Whether you are looking for a smaller home or you like the aesthetic of rustic, country-inspired houses, there are a number of reasons that you might be looking to build a prefab or modular Cottage. Luckily, our list of the best prefab and modular cottages can act as a guide in helping you determine what home options exist.

In addition to highlighting some of our favorite prefab and modular cottages, we answer questions about the price and cost of a cottage, the nuances between prefab and modular construction, and lay out how long your prefab cottage build might take. If you would like assistance building your own prefab cottage, speak with a member of our prefab concierge team.

Understanding Prefab and Modular Cottages

What is a prefab cottage? What is a modular cottage? And what’s the difference between the two?

A cottage-style house is characterized by characteristics such as small porches, gable roofs, and above all - compact floor plans that prioritize comfortable, functional living. Technically speaking, a prefab cottage refers to any cottage that is built using prefabricated construction techniques. This includes modular construction, kit home building, panelized home construction, and manufactured construction.

Modular cottages are a subset of prefab construction where box-like module(s) are built off-site, shipped, then set, and finished at the final build site. So, there is very little difference between the two as both will have the design elements of a cottage. The only outlier would be manufactured cottages which are built to a different building code than traditional, residential buildings. And while manufactured homes may be cheaper, they sometimes can not be financed like other site-built or prefab homes and their value appreciates differently over time.

How much does a prefab cottage home cost?

The cottages included in our list have turn-key costs ranging from $220,000 to $1,600,000. These estimates are based on the all-in costs to build each home, not including land. It is worth noting that there are both more affordable and higher-end, fully-custom prefab cottages beyond those that are included on our list, depending on your budget and preferences.

To determine what it will cost for your own prefab cottage, there are a number of factors to consider:

• Land

• Permitting fees

• Site preparation - site assessment, excavation, utilities, foundation

• Home cost - modules, panels, kit components from the builder

• Delivery - many prefab companies serve large areas of the U.S., if not the whole country. It is worth inquiring if they have regional manufacturing facilities or if they ship materials from their headquarters, in which case, long-distance shipping costs can add-up

• Installation/set - setting modules on a foundation & tying them together, or the assembly of the materials kit or panels

• Finishes - depending on the company and your project’s needs, some modular homes can be delivered in a highly-finished state (around 90% complete). This means homes can arrive on-site complete with flooring, cabinetry, electrical, and plumbing; this requires little on-site work for the home to be move-in ready. Kit homes and panelized homes require significantly more on-site work to assemble and finish, increasing the local cost section of your budget

How long does it take to build a prefab or modular cottage?

Like other styles of prefab and modular homes, a prefab cottage can often be built quicker than a site-built home. While the exact timeline of your project will be determined by the length of the design/engineering process, permitting approvals, off-site build times, and on-site assembly & finishing, it is our experience that a prefab cottage can be move-in ready anywhere between 9-16 months. If you are in a hurry, however, there are some companies (particularly for tiny homes and ADUs) that list build times as short as 3 - 4 months.

Prefab and Modular Cottages For Sale

The Cottage by Purcell Timber Frame Homes

The Cottage by Purcell Timber Frame Homes is a 1,550 square foot cottage that is built using a timber frame structural shell that is packaged, shipped, assembled, and finished on-site. With 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, The Cottage is a good option either as a starter home or for individuals looking to downsize to a smaller, yet comfortable home. Purcell Timber Frame Homes’ design has interesting features such as a traditional cottage exterior, two stories, lofted ceilings, and a master suite. 

Purcell Timber Frame Homes is based in Nelson, B.C., and can work with buyers throughout Canada and the United States. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building The Cottage, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $542,500, not including land. 

Sands Point by Yankee Barn Homes

The Sands Point by Yankee Barn Homes is a 4,000 square foot cottage that is built using a timber frame structure and an exterior shell made up of a panelized roof and wall system. With 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, the Sands Point is a large, two-story cottage with many unique design elements and the added advantage of being fully customizable. Yankee Barn Homes’ floor plan has interesting features such as a covered porch, large living & dining areas, a master suite with walk-in closets, and a fireplace. 

