What is Cottage in a Day?

Cottage in a Day (CiaD) is modern, modular, housing with a twist. It is not bolted together on an assembly line by many people, each adding one small piece to a bigger puzzle.

The pre-manufactured construction process incorporates smart design with proven materials implemented by the same craftsperson from start to finish in a climate controlled facility.

The modern design combines with a liberal use of natural wood products to make it a home in a variety of settings. CiaD is delivered to the site, assembled, finished, and ready to use in the same day.

How is Cottage in a Day modern and modular?

Cottage in a Day is modern because the design steps away from conventional concepts of how people live and relate in their space. Efficiency is selected over sprawl to minimize the footprint of the structure and get a variety of uses out of the same design features.

Cottage in a Day is modular because it is based on a simple 14' by 14' square that can be supplemented with additional modules to achieve a variety of floor plans and uses.

So is Cottage in a Day a mobile home?

No, Cottage in a Day is not a mobile home. A mobile home is defined as having a permanently attached chassis, axles, or wheels. Cottage in a Day is transported on trailers and then those trailers leave the site and return to the facility to be used for the next cottage. Also, Cottage in a Day is energy efficient, built to endure, and appreciates in value once it's set on your property, in contrast to the mobile homes of yesteryear.

Can a Cottage in a Day be site-built anywhere inside or outside Michigan to avoid transportation cost?

Yes, call us for a quote. We will travel to your state or country.

Where is Cottage in a Day available?

The Cottage in a Day facility is located in Traverse City, Michigan. Right now, our licensing covers Michigan for shipping, delivery, and inspections. The structure meets and exceeds most building codes, but would still need to pass a plan review in your state or local municipality if you live outside of Michigan. We would be happy to help with this process.

Cottage in a Day was designed and built to endure extremes of weather and environment which makes it ideal for many areas of the planet.

How do I know if a Cottage in a Day can go on my site?

Check your local zoning and building departments for rules and regulations in your area.

What types of permits are required for Cottage in a Day?

In most cases in Michigan, a land use permit from your local zoning department, a foundation permit from your building department, and electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for the utility hook ups.

Can we pull these permits and hire these contractors ourselves to save money?

Yes, although we offer this as an added service. We highly recommend that your contractors consult with us before working on your Cottage in a Day.

How do we know what site conditions are necessary?

Cottage in a Day arrives on long trailers pulled by large trucks. The driveway or approach must be able to accommodate delivery, and the site must be clear enough to allow a crane to swing and set each module. Cottage in a Day also staffs a full service contracting firm that can handle all site work, permitting, and planning, for additional fees.

Will Cottage in a Day make a site visit before purchase to make sure it can be done?

We will visit the site a number of times to determine issues related to setting a Cottage in a Day. These costs are included in the set-up category.

We also bore and set the foundation which requires an approved inspection prior to setting.

Why is it called Cottage in a Day?

Although the size and amount of modules dictate construction time off-site in our facility, we can set a finished 1414 unit, 1428, or L-shape in just one day, depending on site conditions.

Can it really be set in a day?

Depending on the amount of modules purchased, and your existing site conditions and access, a Cottage in a Day can be set on most sites in one day. Advanced preparations for difficult sites may be necessary, and the utilities will need to be connected for final inspections and certificates of occupancy, but your cottage will be weather tight and just require the hook ups when we leave it.

What are the uses for Cottage in a Day?

Although the current focus is residential living, Cottage in a Day makes the ideal artist studio, guest house, temporary classroom, gate house, disaster relief housing, portable clinic, deer camp, worker housing, etc. The design was conceived for adaptability to different uses and environments as part of its modular application, including off-the-grid possibilities. Cottage in a Day can be a primary, year round residence, or an accessory building for guests or hobbies.

Is Cottage in a Day really finished when it arrives?

Your Cottage in a Day has all the plumbing, wiring, appliances, floor and wall coverings, cabinets and tops, everything, installed and ready to use once hooked up to utilities. We set the body of the module, crane the lid and attach it in place, insulate and trim the connecting piece and it's ready.

From what materials is Cottage in a Day made?

The walls, floors, and roof, or outside shell of a CiaD, is made from structural insulated panels (SIP). The use of SIPs gives a Cottage in a Day its strength and superior energy efficiency. SIPs are manufactured by laminating Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plywood over an Expanded Polystyrene (EP) foam core.

This process is superior to framed construction by eliminating thermal breaks in a wall (energy efficiency), connecting every piece of the structure to every other piece through the use of glues and fasteners (strength), substantially decreasing air infiltration (lower utility bills), and eliminating internal wall cavities that can promote mold growth. Cottage in a Day is built to meet or exceed all building codes and combines low site impact during and after it is set.

The design focuses on low maintenance, long life, and beauty. This drives the selection of other material choices, such as a metal roof, cement plank siding, and an abundance of metal-clad windows for natural light and ventilation.

The appliances, windows, and fixtures are of the highest quality, as well as Energy Star qualified and conservation driven.

Is Cottage in a Day considered "green" construction?

