office locations

Lindsay Office
17 William Street N.
Lindsay, ON K9V 3Z9

Huntsville Office
1 Crescent Road, Box 14,
Huntsville, ON P1H 1Z6

Connect

Local:
705.328.9431

Toll Free:
1.866.846.9254

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Take Your Lake
Property To The
Next Level

Custom Boathouses in Ontario

Are you ready to bring your family’s vision for a
custom boathouse to life with a
builder you can trust?

At Gilbert + Burke, our expert team designs and builds your dream boathouse
that perfectly fits your family’s goals and helps build your family’s legacy.

For over 20 years, we have created stunning, unique boathouses throughout
Ontario, helping each one of our clients experience a truly exceptional
lifestyle space for their family.

What Makes Gilbert + Burke Different?

We believe everyone building a custom luxury cottage or home deserves a builder whose process and experience delivers the exact design your family wants and helps build your family’s legacy.

That’s why we make sure every client experiences…

  • Exceptional communication
  • Expert interior & exterior design
  • Transparency in every step
  • 20+ years of custom building expertise

And all backed with the Gilbert + Burke brand and reputation

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Perfect your lakeside entertaining
Have plenty of boat storage
Extend your living & hosting space
Add the finishing touch to your lake property

We contracted the services of Gilbert & Burke Design and Build to renovate our existing cottage and then add on a major addition. The quality of the work was exceptional. Close attention was paid to details and they were proactive in identifying design options that saved time and money. G + B has a very creative, well seasoned and experienced team and provided all round great customer service. They were always responsive to our questions and very proactive in solving all construction issues.  We are extremely pleased with the end result.

B.W. and S.W.
Tiny, ON

We have been working with Gilbert + Burke over the last 3 years on the design and construction of our new home on Lake Simcoe. I think one of the most remarkable things is that as the project draws to a close, we will be sorry to say goodbye to the Team. We have very much enjoyed working with this team, even when the inevitable bumps in the road happened. We have never doubted that they had our best interest at heart, and knew they were working to give us the very best home they could within the budget. We love our new home and we have lots of good memories of working through the project. Thank you Gilbert + Burke for making our family dream a reality.

N.V.
Lake Simcoe

Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of working alongside Gilbert + Burke on various projects. Gilbert + Burke's team is truly professional from the bid stage, down to the final completion. Questions are answered promptly, coordination between trades is spot on , communication through out the project is excellent, and the staff is always very friendly and happy to help however they may be needed.

S.B.
Loretto, ON

The Gilbert + Burke is a team of truly talented individuals committed to the project for close to a full year. We encountered crumbling lathe and plaster, a bat colony in the attic and a tow-foot-high crawl space under the house. With each setback, Gilbert + Burke dug in their heels and found often ingenious solutions that spoke to their decades of experience and depth of character. The challenges were many but we really felt that Gilbert + Burke were as truly invested in our project as we were.

M.R.
Baltimore, ON

Gilbert and Burke completed our cottage on Peninsula Lake in Huntsville in 2019. Their team lead by Brian Gilbert was outstanding. From permits to finishing touches, we were guided throughout the process. Our site super intendant took every detail of the cottage personally and was as proud of the results as we were. Their design team took great care to ensure that the cottage match our personalities and goals. Nothing was ever “cookie cutter”. Everything was designed to our thoughts and dreams. The team was flexible and communicated very effectively throughout the build. We do not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking to build, renovate or fix.

B.J. and D.J.
Peninsula Lake

Having worked with Gilbert + Burke in the past, we knew that there was nobody else that we trusted in completing our dream. On this project, we tasked them with a tight deadline for completion and even with some setbacks in permits, they were able to deliver. Everybody that was associated with this project was so professional and committed to the end goal. The final result was more than a kitchen or a place to retire, but a warm and inviting place for friends and family to gather for many years to come.

A.W. and S.W.
Sturgeon Lake, ON

Gilbert + Burke have a professional approach through the entire project process from the first client meeting, to the preparation of a project budget, to establishing a build time-frame, and most importantly their commitment to organization and client communication, made all aspects of the build and enjoyable and rewarding experience. From the start through construction completion, delivery and deficiency resolution, Gilbert + Burke have proven that they are the ones who deliver your dream on time and on budget.

D.G.
Balsam Lake

We really appreciated the prompt, friendly service. Brian Gilbert is an excellent representative and his integrity to get the job done at the cost and time projected is of great value. It was a pleasure doing business with Gilbert + Burke and I would highly recommend them to others.

M.L.M.
Midhurst, ON

I have built three houses in the past and have worked with many contractors and sub contractors and this was the first time ever that I had one show up on time, do quality work, and within estimate. 3 out of 3, in my opinion.

D.M.

Wonderful to work with. It was a pleasure to have them in our home and we are very pleased with the results. Looking forward to working with Gilbert + Burke in the future

N.A.

