From vision to reality

What is important to you about having a log home? As you begin to design your log home, consider what is needed. Start a file with details of what’s important to you and your family. There are different needs for all stages of life.

After you have an outline of what’s important to you and what your needs are in a home, it’s then time to choose a log home builder that works for you. After choosing your log home builder, then you will be choosing your local contractor who will be helping you to finish your log home to turn key according to your plans. Your local contractor will have local knowledge about building regulations, setbacks, zoningand other factors which can affect the size and location of your home.

You will want to choose your property before you settle on a home plan. Your choice of property will enhance the beauty of your new log home. Once you have chosen your home site, show it to your builder or contractor who will be doing your finish work. He or she will likely have ideas of how to position your log home for best views and light access.

Once you’ve chosen your property you now have opportunity to customize your home plans to the property you have settled upon. Regional weather, snow levels, driveway placement and views are all factors in how you will design your home.

We would love to help you to review the options you are considering: using your existing plans, modifying a plan or creating a new custom design for your home. Provide as much detail as possible at this stage – select your deck, garage, interior trims, appliances and fixtures – so that the your budget estimate will be as accurate as possible. Remember to include stain and final finishings as an important part of your plans.

If possible, put on your tool belt! If you can take part in the building process you will save thousands of dollars and develop a sense of personal pride in the finished product. Money saved on the construction allows you to invest that money in other parts of the log home, like in furnishings or adding upgraded features.

Upon reviewing your plans, take a closer look to make sure you’ve not forgotten anything of importance. Look again at your dream for your log home life and then review that with your final design. After you approve your plans, then it’s time to move forward. The next step is to have your plans engineered. It’s important that the person who engineers your log home plans understands log homes.

You will then submit your engineered plans to your county building department. After they are approved and permits in place then it’s time for the next step.

Now you have your plans. Upon completion it’s now time for us to create your dream home. Your log home will be custom hand crafted and assembled in our log yard and then loaded onto trucks for delivery to your home site.

Working with you contractor, determine what work needs to be done to prepare your site for your home. Your contractor will help you determine what direction your home will face for light and views. Your contractor will also help you to decide upon what type of foundation you will use. No matter what type of foundation is specified, it is important to construct a foundation that provides a solid base for you log home.

This is an exciting day. One you’ve planned for. At this point your foundation has been poured, is complete and it’s ready for the logs to be set, starting with the seal logs.

Whether you’re using a contractor or doing it yourself, now is the time you become the captain and on site administrator for the completion of your log home.

Weather Effects

In the area of construction and preservation of your log home, there are a few things you should be willing to spend a little extra money on to better protect your logs. Gutters and extended overhangs are helpful. Rain and moisture is corrosive to the logs, which is why you do not want to skimp out on rain gutters, finish or overhangs. In an attempt to stay within budget, some folks leave out these things when in reality they are necessities.

Be prepared to communicate well with your builder and contractors.

Building a handcrafted log home is not like installing a manufactured home. Problems and challenges may arise that can require a novel solution. A good builder or contractor will work with you to see your plan and perspective to accomplish your goal in a practical time frame. Your builder and contractor may not be able to solve a problem by sundown, but more often than not he can deliver a professionally built home in the time frame expected.

Below is a sample construction project shown in order of installation. Timelines will vary depending on the build location, weather, the size of the home, the complexity of the home design, availability of contractors, and many other issues.

1. Property prep, grading and excavating
2. Install temporary utilities if desired
3. Install forms, pour footings, and foundation
4. Install subfloor and backfill
5. Erect log walls and roof system
6. Install interior wall partition
7. Install second floor system
8. Rough plumb
9. Install rough electrical
10. Install heating and air conditioning rough-in materials
11. Interior walls, drywall, paneling, etc.
12. Exterior finish, soffits, windows, and doors
13. Finish interior carpentry
14. Install tile work
15. Install cabinets
16. Install concrete driveways and sidewalk
17. Finish interior painting and all covering
18. Finish electrical outlets and fixtures
19. Finish plumbing, set fixtures, etc.
20. Finish flooring, hardwood, and carpet
21. Final landscaping
22. General cleanup
23. Final inspection and move-in date!