Current Status
1,000
Max Sq Ft (CDU)
~6 mo
Land Use Approval
3–6 mo
Prefab Production
~12 mo
Target Completion
$600K
All-In Budget
4
Shortlisted
Vendor Spec Sheet
The full project specification, ready to send to vendors when requesting quotes. This is a standalone page you can share directly — it includes site conditions, structure requirements, budget, timeline, and Jon's contact info.
View Vendor Spec Sheet →CDU Options Gallery
4 shortlisted options from 30+ manufacturers researched. The spec sheet is being sent to these 3 vendors for quotes. Budget is flexible — an extra $100K is fine if the unit is significantly nicer.
The Two Pines
Zook Cabins — Manheim, PA
- Area
- 935 sq ft
- Layout
- 2 bed / 2 bath
- Roof
- Pitched, corrugated metal
- Build
- Dual-module, IRC
CO Approved
Snow Load OK
Price: Quote required
View on Zook Cabins →
Each bedroom is a master suite with private bath + 60" shower. 10 ft cathedral ceilings. Lunawood siding. Has done post-wildfire rebuilds in CO. CO Division of Housing insignias confirmed.
The Retreat (TM 907)
TinyMod Living — Evergreen, CO
- Area
- 907 sq ft
- Layout
- 2 bed / 2 bath
- Roof
- Pitched gable, metal optional
- Build
- Modular, factory-built
CO Based
Turnkey
$132,055 base
View on TinyMod →
Colorado-based (Evergreen). Turnkey: feasibility, permitting, foundation coordination, crane set. Standing seam metal roof available as upgrade. Best value option at this size.
The Leadville 840
SmartPads — Steamboat Springs, CO
- Area
- 840 sq ft (expandable)
- Layout
- 2 bed / 2 bath
- Roof
- Pitched, metal standard
- Build
- IRC/IBC modular
CO Based
Mountain Specialist
Near-Turnkey
~$382K–$445K all-in
View on SmartPads →
Markets to Aspen/Roaring Fork Valley. Mountain snow loads are "one of our specialties." At 840 sq ft, slightly below target but does custom modifications to bump toward 1,000. All-in price includes site work, foundation, delivery. 95% complete from factory. Well within budget.
The Outpost
SmartPads — Steamboat Springs, CO
- Area
- 1,000 sq ft
- Layout
- 2 bed / 2 bath
- Roof
- Pitched, metal
- Build
- IRC/IBC modular, 2 modules
CO Based
Mountain Specialist
Near-Turnkey
Starting at $369,000
View on SmartPads →
Jon and Lauren liked this one. Part of SmartPads' new ADU line. Hits the 1,000 sq ft cap exactly. Includes mudroom with bench/cubbies, stacked washer/dryer, exterior storage locker, covered deck, optional gas fireplace. 95% complete from factory.
6 other options were researched but not selected. View other options considered →
Project Timeline
Zoning Confirmed with Pitkin County
March 30–31, 2026
Two calls with Planner of the Day & Rebecca. CDU confirmed: 1,000 sq ft max living area, two separate structures allowed, special review required (~6 months), prefab favored.
Project Specification Documented
March 30–31, 2026
Full spec with site conditions, regulatory analysis, building code requirements, dimensional limits, and open questions. All county code definitions confirmed.
Vendor Research Completed
March 31, 2026
Five rounds of deep research covering 30+ manufacturers. Found 8 IRC-modular options and 2 panelized kit options that meet all requirements. Key finding: 850–1,000 sq ft / 2BR / 2BA is a confirmed gap in the market.
Vendor Presentation to Jon & Lauren
April 3, 2026
Presented all 9 options. Key decisions: 3 bedrooms desired (2 minimum), kitchen non-negotiable, no flat roofs, natural gas confirmed. Casita/compound approach ruled out — 1,000 sq ft cap is total, not per-unit. Shortlisted 3 vendors: Zook, TinyMod, SmartPads.
Send Spec Sheet to 3 Vendors
Target: April 2026
Send the prepared spec sheet to Zook Cabins, TinyMod Living, and SmartPads to get quotes and skip the initial sales call. Jon and Lauren to proof it before sending. Request both 2BR and 3BR floor plan options.
Submit Land Use Application
Target: April–May 2026
Submit full land use application to Pitkin County for special review. Include CDU plans and (optionally) garage plans in one application. Monthly assignment cycle — earlier submission means earlier assignment. No architect required for land use.
Septic & Well Assessment
Target: May–June 2026
Soil/percolation test for new septic system. Confirm if existing well can support CDU or if new well is needed. Contact Bryan Daugherty (OWTS) at 970-319-3799.
Land Use Approval (Special Review)
~6 months from submission
Full special review process. Can overlap with vendor design finalization and prefab production start.
Prefab Production
3–6 months (can overlap with land use)
Factory builds the CDU modules. If vendor is selected early, production can begin while land use approval is in progress.
Site Work & Foundation
After land use approval
Foundation pour, septic installation, utility extensions (electrical, water). Foundation must be poured, cured, and inspected before module delivery.
Delivery & Installation
Target: Q1–Q2 2027
Module delivery via narrow Twining Flats Rd. Crane set onto foundation. Final connections, inspections, and occupancy permit.
Key insight: Prefab production (3–6 months) can overlap with the land use approval period (~6 months). Selecting a vendor now and finalizing designs while the application is in review is the fastest path to completion.
Firm Requirements
Confirmed during the April 3 presentation. These are non-negotiable.