My family and I are very pleased with the completed project on my house! It looks great! Just what it needed!

B.M.
Bobcaygeon, ON

What a great team at Gilbert + Burke! They took our vision and transformed it into reality. We love our new space.

J.D.
Haliburton, ON

The entire Gilbert + Burke team was a pleasure to work with. They were experienced, competent, and exceptionally organized.

P.J.
Etobicoke

Working with Gilbert + Burke was a pleasure. Their workmanship and thoughtfulness throughout the project was amazing.

Y.K.
Cannington, ON
guide

The Complete Guide to Building Your Custom Boathouse

Industry-leading advice to help you design and create the perfect finishing touch to your homer cottage.

View Now

Here’s What You’ll find Inside:

Section 1: Goal setting and alignment
Section 2: Location, location, location
Section 3: Budget matters
Section 4: One-of-a-kind style
Section 5: Sourcing the right materials

Fill out the form to get your ebook now.

Complete Guide to Building your Custom Boathouse

You already have your ideal cottage that’s become a home away from home. To complete your picturesque getaway, the final piece is building the boathouse of your dreams. Whether you envision an expansive rooftop deck, plenty of storage for boats and any other water toys or space to host loved ones, there are a few key steps in designing a boathouse successfully. Our new ebook will walk you through all the details you need to know about goal setting, partnering with a design-build team and executing your plans to perfection.

Boathouses can be a fun way to customize your space and enjoy the outdoors. These structures are an extension of your cottage, in a way, and there are endless opportunities for design and storage options. Our team at Gilbert + Burke has been offering design-build insight and excellence for custom homes and boathouses to our clients in the Muskokas, Kawartha Lakes and GTA for years. We are honored to share our deep-rooted expertise with you as you embark on the planning and designing process for your new boathouse.

Download our Complete Guide to Building your Custom Boathouse

Your Custom Boathouse Builder In Ontario

Are you ready for a new boathouse to love?

You already have a cottage that you spend weekends and vacations at, and it’s a home away from home in every sense.

Now, it’s time to design and build a custom boathouse to add an elegant finishing touch to your favourite cottage getaway.

Starting the journey to design and build a custom boathouse is a great way to involve your imagination, your taste and your favourite pieces of your cottage into one cohesive space.

By adding a boathouse to your cottage, you’ll be able to create everything from your dream storage space and outdoor oasis to a gathering place for the people you love and a customized place to help you enjoy the water on your own terms.

When building a boathouse in Muskoka, Kawartha Lakes, Simcoe, Parry Sound or Southern Georgian Bay, there are things to consider.

Whether you’re looking for a purely functional space or you’re searching for an outdoor extension of your cottage, Gilbert + Burke is the ultimate choice to help you embody luxury, joy and functionality in a beautiful and cohesive way.

From the early planning stages to the placing of the last shingle, our team will be there with you every step of the journey. At Gilbert + Burke, every project is important to us.

With G+B at the helm, your boathouse will be everything you wished for it to be.

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Custom Boathouse FAQ’s

What is meant by a “custom boathouse”?

A space uniquely designed to fit the landscape, lake and needs of the client. Boathouses can be built inland as a place for storage, or on the water for water access.

Are there any Ontario towns or cities that don’t allow boathouses?

When planning to build a boathouse, it is important to check with local municipalities/bylaws on what is and is not allowed. Some areas allow up to a certain size, others do not allow any at all.

Is there a certain lake depth or water requirement for a boathouse to work?

When considering building a boathouse, you need to consider the seasonal water levels, whether you will be storing a boat in the boathouse, kind of watercraft, the draft of the boat. These are all main considerations to know whether a boathouse is plausible. These are all things we take into consideration when planning your boathouse. Confirming local bylaws is part of our planning process, and will determine whether the waterfront is feasible for a boathouse.

Do you need a permit to build a boathouse?

A permit is required for building a boathouse – the bottom of the lake or body of water is considered Crown Land and is not owned by the homeowner, for this reason you must have a permit to occupy Crown Land.

Is it possible to use a boathouse year-round in Ontario’s climate; particularly if it contains a living space?

Accessibility and building specifications will dictate whether or not a boathouse can be used year-round. If it is built as a four season building, and is accessible, then the living space can be used year-round. Keeping in mind seasonal weather patterns for the area, and intended use will dictate this.

What is Gilbert + Burke’s process in quoting and designing a custom boathouse?

As a custom design/build firm our process is in collaboration with you to make sure that your vision for your new boathouse is captured. Once we have your vision in mind, we can identify your budget, develop concepts, create a project development plan and then begin construction. Contact us to get started!

How long does it take Gilbert + Burke to build a boathouse?

There are many factors that influence the length of a build. Weather, size of the structure, complexity of the build, lake levels, and finishes are all contributing factors to the length of time it takes to complete.

Ken Jaquith Director Of Client Experience
Have Questions? Ask Ken! learn more
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