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Cottage Building 101
By Allan Britnell
“Location,
location, location” is an age-old axiom in the real estate business.
And nowhere is that more applicable than in cottage country where the
building is often just a setting for taking in the view. But what if
you could combine your dream home with your ideal vista? That’s the
reality of building a cottage from the ground up.
Lots to think about
There are two options for finding a building lot: Buy an existing
cottage and tear it down, or buy vacant land.
One upside to teardowns is that you may be able to capitalize
on many of the existing amenities, such as road access,
hydro lines, and possibly even the septic system. And
you can often build on the old footprint - which may
be a lot closer to the lake than the new regulations
permit. On the other hand, buying vacant land is usually
the cheaper option. When lot shopping, be sure to ask
questions, such as:
- Does the lot have road access (or do you have
to boat or fly in)? Is access year-round?
- Is the lot serviced with hydro (and telephone) lines? If not, what would it cost to bring utilities in?
- Is the shoreline suitable for a dock, and for swimming?
- What are the local zoning restrictions related to new construction and septic systems?
- How are the sightlines from possible building sites?
Design dilemmas
You’ve got a few choices when
deciding on a building for a vacant lot. You can opt
for a prefabricated cottage, an entirely original design,
or buy one of the many cottage plans on the market today.
Prefab may cost less and gives you the benefit of a
tried-and-true design. You may even be able to visit
a model to see exactly what your cottage will look like
before construction starts.
Instead you might opt to hire a professional to design
the retreat of your dreams. If you go this route, the
process will likely take longer and is often more expensive
but, in the end, every room will be precisely how and
where you want it.
Don’t let setbacks set
you back
In an effort to
preserve the beauty and ecological health of Ontario’s
lakes, governments have created stringent rules for lakeside
development. Exact distances for minimum building setbacks
vary by municipality; in some, you may be allowed to
construct a boathouse with a guest suite, in others you
might be restricted on how and where you can build a
dock. Consult with the municipal building department
for specific bylaws in your area. Many post this information
online. Not sure what your municipality’s website
address is? You’ll find it on the Association
of Municipalities of Ontario website.
Knowledge is power
When building a cottage from scratch,
you’ll have to make dozens of decisions about which
materials to use, from flooring and bathroom fixtures,
to siding and roofing. One of the best sources for unbiased
info on building materials is the Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation. On their searchable
website you’ll find planning guides, fact sheets,
and videos on a variety of construction-related topics.
Price check
Before deciding on a general contractor
(or any other tradesperson) you should get a minimum
of three estimates for the work. Ask for a detailed breakdown
of the costs so you can accurately compare each. (A number
scrawled on the back of a business card is not sufficient,
a detailed summary of what your dollars will buy is.)
It’s also essential to ask for, and to check, references.
To help get a sense of what various materials and services
cost and gauge the accuracy of each quote, read the “Renovation
and Building Costs” document on the Ontario
Contractors website. Contractors
do pay to be included in this listing, but it can be a
good starting point for your research.
Share your cottage building plans or experience:
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Cottage Life magazine, and may be edited for length and
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Copyright
© 2006 by Cottage Life. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any
article, photograph, or artwork, for other than personal use, in whole
or in part, without the written permission of the publisher is strictly
forbidden.
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