Choose the right connection
Would a separate cottage create the privacy you want, or would an addition make daily family life easier? Compare the relationship to the main house, the outdoor space, and how residents will arrive and move through the property.
Discuss logistics early
Ask how material deliveries, equipment transport, crew travel, staging, and storage will be organized. Identify access limitations and where materials can be held safely. These are scope questions to resolve before a schedule becomes a commitment.
Price the island scope separately
Mainland planning ranges should not be treated as an island quote. Freight, mobilization, access, material choices, existing conditions, and the final design can change the budget. Ask for these assumptions to be visible in your proposal.
Check the review path before finalizing
Confirm applicable local and regional review with the relevant offices and your design professionals. The Martha’s Vineyard Commission publishes planning and housing resources; the requirements for a specific property need individual confirmation.
Begin with an address and a clear brief
Share your town, address, photos, any existing drawings, intended living arrangement, and target project period. Bring questions about site access and any property constraints you already know about.
Helpful official resources
Reviewed October 2026. Confirm current requirements and project eligibility with the relevant offices. This guide offers planning questions, not property-specific approvals or construction pricing.