Perhaps you have the luxury of owning a cottage. What a wonderful place to relax and unwind, with picturesque lake Huron peeking through the windows. But let’s face it; repairing that drooping ceiling monthly is not really tranquil. The reality is, that cottage needs a lot of work. Here in Bruce County there are many run down cottages sitting on priceless lots with record-breaking views.

Weighing the Cost Vs Benefit

Tearing down that old cottage can be a complicated decision to make. Depending on how long you’ve had the cottage, it may hold sentimental value, with lots of family memories made there. Often, certain key items can be salvaged and incorporated into your new design, giving your new place a few touchstones of familiarity. Maybe re-using an old door or two, or some of the fieldstone from the old fireplace.

There is a cost to demolition, but municipalities often waive development charges when a new building is replacing an old one that has been torn down, so this can more than offset the costs. And of course a new cottage on a desirable lot can greatly increase the value of the property.

Building From Scratch

Here at Alair Homes Grey-Bruce we have had the opportunity of doing this for a few clients – tearing down and building new. Our clients have been exceptionally happy to have that cottage that really suits them and their family, with all the efficiency and value of a new build.

Building close to the water can bring it’s own set of challenges. Where the old cottage was perched a few metres from the lake, a new one may have to conform to setbacks provided by the local Conservation Authority or municipality. Height restrictions may also come into play. In recent years, we have seen some new builds on waterfront leased land in Saugeen. With annual lease payments being close to tax rates on similar property, this can be an attractive option.

Another challenge of the waterfront location can be the high winds! Access to warm summer breezes off the lake, can mean facing snow squalls in the winter. In exposed locations we have often upgraded exterior wall insulation to a Urethane Spray Foam with an insulation value of at least R24. This spray foam insulation does an even better job of sealing walls that are facing the most wind.

Flattening your cottage and rebuilding it may be the right thing for you. Rebuilding gives you the freedom to make your cottage the one you always wanted. It’s good to start planning early so that your cottage can be enjoyed today and for generations to come.