Casita Inquiry

Our Casitas redefine regenerative living. Built with locally sourced Vermont wood and straw, your Casita home is as resilient as it is contemporary in design. Personalize your interior with an optional natural clay and lime plaster finish, and embrace the healthy living environment created by sleek, non-toxic wood finishes.

We prioritize climate-friendly living and comfort, integrating advanced heating, cooling, ventilation, water, and power systems that are fossil-fuel free and all-electric. Off-grid options also available. Discover a new era of modern accessory dwelling units.

What To Expect

This questionnaire should take about 5-10 minutes to complete provided that you have all the information on-hand. We have included links embedded in the form to provide additional support and context to help you on your journey.

Having this information prior to scheduling a zoom call to discuss your project helps us determine where you are at in your journey to high performance, sustainable living so that our team can best serve you.

Once submitted, you will receive an auto-generated email with pricing and other information about our Casitas. Please check your spam folder if you don't see this email immediately after submitting your form. A member of our team will reach out to you within 2-3 business days to follow up on your inquiry and offer an estimate for shipping costs.

Have questions? Contact us here.

Contact Information

First name*

Last name*

Email*

Phone number

If you answered "Other" please describe:*

If you answered "Direct Referral" - who do we have to thank for the recommendation?

Understanding Your Casita

We currently offer five models of our high performance Casita Kits: The Cabañita (300 sq. ft), The Agua (400 sq. ft), The Terra (580 sq. ft), The Flora (900 sq. ft), and the Árbol (1200 sq. ft - soon to be released).

Whichever Casita you choose there are three options for project support that we offer:

+ Kit + GC Support (Within 1 hour of Essex or Montpelier, VT)

+ Kit + Panel Assembly Support (Within 1 hour of Essex or Montpelier, VT)

+ Kit Only (Ships anywhere)

Kit + General Contracting (GC) Support:

For those within New Frameworks' direct service area, you can choose our General Contracting Support (GC Support) for the turnkey model. This option, installed by our site team, delivers a fully finished, move-in ready Casita. It includes pre-selected finishes to streamline costs, ensuring a seamless process for creating these light-on-the-earth homes.

If you’d like more signature customization options, individual selection of interior elements is available for an additional cost. Turnkey Casitas in our service range typically take between 10-16 weeks to construct from start to finish.

Kit + Panel Assembly:

For customers within our direct service area (1 hour radius from Essex, VT or Montpelier, VT), we offer a base-level structure and enclosure kit that includes panel assembly. This service covers only the assembly of the straw structural insulated panels (S-SIPs). This means the basic structure and enclosure of the building will be completed, providing a weather-tight shell. If you prefer to handle the rest of the build yourself or hire a non-NFW construction team to complete the project, this option provides the foundation and essential structure you need to get started.

Kit Only:

For those outside of our direct service range, working with a non-NFW build team, or aiming to keep expenses down by doing it yourself, the base-level structure & enclosure kit with no in-person project support is also available. We provide a full plan set and specifications along with the delivered kit so a local builder can complete it to our specifications or be modified as desired. The cost of the simplistically climate-responsive Casita does not include site, foundation, and utility expenses, as requirements vary by site location. Kit-Only construction timelines vary from 4-16 days depending on the size of the Casita Kit purchased. With the Kit-Only option, our team is not needed for installation, allowing it to be shipped and installed anywhere. We recommend ensuring that you either have the expertise to complete the installation yourself or hire a qualified professional to do so.

Kit-Only Casitas Include:

- Wall Panels

- Floor Panels

- Roof Panels

- Windows

- Interior Door(s)

- Exterior Door(s)

- Loft Panels

- Porch Kit

Fully-Finished Models in our Range Include:

Interior Walls, such as lime plaster or natural paint
Exterior Walls, such as hemlock board and batten vertical siding
Stairs
Cabinetry
Built-in Shelving & Storage
Interior Flooring
All-electric and heat pump heating, cooling, and ventilation systems
Fully-plumbed option or composting toilet option
Energy Star appliance package
Lighting and plumbing fixtures
Fire suppression systems
Project Management and Site Construction

