staying closer together definitely works, not only in terms of keeping people safe but also for financial reasons.”
Whenever a business is able to enjoy the fruits of a buoyant marketplace it must be careful that it doesn’t take on more work than it can handle. Thankfully, this is a trap that iHus has avoided thanks to a forward-thinking approach.
“We have seen significant growth in the past 12 months and during this period we’ve strived to develop in a structured manner with process and procedure being our key drivers, along with sustainability,” highlights Mr Smeaton. “Our management team, our CRMs, our IT systems and our robust infrastructure all allow us to keep taking on an increasing volume of work. We’re looking to constantly build the brand while further promoting awareness of granny annexe multi-generational living and the positive impact it can have. It’s certainly an option well worth exploring for any family unit when the time comes.”
While newer players look to enter the marketplace in an attempt to get their slice of an ever-growing pie, for its part iHus’ experience and track record continue to set it apart from the competition. “Our aim is to maintain a level of service that ensures that the quality remains high and the sector stays safe. We don’t want to see rogue traders or any shortcuts being taken, as every granny annexe should be a safe place to live and therefore needs to be built to strong industry standards. iHus is very much part of that way of thinking and we’ve introduced a comprehensive maintenance package that instils confidence in our offering. This is underpinned by strong training and everyone across the organisation.”
As each iHus project is bespoke, they are all designed specifically to meet the needs of each client. The company’s well-ingrained expertise allows it to develop fully tailored solutions to suit every requirement.
In terms of significant projects that iHus has carried out recently, a job in the Avon Valley near Bath fully tested the company’s capabilities due to it being located on a highly inclined site, as Mr Smeaton outlines: “It entailed a significant amount of excavation and we ended up with a stilted-type foundation. It’s a very eye-catching building and was structurally challenging as well. Given the difficult nature of the project, it really underlined our ability to think outside the box in order to overcome the hurdles that lay in the way. This is where the bespoke element comes in. Not every garden is completely flat and ultimately every project will have its own challenges. As a business we’re always looking at ways to meet those challenges in the most appropriate manner.”
Away from the difficulties that crop on the projects, iHus is also not alone in having to contend with the challenges that are currently affecting the wider market, such as rising materials costs. “It’s a challenge for everyone but we have been able to keep a level of rationale across the business without lifting prices for our own clients. This has been made possible by the good relationships we have built up with our supply chain, as we work with a select core of service providers and materials suppliers. We will only stay with suppliers we trust and we put a great deal of effort into building relationships in the long term, which is an approach that is working well.”
When these robust supplier relationships are married to the experience and expertise that iHus commands, it has been perfectly placed to make the most of the growing market opportunities.
“The sector is continuing to grow strongly and we’re committed to maintaining the high standards that we’ve set ourselves, while also keeping up with demand. Next year we will be developing a larger manufacturing facility to further support our growth. We have also just extended our offices and our storage depots, all of which means we’re geared up for further growth.
“We remain 100 per cent focused on the garden annex market as I’m a strong believer in doing what you do and doing it well. This is a sector that deserves and demands an awful lot of effort and attention. We certainly have the skills to move into areas such as garden offices, but we don’t want to risk diluting our offering and our brand. We want to become the ‘go to’ company for garden annexes and to be the most recognisable name within the sector.”
Given that iHus has been involved in the granny sector for such a long time, it certainly has all the attributes to fulfil this ambition and make the most of the potential the marketplace is continuing to offer.