Decisions from the Meeting
| Total CDU size | 1,000 sq ft maximum — this is the total across all free-standing structures (casita/compound approach ruled out) |
| Bedrooms | 2 minimum, 3 desired. Explore dropping the living room to fit a 3rd bedroom. Get quotes for both layouts. |
| Kitchen | Non-negotiable. Cannot be removed or traded for a bedroom. Full kitchen or kitchenette. |
| Roof | Pitched roof only — no flat roofs. Snow load, aesthetics, and ceiling volume. |
| Gas | Natural gas confirmed on property. Can be routed to the CDU. |
County & Code Requirements (Verified)
| Snow load | 80–100+ PSF ground snow load (Pitkin County, ~7,300 ft elevation) |
| Frost protection | 36″ minimum depth |
| Energy code | 2021 IECC |
| Design temperature | −16°F |
| Construction | IRC/IBC modular required (not HUD-code). Must carry Colorado Division of Housing insignia. |
| Roof rating | Class A minimum. Ice dam barrier required (4.5 ft inside exterior wall line). |
| Standing seam metal | Preferred roof material |
Decisions Needed
Remaining items that need resolution. The vendor shortlist was decided April 3.
Resolved April 3: Sending the spec sheet to three vendors — Zook Cabins, TinyMod Living, and SmartPads. Jon and Lauren to proof it before sending. Pascal (house manager in Aspen) will manage the project as GC on-site.
Decision 1 — Before Application
Include the garage in the land use application?
Rebecca suggested doing CDU + garage together in one land use application. The garage is lower priority but getting it approved now means Jon can build it whenever. Garage counts toward 5,750 sq ft total floor area.
Decision 2 — Ongoing
Who manages the permitting process?
Options: the vendor (if turnkey), a hired GC, Pascal, or a permitting consultant. Rebecca mentioned an owner builder license may be needed for building permit submission in Sage.
Open Items
Before Sending Spec Sheet
- Jon and Lauren to proof the spec sheet before it goes to vendors
Must Answer Soon
- Owner builder license — Rebecca to confirm if needed for building permit in Sage
- Crane access — consult Pascal about the tight turn on Twining Flats Rd. Can a crane / delivery truck make it?
- Photos of the proposed build site and access road
- Confirm well capacity — can the existing well support a second dwelling?
- Soil conditions — has a geotechnical survey been done?
Resolved
Is natural gas or propane available?— Natural gas confirmedWhich vendors to contact?— Zook, TinyMod, SmartPadsGeneral contractor?— Pascal (house manager) will manage as GC on-siteKitchen vs. extra bedroom?— Kitchen is non-negotiableCasita / multi-unit approach?— Ruled out (1,000 sq ft total cap)
Can Determine During Vendor Process
- Foundation type recommendation (slab, crawl space, etc.)
- Exact footprint and floor plan within 1,000 sq ft cap
- Specific snow load engineering for the site
- Delivery logistics for Twining Flats Rd
Key Contacts
Pitkin County
- Rebecca (Planner of the Day) — has context on this project. Call preferred over text.
- Planner of the Day — 970-429-6108 / planneroftheday@pitkincounty.com
- Builder of the Day — builderoftheday@pitkincounty.com
- OWTS / Septic (Bryan Daugherty) — 970-319-3799
- Community Development — 970-920-5526
Online Systems
- Permit system: sagesgov.com/pitkincounty-co
- Support: PATS-Support@pitkincounty.com
Property Documents
Reference documents for the property. Click to open.
Topographic survey by Aspen Survey, January 2024
Professional survey showing elevation contours, property boundaries, existing structures, and the Activity Envelope where the CDU can be placed.
AXIS Productions, Basalt, CO
Floor plan of the primary residence (~2,108 sq ft). Useful for understanding the existing footprint and remaining floor area budget.
Kline Home Services, June 17, 2024
Full home inspection report covering structural, electrical, plumbing, and site conditions. Relevant for understanding existing infrastructure the CDU may tie into.
Resources
Research Prompt
Copy and paste this into ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI tool to find additional CDU vendors that meet the project requirements.
Find prefabricated modular home options for a Caretaker Dwelling Unit (CDU) on a mountain property in Pitkin County, CO (near Aspen, elevation ~7,300 ft). HARD REQUIREMENTS: - 850–1,000 sq ft living area (1,000 sq ft max, county-mandated) - 2 bedrooms minimum, 3 preferred. 2 full bathrooms minimum. - Kitchen is non-negotiable (full kitchen or kitchenette) - Pitched roof only — NO flat roofs. Standing seam metal preferred. - IRC/IBC modular construction (NOT HUD-code manufactured) - Must be approved or approvable in Colorado (CO Division of Housing insignia) - Snow load rated for 80–100+ PSF ground snow load - Delivery to a narrow mountain road with tight turnaround BUDGET: ~$600,000 all-in (structure + site work + foundation + delivery). Flexible — an extra $100K is fine for a nicer unit. STYLE: Mountain modern aesthetic. Mid-grade interior finish. ENGINEERING: 2021 IECC energy code, 36" frost protection, -16°F design temp, Class A roof, ice dam barrier required. ALREADY EVALUATED (do not include these): Zook Cabins, TinyMod Living, SmartPads, Dreamwood Homes, DEN Outdoors, Ideabox, Method Homes, KIT Custom Homebuilders, Studio Shed, Phoenix Haus, Irontown Modular, Fading West, Vederra, Rocky Mountain Modular, NorthStar Systembuilt, Dvele, Colorado Modular Homes, Clayton Homes, Perpetual Homes, ELMNTL, Wheelhaus, Stillwater Dwellings, Abodu, Backcountry Tiny Homes, NODE, Lindal Cedar Homes, Bensonwood, Davis Frame, Kopper Creek, Kanga Room Systems. For each option found, provide: manufacturer name, model, sq ft, BR/BA count, roof type, construction type, CO experience, price, and a direct URL to the model page. Sort by best fit first.