What is your familiarity level with high performance, natural building?*

I am familiar with High Performance Natural Building

I have a basic understanding of High Performance Natural Building and want to learn more

I need more information about High Performance Natural Building

I'm not familiar with High Performance Natural Building and I don't need to know anything more about it

View on Benifits of High-Performance and Natural Building Techniques*

Financing/Budget
Our Casitas range in price based a variety of factors. For example, the kit-only packages range from $65,000-$166,000 whereas the fully-finished casitas can range anywhere from $129,000-$427,500. These prices include the Casita elements only - and do not include any site work estimations. ***While site work fees can vary greatly dependent on the lot restrictions and size of the project, on average you can expect to spend between $25,000-$100,000 on improved land and between $50,000-$150,000 on unimproved in site preparation costs.

Our customers utilize a wide range of financing resources to make their Casita Projects more accessible. Check out this list of common financing options from EastRise (formerly NEFCU + VSECU) available for ADU projects.

What bests describes your current situation regarding financing or access to capital for your project?*

I have secured the necessary financing or capital for my project

I am in the process of securing financing or capital for my project

I have not yet started the process of securing financing or capital for my project

I am having difficulty securing financing or capital for my project

How do you plan to finance this project?*

I will finance the project out of pocket or through savings

I will use an existing Line of Credit or Home Equity Loan

I am planning to obtain a loan or a mortgage

I am planning to finance the project through the sale of an existing property or asset

I am exploring multiple financing options and have not yet decided

I am seeking information or advice on financing options

I have not yet looked into how I will finance this project

What is your total budget for this project, including building construction and site work costs?*

Timeline

What is your desired timeline for beginning your Casita's construction?*

Role and Land

Which land situation best describes you?*

I currently own the land I am looking to build on

I have family/friends who own land that I plan to build on

I have identified a location but do not yet own the property I plan to build on

I am in the process of searching for suitable land

I am having difficulty obtaining land for this project

The land I currently own or am looking at is...*

Improved Land (Septic/Wastewater, Electrical Service, Driveway, etc.)

Unimproved Land (Needs Septic/Wastewater, Electrical Service, Driveway, etc.)

Permitting/Zoning Requirements

Each county has its own zoning and permitting requirements for ADUs, out-buildings, in-law suites, sheds, and more.

Are you familiar with permitting/zoning requirements for the city in which you plan to build your casita?*

I have reviewed local requirements and have identified a path to permitting

I am currently researching local permitting requirements

I have not yet started researching permitting requirements

I am having a hard time obtaining permits for the property I plan to build on

Do you already have the necessary permits for your project?*

Yes, all necessary permits have been obtained

Permitting is currently in progress.

The permitting process has not yet started

Have you already conducted site evaluations for this project?*

Yes, site evaluations have been conducted.

No, site evaluations have not yet been conducted.

General Contracting Services

New Frameworks is able to ship our pre-designed Casita Kits anywhere in the country. New Frameworks also provides General Contracting and build services within a 1-hour radius of Essex, VT or Montpelier, VT. We also collaborate with numerous local builders and trades-partners in New England and across the country.

Which best describes your interest in General Contracting Services?*

I am outside of the service areas mentioned above, and would like to be connected with General Contractors in that area

I am inside the service areas mentioned above and would like to utilize New Frameworks as my General Contractor

I am inside the service area and do not plan to utilize New Frameworks as my General Contractor

I am planning to be my own General Contractor

I am outside of New Frameworks’ service areas and would like to be connected with local General Contractors and/or Builders for panel assembly.

I am within New Frameworks’ service areas and would like to utilize New Frameworks for on-site panel assembly services.

I am within New Frameworks’ service areas but plan to use my own team for panel assembly.

I am planning to assemble the panels myself with my team.

What is your intended build site address?*

What City is your project located in?*

Where is your intended build site zip code?*

Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project?

Thank you!

We deeply appreciate your taking the time to reach out to us. A member of our team will typically respond to your inquiry in 2-3 business days.

Please Contact Us if you have any additional questions!