Second buildings
Guest houses and carriage houses
A second building on the lot, from a studio over the garage to a small guest cottage.
Extra beds for the holiday weekends, or a place for the in-laws. We check what the town allows before we draw, then design a building that belongs with the house.
What's included
Zoning and setback check
Drawings and permits
Foundation, frame and roof
Water, power, heat and septic or sewer connection
Interior finish
Siding and trim to match the main house
Cost
What changes the cost
No figure here: the house sets the number, and the estimate shows where it came from.
What the town allows
Rules on size, height and setbacks for a second building differ by town.
Utilities
Water, power, heat and wastewater all have to reach it, and the distance matters.
Foundation
The lot sets whether it's a slab, piers or a frost wall.
Finish level
A bunkroom and a full guest suite are different buildings.
How it goes
A guest house, in order
- 01June to September
Step 1: Zoning check and design
We read the rules for your lot before we draw.
- 02August to November
Step 2: Permits and utilities
Applications go in and we plan the connections.
- 03October to January
Step 3: Foundation and shell
Footings, framing and roof.
- 04January to April
Step 4: Finish
Mechanicals, interiors and trim.
Questions
About a second building
Can I build one on my lot?
It depends on the town, the lot size and the setbacks. We check before we draw, and we tell you plainly if it can't be done.
Can I rent it out?
Rental rules differ by town and are yours to confirm with the town. We build to the code that applies.
Does it need its own septic or sewer connection?
Often it does, and that is part of the estimate.
Build windows
Ask for a build window
Tell us about the house and when you're there, and we'll say which window it fits.