The Design Build Process
A Cottage Home is a custom home. Our goal is to provide you with an outstanding design/build experience. We work closely with those who are interested in quality, uniqueness, and an opportunity to live in great design. Our reputation has grown on our ability to design and build a home that mirrors your lifestyle, without compromise.
A majority of our homes begin with a vacant site, a vision and a process of achieving that vision. Designing and building the Cottage Home of your dreams is an evolution of ideas, styles, materials and budgets. In addition to being collaborative and enjoyable, your new home will be completed on time, and at a fixed price. Brian Bosgraaf leads our design/build team ... of which you are an important member. Here is how our process works:
1. You Purchase Your Cottage Home Property
Clients often begin by purchasing a home site from among those available within our communities. We may also consider building on your lakefront property, and will discuss those options during our initial meeting.
2. You Learn About Your Lifestyle and Your Dream Home
Brian will spend time with you, at a convenient place, discussing your current and future home needs. He'll understand your space requirements, privacy needs, lifestyle and hobbies and if applicable, the children's or grandchildren's needs.
3. Commitment and Opportunity
Cottage Home only builds homes we design, and we only design homes we plan to build. Cottage Home also limits the number of homes we build to no more than ten per year. Some of the more challenging lakefront sites may take 6-12 months to achieve all the approvals and permits. That is why it is important that we team up with clients who are as committed and focused as ourselves.
The "Professional Service Agreement" hires the team of experienced professionals at Cottage Home to make your dreams a reality. The "Start Date Agreement" reserves your home construction start day, but more importantly, it schedules the completion date, when you'll begin to enjoy your lakefront dream.
4. Building the Home on Paper - Detailed Construction Documentation is the Key
Once all your wants, wishes and dreams are captured in the sketches, and the site conditions, regulations and utilities are determined, the real work begins. Cottage Home's own Architectural Draftsperson, Construction Manager and Client Liaison develop detailed construction drawings and specification sheets. From the most critical and dynamic mechanical systems, to the most thoughtful and clever interior trim details, everything in thoroughly thought out and documented.
Cottage Home only builds homes as fixed price contracts, which match your design budget. Cottage Home has a contracted completion date on every home before we start. Our fixed price and guaranteed completion dates are two foundational principles that separate the Cottage Home team from the others. It's also why our clients call our building process "fun".
5. Your Cottage Home Comes to Life
A team of the best artisans and trades people are coordinated with precision and control to ensure the highest quality results. Consistency, predictability and accountability are trademarks of Cottage Home's construction activities. Through this exciting and creative experience, you will have unlimited access to Cottage Home's Client Liaison, who will consistently provide you with construction status updates via email, telephone and photographs.
6. You Enjoy Your Cottage Home
When the big day arrives, you'll spend time with Brian in your home orientation walkthrough, as he reviews each area of your new home with you. We are happy to offer you any assistance you may need for move-in. After that, you'll continue to be impressed by Cottage Home and our efficient warranty service program. We want you to be as happy with and excited about your new beach house as we are, and look forward to maintaining our relationship with you as a Cottage Home customer for life!
Due to our limited available Design/Build start dates, we encourage to you begin this exciting process at your earliest convenience. Please visit our Available Properties page for current listings and contact us to begin your Cottage Home experience.