Yankee Barn Homes is based in Grantham, New Hampshire, and can work with buyers throughout the entire United States. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $1,600,000 to build the Sands Point cottage by Yankee Barn Homes, not including land.

1008 Cottage Dwelling by Kanga Room Systems

The 1008 Cottage Dwelling by Kanga Room Systems is a 1,008 square foot cottage that is built using a prefabricated materials kit. With 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the 1008 Cottage Dwelling is an affordable yet attractive option for a prefab cottage. Kanga Room Systems’s home has interesting features such as a covered front porch, an open living area, and optional upgrades for a screened porch and second-floor living loft. 

Kanga Room Systems is based in Waco, Texas, and can work with buyers throughout Central Texas with turn-key building services, all of Texas with structural shells, and most of the U.S. (except CA, NV, and FL) with materials kits. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building a 1008 Cottage Dwelling, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $220,000+ in Texas. Buyers outside of Texas can purchase the home kit, though, with added shipping costs and home finishing costs, you may face higher turn-key costs to build the 1008 Cottage Dwelling cottage by Kanga Room Systems, not including land.

Berkshire Cottages by Lindal Cedar Homes

The Berkshire Cottages by Lindal Cedar Homes is a 550 square foot cottage that is built using a prefabricated building materials kit. With 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, the Berkshire Cottages are a high-end solution for a smaller home or an ADU. Lindal Cedar Homes’s home has interesting features such as two modules - one a living/dining area, the other a bedroom/bathroom, each one with floor-to-ceiling windows and a connecting deck. 

Lindal Cedar Homes is based in Seattle, Washington, and can work with buyers throughout the entire United States. Although regional cost differences will affect the cost of building the Berkshire Cottages, we estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $301,862, not including land.

Blackstone by Champion Homes

The Blackstone by Champion Homes is a 2,121 square foot cottage that is built using modular construction. With 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the Blackstone is a two-story home with a small footprint which makes it a good fit for smaller lots. Champion Homes’s house has interesting features such as a traditional cottage exterior and lofted ceilings in the living area. 

Champion Homes is based in Troy, Michigan, and works with buyers throughout the entire U.S. though they operate via a network of regional sellers and builders. We estimate that buyers in mid to high-cost areas can expect to pay $530,250. Because Champion Homes operate via a network of regional dealers, there may be significant regional price differences to build the Blackstone cottage from Champion Homes.  

Comparing Prefab & Modular Cottages

Key Takeaways of Building a Prefab or Modular cottage Home

• Just like site-built cottages, prefab and modular cottages are characterized by: small porches, gable roofs, and above all - compact floor plans that prioritize comfortable, functional living

• As with most types of residential construction, the turn-key cost of your cottage will be heavily influenced by several factors: location & local labor cost, standard vs. custom, site work costs, and degree of finishes. That being said, buyers with mid to high-end costs can expect turn-key pricing from $400 - $600 per square foot, while low-end costs can range from $200 - $400 per square foot

• Similar to cost, the timeframe to build your cottage will be largely determined by factors like permitting time, standard vs. custom, and whether or not your selected company has a backlog of orders. While some modular homes can be built in as little as a few weeks, the entire process: from the time you put your deposit down until your cottage is move-in ready is often between 9 - 16 months

• There are a number of builders that sell prefab and modular cottage homes including Purcell Timber Frame Homes, Yankee Barn Homes, Kanga Room Systems, Lindal Cedar Homes, and Champion Homes

Additional Information for Building Prefab and Modular Homes in the United States

• Reviews of Prefab and Modular Home Builders in the United States

• Understand the Financing Process for Building a Prefab Home

• Find Prefab and Modular Companies That Build in Your City & State