The memories you have are wonderful but when you take possession of it and walk through the place you and your partner realize something;
- the cottage is very small.
- the cottage is very old.
- the cottage is starting to fall apart.
- the cottage just doesn't work for you and your growing family.
- the cottage is missing a lot of the modern things that you and your family have come to rely on.
- there's parts of the cottage that aren't safe for children.
- the cottage cannot be used when it gets colder.
The best thing you can do is find a contractor that you can work with, a contractor that won't lie to you just to get work, someone that will tell you exactly what you don't want to hear.
First things first. The cost of fixing up the cottage, making it bigger and winterizing it could cost as much or more as building a brand new cottage!
But the reason that you have the old family cottage isn't because of a financial decision it is more a sentimental one. That means that the cottage has more value to you then to anyone else. So tearing it down is not an option for you.
So renovations and additions it is, that is the only way to keep the cottage that your family has had for generations and still make it livable for you and your family.
The good thing about renovations and additions is that they don't all have to be completed at one time. They can also be done in a way that still allows you to use the cottage, probably in a limited capacity but still enough to make more family memories.
Most young families don't have the budget to fix up the entire cottage at one time. So a fazed approach into renovations and additions is what most people opt for.
The order in what you do the work is more personal choice then anything. Usually safety is the first priority. You should repair or replace anything that posses a threat to your children or your health like rotten wood or mold. Or foundation problems that could lead to structural damage over the winter months.
The addition per square foot will cost the most out of all the work but it does give you something that the rest of your renovations or repairs doesn't; more space. Most cottages are small, the only way to get more space is to add more square footage to the cottage.
For major renovations and additions you need to work with your contractor, they can help you get drawings and plans that you will need to get permits and approvals from the local municipality.
Construction is expensive, so the better your plans the better chance you will have in maximizing every dollar and getting exactly what you want.
Plans will also allow you to keep the character of the family cottage while updating it and modernizing.
If your wanting to give that family cottage an update then email me and let's see if I can help.
greatlakescustomhomes@gmail.com
Rob Abbott
Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.
