Building Off the Grid in Muskoka: An Experienced Cottage Builder's Insight

In recent years, more and more people have been turning toward more sustainable and environmentally conscious off-grid modern cabin living. According to recent data, the off-grid housing market is set to double within the next ten years, so it is safe to say that there is an increase in interest in off-grid construction. 

Building a cottage in Muskoka that is wholly off the grid may not be advisable given the extremely cold winters of the region and it is recommended that you maintain some traditional energy hookups, even if you don't need to use them year-round. This doesn't mean you cannot incorporate elements of off-grid living into your remote cottage.   

In this blog, Ballantyne Builds, an experienced custom home builder in Muskoka, shares insights  into building an off-grid cottage that isn't wholly off-grid but feels off-grid. We've also detailed the essential off-grid features to consider implementing and the costs involved with building a remote cabin that is mostly off-grid. 

What Are The Benefits Of Building Off the Grid In Muskoka?  

• You're helping the environment: Building an off-grid cabin allows you to do your part in helping the environment. Off-grid cottages often utilize renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and minimizing their carbon footprint. This means that you'll be living sustainably in a home that has been specifically designed to provide environmentally friendly Muskoka off-grid living.
• You get to live a simpler life: Although it might not be to everyone's liking, building off the grid in Muskoka will let you enjoy living a simpler life. Luxury off-the-grid cottage living forces you live more simply, and you'll benefit from a lower cost of living so you'll save money while you live out your dream. 
• You can connect with nature: When you choose to build an off-the-grid cottage, you'll get to choose off-grid home designs that allow your home to integrate seamlessly with nature. Off-grid architecture works with nature to create more sustainable living. 

Ultimately, if you choose to build an off-grid cottage in Muskoka, you'll own a home that is environmentally friendly and sustainable, which allows you to connect with nature and enjoy modern comforts. 

Essentials You Need To Consider When Building An Off-Grid Muskoka Cottage

If you've decided to build an off-the-grid cottage—even if it's not entirely off the grid—you must consider a few essential elements. 

Hire The Right Company

Off-the-grid cottage building is not something you should entrust to just any company. There are a lot of factors to consider, and these can be easily missed if a company has limited experience in sustainable off-the-grid cottage building in Muskoka. 

That's why hiring a cottage builder with experience in off-the-grid building is crucial. You also need to ensure you hire an architect who is experienced in creating designs that are energy efficient.  For example, the architect must know how to incorporate passive solar energy and create a cottage design that allows for good summer airflow and is easy to heat in the winter. Your builder should also know how to position your cottage to take advantage of the sun.  

Think About Installing Energy Efficient Features

When building an off-grid cottage in Muskoka, there could be limits on how much energy you have available to run appliances, for example, and how much water you can use. Therefore, you must install energy-efficient features.

To determine what energy-efficient features and appliances you need to install in your off-the-grid cottage, evaluate your lifestyle and how you want to use your cottage. If you want to use your cottage year-round, you'll need everything from energy-efficient lighting and smart bathroom features that control things like the temperature of the water and how much water flows through your faucets to energy-efficient kitchen appliances that use less electricity. 

You can also look into smart energy-saving heating and cooling appliances and consider installing nonelectric features to reduce the burden on your energy sources. For example, installing a drying rack and retractable clotheslines in your laundry room can limit the use of your dryer and save on the electricity you're likely getting from your solar panels. 

This can be particularly helpful in the colder seasons when you will not generate as much electricity. For this reason, maintaining traditional energy hookups is recommended to ensure you have energy to keep you warm through the long cold winters where you may run out of stored energy. 

Don't Forget About Energy Storage

The energy you can generate is incredibly important when choosing to live off the grid in a custom-built Muskoka cottage. That's why you must ensure that none of it goes to waste. This means you need to look into efficient ways to store your energy. 

Those who choose solar power—which is becoming increasingly popular in off-grid builds—usually have to purchase batteries to store the power. Different types of batteries are available, but it's usually best to splurge on lithium-ion batteries, which are known to have a shelf life of longer than ten years. 

These batteries will easily store solar-generated power and distribute this power to the areas of your cottage that need it. This is another reason why maintaining traditional hookups to amenities is still recommended, because although you might not use them year-round, they will come in handy when your battery stores run low. 

What Tools and Expertise Does a Builder Need for Constructing Off Grid?

We understand it can be challenging to weed out the qualified from the unqualified when it comes to building off-grid. That's why we've shared what tools and expertise a builder constructing off-grid should be able to provide:

1. They should be able to navigate logistical challenges: Several logistical challenges can pop up when it comes time to building off the grid. For example, everything that needs to be built will need generators, so you'll need a company that knows how to build a cottage when there is no power available at any time during construction.
2. They should be able to position the home correctly: Positioning an off-the-grid cottage correctly is important since off-the-grid cottages rely on alternative energy sources like solar power. Your building team must know how to position the home's design to get the most sun.
3. They must provide tips throughout the build: Off-the-grid cottages come with unique challenges and a lot of thought needs to be put into your construction and design elements. Your builder should provide you with build tips for every selection and decision you make. 
4. They must know how to install high-end systems: You need a company that understands how to install high-end off-the-grid systems that save on energy consumption. This includes installing solar power and battery storage and gravity-fed septic tank systems requiring less energy to function.

How Much Does It Cost To Build Off The Grid In Muskoka? 

So, how much will it cost to build a cottage that is mostly off-grid in Muskoka? The cost of building an off-grid cottage in Muskoka varies depending on several factors. For example, project size, land location, materials, and labour costs can influence costs. 

Off-the-grid living is not cheap. Setting up sustainable features like solar power, battery storage, heat pumps, and geothermal heating will cost a fair amount and significantly increase the cost of a cottage's construction. If alternative energy is important to you, you need to budget appropriately and be prepared to spend more up front than you would with traditional living elements. 

It's best to speak with a builder before deciding to build an off-grid cottage, as they can help you gain a realistic understanding of the costs associated with your build. 

Speak With Ballantyne Builds About Your Off-The-Grid Cottage Project 

An off-the-grid project deserves to be handled by industry experts. We have built off-the-grid before and know some of the important questions to ask when a client is wondering if it's right for them. Whether you want to build fully off-grid, or simply want to incorporate some sustainable materials and features into your cottage, contact us here today to help you with your new build.