Guest Houses

Smaller spaces for visitors, private retreats and hospitality settings.

Cabins, studios and retreats. Often simpler, sometimes seasonal, and frequently marketed with photography that makes you want to quit your job. The questions are the same: what is it built for, and what will your site require?

A dark green metal-clad guest cabin with a glazed gable end and deck, raised on concrete piers among pine trees in morning mist.

Before you fall in love

What matters most for guest houses

  1. 01Seasonal versus year-round use — insulation and plumbing differ.
  2. 02Short-term rental rules if you plan to host guests.
  3. 03Snow, wind and seismic loads for the actual location.
  4. 04Access for delivery in rural or mountain terrain.

On the desk: 3 homes

Concept listings shown for illustration.

Other kinds of homes

Start here

So… what are we building?

Eight quick questions. Tell us the dream, the land, the budget and what’s making you nervous. A human reads every one.

What are you looking to build? About 3 minutes · No payment, ever