Cottage in a Day dramatically exceeds the National Association of Homebuilders green standards.

Can Cottage in a Day be put on any home site regardless of conditions?

Cottage in a Day is designed for locations with a slope no greater than two feet from end-to-end or one foot from side-to-side within the perimeter of the cottage. However, CiaD can be adapted to almost any terrain, including environmentally sensitive areas at an additional cost and we welcome the challenge.

Does Cottage in a day have a deck?

Each 1414 Cottage in a Day module comes with a 140 square foot deck. A 1428 has 2 deck modules.

Where are the deck stairs located?

Every site is different so stairs are not included with the deck. We can build your stairs or ramp for an additional fee.

What about water, sewer, and electricity, for Cottage in a Day?

Cottage in a Day arrives with the utility ports ready to be connected to municipal or private forms of utilities. The owner is required to research, permit, and arrange these connections as dictated by their local utilities and municipal regulations.

How is Cottage in a Day heated and cooled?

Even the smallest Cottage in a Day module is equipped with and air-to-air heat exchanger, powered by electricity. This eliminates the need for natural gas or propane heat. The inside unit is connected to an outdoor condenser which has an inverter process that can provide heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. This unit also exchanges the interior air with fresh air from the outdoors while controlling humidity.

What is the plumbing like in a Cottage in a Day?

Cottage in a Day uses color-coded pex tubing for it's modular applications. Pex tubing is considered a green product and reduces the need for copper pipe and fittings, and weighs less. Plumbing fixtures are higher end, water conserving, and attractive, including the dual flush toilets. Water is heated electrically in the crawl space with a fast recovery.

Can Cottage in a Day be used to add on to my existing structure?

Yes, if your existing structure is already a Cottage in a Day. Modules can be added to increase square footage at any time in the future.

Cottage in a Day has been designed to be a freestanding structure. Any other application would require new engineering, drawings, permits, and processes and would no longer be a standard "Cottage in a Day."

Connecting a Cottage in a Day to an existing structure is possible for additional design and construction fees.

Can I customize my Cottage in a Day?

Yes. The cement plank siding can come in any Cabot stain color. The steel roof and exterior window cladding also have other options for color customization. The bamboo floors come in a variety of colors and grain patterns, and the color for the laminate tops can also be selected from our menu.

We offer a variety of added features that are listed in the view sheets.

What if I want different appliances, windows, cabinets for my Cottage in a Day?

The appointments that come with your Cottage in a Day have been specifically chosen for beauty, energy efficiency, conservation of space, noise levels, sustainability, product availability, etc. and have been included as part of the whole house system. This is what makes Cottage in a Day unique, a superior product, and a wise choice as an investment.

Substitutions that take place after delivery of your cottage, although out of our control, may void any and all warranties.

We can make endless substitutes on request.

What type of warranty do I get with my Cottage in a Day?

Cottage in a Day comes with a one year warranty on defects in material and workmanship. After one year, the Cottage in a Day staff are available to make diagnosis, repairs, or upgrades at market rates. In addition, the manufacturers of certain products used in your Cottage in a Day have their own separate warranties.

How long does it take to build a Cottage in a Day?

A Cottage in a Day can be ready for shipment to your site in 90-180 days, depending on how many modules it consists of.

How much does a Cottage in a Day cost to ship and set?

This depends on how many modules are ordered, and how far they have to travel from our facility. These costs fluctuate and are determined on an individual basis. Please consult our price list for base module costs.

What types of maintenance are required for my Cottage in a Day?

Most of the exterior finishing products have warranties that last decades, but some natural products have been used in the manufacturing process and require upkeep depending on exposure to the elements. An owner's manual details the care and maintenance of your Cottage in a Day.

Can we buy the necessary drawings and build our own Cottage in a Day?

Yes, full sets of drawings are for sale. All you need to add is your site plan.

Can Cottage in a Day be dedlivered as a shell and we complete our own finishes?

Yes, contact us for a quote.

How do I find out more about Cottage in a Day?

We welcome your inquiries by phone at (231) 946-7741 or info@cottageinaday.com

Why is now the time for Cottage in a Day?

In today's market, consumers are paying more and getting less—regardless of the product or service. The concept of Cottage in a Day was driven by the need to circumvent this downward spiral.

Cottage in a Day reduces impact on your site and the environment by manufacturing in a facility.

Costs are kept down by the efficient and unique use of materials, good planning and design, and the practical elimination of labor and construction waste.

Your Cottage in a Day begins paying you back in reduced energy and maintenance costs from day one.

Take your Cottage in a Day off the grid and realize greater freedom.

Products are selected that last, rather than planned obsolescence and continuous maintenance.

Cottage in a Day is not only a place to live or recreate. It incorporates a philosophy that improves the lives of its occupants, as well as the local and global environment through good design and sustainable use of materials. Cottage is a Day is a solution to a problem.

Do you sell those wooden chairs I see in the photos on the website?

Yes, and all kinds of other cool Cottage in a Day gear like t-shirts, sweatshirts, keychains, and cottage lifestyle products.