Welcome! Our cottage house plans are Oregon's finest, offering some of the most stunning in Victorian-inspired design with a streamlined building process that enables even novices to create something remarkable. What makes these backyard cottages so great? Are they the right option for you? Let's jump right into the details.

When we're talking about backyard cottages, we're talking about add-ons to an existing property that enhances its utility. Unlike a traditional home renovation (wherein you have to hire an architect, tear down parts of your property, and integrate an addition has to seamless blend with the existing structure) a backyard cottage is more of an accessory structure that is separate from your main building.

This designation necessitates certain limits in most building codes, particularly in regards to size and height, but they are still plenty useful. You could craft a guest room, an extra bedroom, or even an entertainment center (whatever your imagination fancies, within reason). Our cottages are equipped with spacious living areas, along with sections for baths, bars, or storage as well. There's also a financial incentive for going with an accessory structure. You'll be paying less in materials and permitting costs. You're building on your own land, so you don't need to buy a new lot. You won't have to pay for any utility hook expenses, and you get the benefit of a structure that is energy efficient and environmentally sensitive. As you can see, we've designed them with budget conscious do-it-yourselfers in mind, so once you decided upon a design plan that you like, you can start getting the ball rolling.

The first step is sorting out the legalities. Even for accessory structures, there are rules about what you can and can't do. We always recommend checking with your local building department to find out about what is permissible. To make things easier for you, we've developed what is known as a Site Assessment Questionnaire, which will assist with determining if you can build a new structure in your backyard. The questionnaire includes a series of instructions and questions that you should follow closely. By the end, if the answer to the question "can you build" is yes, then it's time to get moving on the next step in the process, acquiring your plans and assorted documentation.

This is a simple matter. After you complete an order with us, we will email you what you need in PDF format. You can print off your blueprints, which we have engineered to comply with most national building codes and standards (if you need something customized to meet a particular standard that is not covered, we can do that for you for a small additional fee). We can also supply you with material listings and purchase orders to help you track down what you need to get started with construction. Our lists include cost estimates, specific vendors to order from, product specifications, schedules, and order forms to simplify material acquisition. This is all designed to help keep the costs of your project low, prevent you from ordering things that you don't need, or going through the "run around" of trying to track down vendors on your own. With your plans and materials in hand, you now have a decision. Will you build yourself, or will you hire some help to erect your new backyard cottage?

The DIY method has some distinct advantages. You needn't negotiate with contractors over labor and scheduling. You can work at your own pace and save money. There's also the sense of satisfaction that comes with completing a project on your own. For many, this makes tackling a building job solo well worth it. There are skills that you'll need to get the job done right, however. Construction is a series of separate tasks that each require an investment of time to perfect. Most aren't overly-complicated, but you have to be willing to put in the effort to do them right. For a novice, this could prove challenging. In the end, you might decide that it's worth it to enlist some professional expertise.

If you do decide to use contracted labor, our plans and documents will still come in handy. You'll be able to get what are known as "labor only" estimates from potential providers, getting a much clearer cost than the often marked-up estimates that many contractors provide to cover materials. You'll be able to pick the cream of the crop based on fair cost comparisons, saving you money in the long run.

If you should have any questions about the purchase or construction process, need tips on finding the right builder, or have any other concerns, we encourage you to reach out. You can contact us via phone or email. If you're looking for a structure that is more "fully independent," we suggest you check out our tiny homes. These are more feature-packed and can be used as rentals or primary houses on their own plots. Just bear in mind there is a more involved permitting process associated with tiny house construction. Good luck!