Whether you’re building your dream log home or looking to purchase one already built, it’s important to do your homework and find the right builder. After all, it’s a big investment and you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth!
A quality log home will provide several benefits over other types of construction. These include energy efficiency, thermal mass and sound deadening.
Cost
When you are planning to build a log home, you need to know what it will cost. The good news is, a log home can be built within your budget if you know how to budget and work with a skilled log home builder.
The cost of a log home is based on the design, construction methods and materials used. Generally, a log home costs more than a traditional house because it is more difficult to build and requires specialized materials and labor.
In addition, a log home needs more attention to maintenance than a traditional house because it is made from natural wood products that are susceptible to mold and rot. This means that you will need to spend money on staining, caulking and cleaning material each year.
Nevertheless, building a log home is worth the investment if you want to own your own home. The benefits of owning a home include the freedom to customize it to your family’s needs and preferences, the ability to enjoy nature at your fingertips, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a high quality structure on your property.
To start the process, you need to find a suitable site for your dream home. This can be done by finding a suitable plot of land or contacting a company that offers the services of land experts.
The site should also be cleared and prepared for the construction of your cabin. This will require a foundation, which can be a concrete pier foundation, a raft foundation or a strip foundation (concrete base).
Once the site is ready, you can begin designing your log home. Your log home company can help you with this step, as they will be able to provide you with blueprints and a quote for the log shell of your dream home.
After the shell is completed, the builder will begin constructing your home. The builder will use a variety of different methods to assemble the logs and create your home. These methods include:
Ultimately, the cost of building your dream home depends on the size of your home and the type of building materials used to construct it. While a standard log cabin can be built for less than $100 per square foot, you should expect to pay at least $300 per square foot for the most elaborate custom homes.
Time
Whether you’re building a log home for the first time or are looking for a change of pace, it’s important to get the right plans and construction process in place. Getting ideas on paper will allow you to visualize the home as it should be.
A good start is to look at magazines that feature log homes. These publications will offer a wide range of styles and designs, as well as details that might not be found in other sources.
Another good source of ideas is to talk to people who have recently built a log home. They may be able to provide you with information about the construction process, or they might be able to give you some tips on how to make your design work better for the land you plan to build on.
When a house plan is ready to begin, the designer will plot it on the computer using a program that can make changes to it easily and quickly. This allows the designer to show you almost instantly how different decisions will affect the overall look of the house.
Once the design is complete, it will be converted into a set of blueprints that tell how the walls, roof and foundation will be built. These plans also specify the mechanical systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, electrical circuitry and flooring.
If you’re working with a reputable log builder, they will have a design department and a professional engineer on staff. Depending on the size of the company, this person might be an architect or simply an expert in designing log homes.
For more complex plans, an architect might be needed, but some log producers can design a basic log house plan with the help of a computer. This saves money, and it often gives the customer a good idea of what their home will look like before they commit to the project.
The construction process varies based on the type of log system you’re working with, but there are some general rules. The most important is that the first course of logs should be square and level, and that the corners should remain plumb. These standards are especially crucial when building with milled, pre-cut logs. A good log builder will check the walls and corners often, using a level or plumb bob to verify that the home is on square.
Design
There are many factors to consider when choosing a log home builder for your project. These include cost, location and design options.
Log homes can be built in a variety of styles and sizes, ranging from large lodge-style houses to cozy cabins on the lake or in the mountains. A reputable builder will be familiar with the different styles and construction types and can help you make an informed decision.
The first step is to identify the land on which you want to build your log home or log cabin. This information will be used to determine the type of logs and other materials needed to build your home. It will also help the builder determine the overall costs for the project.
Once the land is identified, the next step is to develop a detailed plan for your home. This will involve the creation of preliminary drawings, elevations, floor plans and blueprints for the project.
This will then be passed along to the log home company who will begin construction. This typically involves the delivery of two or three truckloads of logs and other building components to the job site.
Some companies use the traditional scribing and notching method to construct their log homes, but others have found that a modern technique called “butt-and-pass” is more cost effective and structurally stronger than this traditional method. This newer method uses inexpensive rebar and other reinforcing materials instead of hand scribing, notching and close fitting to create a strong and beautiful log home.
These new methods also require less labor and fewer resources to complete each house, which can save money for the family who wants a log home but isn’t willing to pay the high costs associated with scribing, notching and rebar. This method also makes it easier for homeowners to customize their log home design.
Regardless of the construction method chosen, the final product must meet building code requirements. This is especially important for those who live in areas where building codes are strict.
Generally, the best way to ensure your home meets codes is to work with a company that has partnered with one of the national model building code organizations. These agencies review the technical documents provided by the log home producer to confirm that their building system meets code requirements. The agency then issues a research report that certifies that your home is compliant with their model building code.
Quality
If you’re building a log home, it’s important to choose the right builder. You need a company that will deliver the quality you’re looking for and won’t put your project in jeopardy by cutting corners or charging extra for services.
It’s a good idea to ask the log home builder about their work history. Find out how long they’ve been in business, and what type of homes they’ve built before. If they’ve been in the business for less than a year, you’re probably going to need to look elsewhere.
Experience is the most important factor when choosing a log home builder. You want a company that’s seasoned at constructing custom cabins and not one whose focus is on lower-end spec houses.
Ideally, you’ll also look for a builder who has built many homes in your area. This will allow you to see if they’ve delivered on their promises before and get references from homeowners who’ve worked with them before.
A high level of customer service is another important factor in choosing a builder. You’ll want a company that responds quickly to your questions and will make sure you understand how the process works.
You’ll also want to choose a company that offers options for customization, such as the choice of wood species and color choices. Some log home builders only offer pre-designed floor plans, but others specialize in custom designs and can help you design the ideal cabin for your property.
The best log home builders are transparent about their work and don’t hide any details that could affect your enjoyment of the finished product. This includes telling you the cost of materials, how they’ll be cut and where they’ll be delivered.
This is particularly important for log homes that use real timber, because these structures will need ongoing maintenance to keep them looking great. You’ll want to find a builder who’s honest about their plans for ongoing painting, staining, pest control and caulking so that you can plan accordingly.
You’ll be living in your log home for many years to come, so you need to find a builder who will do their best to ensure your house looks as good as possible when it’s time to move on. You can do this by comparing their pricing and the quality of their finished cabins, and by talking to other homeowners who’ve worked with them.