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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Luxury Cottages
For The Perfect
Family Getaway

Custom & Luxury Cottages in Muskoka

Are you ready to bring your family’s vision for a
cottage in Muskoka 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 Muskoka
and greater Ontario, helping each one of our clients experience a truly exceptional lifestyle space for
their family.

kitchen
Create memories with family and friends
Have space to rest and relax
Enjoy an escape with nature
Disconnect from the daily grind
Add to your family’s legacy

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

what makes different

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 Cottage

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

get Your e-book

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Section 1: Planning to Build
Section 2: Finding the Right Builder
Section 3: Developing a Budget
Section 4: Choosing Your Site
Section 5: Designing Your Home
Section 6: Getting the Required Permits
Section 7: Starting to Build

Download our Ultimate Guide to Designing Your Home & Cottage today.

All you need to know about embarking on the adventure to design and build your own home or cottage.

The journey of designing and building a custom home or cottage is a long one—but it’s so worth it. Whether you’re building a retirement oasis or creating a home for your expanding family, there are few things as important as finding the right builder, creating your plans with intention and covering all of your bases well. We’re experts when it comes to designing luxury homes and cottages, so we gathered all of our expertise and actionable tips in our new handbook—The Ultimate Guide to Designing Your Home & Cottage.

Download our Ultimate Guide to Designing Your Home & Cottage Ebook today!

Your Custom Cottage Builder In Muskoka, Ontario

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.

Are you struggling to find a builder you can trust with your plans for a luxury home or cottage? 

At Gilbert + Burke, we’ve worked with families in Ontario for twenty years to create beautiful, environmentally responsible homes and cottages where they can relax and make memories together. 

From design to construction, Gilbert + Burke is committed to exceptional communication and transparency at every project stage. 

Our experienced experts will work with you, so your custom luxury cottage or home is completed beautifully. 

As a builder in Muskoka, we look forward to helping you create the home of your dreams! 

Only 80 miles north of Toronto, Muskoka’s glistening lakes, awe-inspiring waterfalls with sharp granite cliffs, and sensational pine and maple forests draw in tourists and new residents from near and far. 

Publications like National Geographic and Reader’s Digest have consistently named it one of Canada’s top destinations for its charming and quaint environs. Making your home in Muskoka will set you up for a life of dreamy sunsets over the glistening water, picturesque nature walks, friendly community gatherings, and endless adventure.

With great lakes and forests, outdoor adventures are nearly limitless in Muskoka. Whether your hobby is swimming, fishing, boating, water trampolines, or enjoying the sandy beaches, Muskoka awaits plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun in the sun and water and memories to last a lifetime.

If you’ve been to Muskoka, ON, then you already are familiar with the natural beauty and attractions here: 

  • Sugar Brush Hill Maple Farm
  • Arrowhead Provincial Park
  • Santa’s Village
  • Muskoka Steamships
  • McCrae Lake Conservation Trail
  • Lion’s Lookout
  • Sawdust City Brewing
  • Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery
  • Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve
  • Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh & Muskoka Lakes Winery
  • Hardy Lake Provincial Park
  • Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Preserve
  • Muskoka Heritage Place
  • Brookland’s Farm
  • High Falls
  • And much more!

The District Municipality of Muskoka contains three big lakes: Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph.

Muskoka has a population of 66,674 and covers 3,937.76 square kilometres of land. 

We service all neighbourhoods and towns in Muskoka, including Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

We service all area and postal codes in Muskoka, including L0K, P1L, P1H, P1P, P0B, P0C, and P0E. 

Dozens of hiking trails wind through the rich mosaics of forestry for those who appreciate time among nature. A budding craft brewery scene makes for a well-spent afternoon, and entertainment abounds with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and The Kee to Bala. 

From art to music, creativity is everywhere in Muskoka. 

From hiking to craft breweries to arts festivals, the well-rounded activities and findings that Muskoka offers residents and visitors are endless, making for an appealing and always-inspiring backdrop for your new home.

You can start on your dream cottage today! Simply contact us, and we’ll work with you on every step to create a unique and beautiful custom luxury cottage for your family!

Menkes living space 038

Custom Cottage FAQ’s

What is meant by a “Custom Luxury Cottage”?

A custom cottage is very similar to a custom home – both refer to having a beautiful custom place for you and your family. Each has it’s own unique qualities, but the main difference is a home is the primary residence, and a cottage is your vacation property.

How big is the typical Custom Cottage?

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!

What are some typical features of a custom cottage?

“Typical” features are the usual bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen… but they can be fairly luxurious or high end. Some more unique features would be a wine fridge or wine cellar, waterfall bathroom fixtures, theatre room, sauna, etc. And if you are on the lake, don’t forget to include a custom boathouse or other water features!

Can a custom cottage be used as primary housing in Muskoka?

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.

How much can I customize a cottage with Gilbert + Burke?

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.

What other areas do you serve?

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:

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