Luxury Cottages
For The Perfect
Family Getaway
Custom & Luxury Cottages in Durham
Are you ready to bring your family’s vision for a
cottage in Durham to life with a
builder you can trust?
At Gilbert + Burke, our expert team designs and builds your dream custom cottage
that perfectly fits your family’s goals and helps build your family’s legacy.
For over 20 years, we have created stunning, unique cottages throughout Durham
and greater Ontario, helping each one of our clients experience a truly exceptional lifestyle space for
their family.
Your Dream Cottage In Durham Doesn’t Need To Be Complicated
We know that building anything can be stressful. That’s why our design process is set up to be as stress-free as possible.
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Design Questionnaire
Tell us your vision for your new cottage.
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Preliminary Concept Design
We provide a 3D image and floor plan so that you can see your vision coming to life.
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Project Development
The design and plans are finalized and permitting begins
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Construction Agreement
A groundbreaking date is set and we begin building!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
My family and I are very pleased with the completed project on my house! It looks great! Just what it needed!
What a great team at Gilbert + Burke! They took our vision and transformed it into reality. We love our new space.
The entire Gilbert + Burke team was a pleasure to work with. They were experienced, competent, and exceptionally organized.
Working with Gilbert + Burke was a pleasure. Their workmanship and thoughtfulness throughout the project was amazing.
The Complete Guide to Building Your Custom Cottage
Industry-leading advice to help you design and create the perfect finishing touch to your cottage.
get Your e-bookYour Custom Cottage Builder In Durham, Canada
Whether it’s a rustic design with natural elements or a more contemporary look with clean lines and large windows, our team is here to help you achieve the cottage you envisioned.
We are committed to open communication, quality craftsmanship, unmatched customer service, and eco-friendly design.
From conception to completion, our seasoned team of designers and homebuilders will be with you every step of the way.
Do you want a place that is just as much home for your family, but also somewhere fun and exciting to escape from all of the stress in life?
Gilbert + Burke has been working with families in Durham for twenty years. They are the creators of beautiful homes and cottages that provide relaxation space where memories can be made together!
We know finding a trustworthy contractor is essential to having your job done right. That’s why we offer only the best of everything from our expert teams across each province in order to make sure you get what’s needed on time and within budget!
When you’re looking for a custom luxury cottage, it’s important to us that we communicate with you and provide transparency throughout the process. Our team of experts will work closely together with you so your project can be just as you always dreamed!
As a builder near Durham, we can’t wait to help your dream cottage come to life.
Durham is a town (population 2,500 and growing) in southwestern Ontario – a two-hour drive northwest of Toronto. This picturesque town delivers amenities with country charm.
There are many fun and historical activities and attractions in Durham, Ontario.
- McGowan Falls
- Durham Conservation Area
- Durham Art Gallery
- Holstein Dam
- Veterans Memorial Park
- The Bookstore
- Knox United, Durham
- Full Throttle Motor Speedway
- URDD Designated Driving Service
- Durham Airport Taxi Service
Durham, Ontario is 44 kilometres South of Owen Sound and 89 kilometres North of Guelph on Ontario Highway 6. The middle of the town is the intersection of Highway 6 and Grey Road 4. Durham is approximately 18 kilometres east of Hanover.
The population of Durham has stayed steady at roughly 2500 people over the past decade. This compares to neighbour Hanover which has grown from 6,400 to 8,200 people in the past decade.
Durham is built around the Saugeen River and has three human-made dams. These dams have suffered at least two major floods, once in 1929 when the dam broke and again in 1997 due to ice blockage. Durham also used to be the centre of the livestock exchange for the surrounding Grey and Bruce counties; it lies close to the county border. On the outskirts of Durham, there are several small communities, such as Varney, Dornoch, Aberdeen, Allan Park, Priceville and Holstein.
The town’s website says this about doing business in Durham,
The town of Durham is a part of the Municipality of West Grey, a progressive political entity created in 2000 to better connect with its regional partner, Grey County.
While other parts of rural Ontario might be considered one-generational, Durham bridges the generational divide, attracting newcomers of all ages from young families to retirees and seniors.
The current business climate is built on a tradition of hospitality, working together and looking to a sustainable future. If you’re looking to start a business in Durham or the surrounding area, we have an active BIA, knowledgeable real estate agents, and established business and services to help get you started.
We service all postal codes for Durham including N0G 0B6, N0G 1R0.
Surprising specialty shops and essential businesses line Durham’s thriving downtown, a short walk away from the Saugeen River, parks, walkways, and the local art gallery. Explore the town’s business directory to plan your next outing. Though small, Durham’s got something for everyone and a great place to call home.
Contact us today to design a beautiful getaway cottage that will be the anchor of all your family summer adventures.
Custom Cottage FAQ’s
The majority of our projects are between 1500-3000 sqft of interior living space, not including a basement (which not all builds have). But we will build your dream cottage of any size, including some up to 10,000 square feet!
No, unless you build a smaller custom cottage. Because a cottage takes the traditional things a home does (foundation, walls, plumbing, design, etc), the average cottage costs the same as a home.
We don’t have a “starting” price because every project depends on the custom features you want to include, other factors include complexity and scope of the project.Contact us here to get your quote and pricing started!
Yes, as long as it is insulated well enough to withstand the winter and has adequate heat to live in and keep all water lines from freezing.
Our builds are 100% customized to what our clients ask us and willing to pay for. We want your cottage to be your perfect home away from home, so we will do everything we can to bring the full customization experience alive.
We build custom cottages throughout Ontario and the greater Toronto region. Please visit our Locations Page or Contact Us to see if we serve your area!
Locations we serve include: