5 cottages you can build or buy

Mini cottage

The living area varies between 300 and 700 sq. ft. This loft-style cottage generally has a large open-plan room that can accommodate two to four people. It’s ideal for people looking for a simple, comfortable, and functional home. It can be built on a foundation, a floating slab, or pilings. CAA-Quebec’s Residential Advisory Services can help you with choosing the right foundation for your lot or at any other stage of your project.

Pros: Inexpensive, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance (so there’s more time for leisure activities!)

Cons: This type of dwelling is not allowed everywhere (check municipal by-laws)

Eco-friendly cottage

This cottage comes in different shapes and sizes, incorporating eco-friendly components:

• Materials with a low environmental impact (wood panelling for walls and ceilings, exterior cladding made of cedar panels and sheet metal, VOC-free or recycled materials, etc.)
• Engineered wood
• Energy Star certified triple-glazed windows and doors
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures
• Energy efficiency optimization system
• LED lights
• Waste water heat recovery unit

Pros: Lets you live in harmony with nature while maintaining quality of life

Cons: Some components cost more

Glamping cottage

This is the ideal cottage for nature lovers who are not keen on sleeping in a tent. Glamping (short for “glamorous camping”) is actually luxury camping. This type of dwelling can be a tree house or a yurt. We’re talking strictly minimum equipment: a kitchenette, bed, water tank, and heating system. Showers and toilets are usually outside. Very rustic!

Pros: Minimal cost and maintenance

Cons: Lack of modern conveniences; not an investment that can grow in value

Prefabricated cottage kit

This cottage is delivered in parts, ready to be assembled by the buyer or a contractor. A basic kit generally includes what is known as the “shell,” i.e., the frame, walls, roof, exterior finish, doors, and windows. The buyer is responsible for the foundation work, the installation of an artesian well and a septic tank, and the interior finishing (plumbing, heating, carpentry, flooring, etc.).

Pros: Fast installation; generally performs well environmentally

Cons: Choice is limited to preselected models

Intergenerational cottage

The concept of the intergenerational house has been carried over to the cottage. Multiple members of the same family (parents/grandparents, parents/children, siblings, etc.) share a common structure with separate units.

Pros: Shared costs; fosters mutual aid and togetherness

Cons: You’re not the sole owner

Properly insuring your cottage

Insurance on a cottage varies according to the amount of time you plan to spend there. If you plan to stay there only occasionally, such as in the summer (for water sports) or winter (for skiing), your cottage will be covered by seasonal home insurance. This is a basic policy with limited coverage.

However, if you use it every weekend, it will be covered by a homeowner insurance policy like a primary residence. Some conditions may apply, such as having all-weather road access, not renting your cottage out, compliance with construction standards, etc. Ask your home insurer about the exclusions and endorsements available and choose the best coverage for your situation.