It’s Cabana Season!

Designing Cabanas- Why are we different?

When we are designing cabanas we put our soul into it! Builders for more than 30 years, we do take pride in building things well, and designing cabanas to last as well. 

  Where do you find a builder that knows how to build it well?  With so many fly-by-night companies starting up over the last few years, finding good guys is hard. We can give you hundreds of references and even take you to sites to see the work in person. 

We’ve been doing it for decades– Our Designs are attractive and functional. When we build, it’s a permanent thing. They are as well-built as most homes. Our cabanas often have bars, kitchens, fireplaces, and many uncommon features. 

Stone, wood, PVC, Steel or even concrete can be worked into our designs. 

Do you have your own designs already?

If you have construction drawings we are happy to quote building it.

We have capable crews all over Southern and Central Ontario. Mississauga, Toronto, Barrie, Muskoka and Collingwood.

In order to give an accurate quote we will need photos of the site, a copy of the plans that you are submitting for permits and a quick chat on the phone. 

 

Can’t we just build your cabana from a photograph?

We likely could–but, it wouldn’t be efficient and it will likely take longer. If the building department catches us you will have to cover any fines we get and you will have to pay double to get the permit, after paying to have the plans done anyway. 

We’ve been at this a while, and in hindsight, it was never worth not planning a project properly. 

If you just have a photo you like, you may be better served with a design consultation.  We’ll come out and make sure it fits, and, customize it to fit your wish list exactly. We can even create photorealistic images that show how it looks behind your home as well. 

The Value of Renderings

In the early days designing these cabanas it was all done on paper, sometimes even a napkin. 

Even people that are really good at envisioning things would not be able to catch every nuance. This means changes, and changes cost time and money. 

Being able to model in 3d with all the details shown is worth the investment. Design fees will always be a fraction of what the changes being made during the project. 

Many other contractors come to us to take them through the planning phases to get the design right. Homeowners that do their research also approach us often. 

You may find this funny, but, in certain areas within the GTA we get people approaching us to do permit drawings for Cabanas that they had already built!  “Build it and ask for forgiveness later”. 

I am not quite sure why this happens, but it may have something to do with bylaws and how they are written. 

Cabana Lighting Design

Cabana lighting design is something that should be planned early on.  It should work with the landscape and pool lighting as well. Temperature (Cool or Warm), should be consistent all the way through the project. Choosing a stone with a warm tone can warm up a cool light… as you see in the photo above. 

Landscape lighting should be subtle and create an ambiance, as well as safety so people are not tripping off the walkways. 

Much like a home, lighting in a cabana should be adjustable (dimmable) and give a variance of well lit to mood lighting. 

This cabana, with the lighting, variance of finish materials and so many details to show off really is magical. 

We work all over the GTA with crews located in Mississauga and Caledon, as well as the Barrie area which services all of Muskoka.