LOG HOME and CABIN EDUCATION INFORMATION
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LOG HOME and CABIN EDUCATION INFORMATION
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Log home Packages Traditionally there are 2 log home packages available. 1) Log Walls 2) Log Shell Packages Log Wall Packages are just the main level log walls generally to eight feet in height. Most manufacturers allow customers to add additional logs for higher walls. You must ask each log home manufacturer what comes in their package, is it just the walls or does it include the fastening system. Thru-bolts, screws, spikes, lag bolts or wood dowels. Is the insulation that goes in between each log included, caulking to fill gaps, chinking to fill in between logs. Better yet, ask the manufacturer what doesn’t come with the log wall package that I will need to purchase to build my walls. Then get it in writing. Log wall packages allow a customer to keep their home in a budget. This package allows the customer to use conventional materials to reduce costs. Now you have an option to put as much or as little log in to your home. For example: you can put in a laminated structural ridge beam for about half the cost of a log and still have a beautiful home. Nothing says that you have to have a full round ridge beam and any manufactures should work with you to help keep with in your budget. Log Shell Packages
A traditional log shell package will come with main level log walls at a nine foot height to allow for head room for full round log floor joists on the second level. Again the manufacturer should allow you to add as much extra height to you main level log walls, you do not have to have only nine feet. You should also receive full log gables, full round log ridge beam(s), vertical support poles interior and exterior, railing specific to plans, headers and on dormers either full log or ˝ log siding ask the manufacturer for clarification on this. Also remember to ask the manufacturer what is not included and get it in writing. When you are planning to build you really need to look at the bottom line, the finished cost of building your home when selecting a log home manufacturer. This is an industry that you will get what you pay for on the front end. If you go into a log home trying to purchase a package as inexpensive as possible you must ask your self why. Does the manufacturer us a thru-bolt fastening system with pre-drilled holes or will the contractor have to set a spike or screw every 18” in every log in the home. Which of the two will require more labor? Will you have to “chink the log package and if you do how soon. Chinking a 2,000 square foot home will cost between $12,000 and $14,000 every 5-6 years. Are you disciplined enough to put money away each year until your chinking has to be replaced. Maybe you do not like the look or do not want the additional cost and maintenance that come with some log home that will have to be chinked. *see Settling section* You must take all these factors in to consideration before selecting your log home supplier. Make sure that you know what the final cost of a home will be, not just how inexpensive the log package will be. Complete log home packages Manufacturers have become very creative to develop packages to include doors, windows, floor joists, sub-floor decking, cabinets etc. The more money they can make they are thinking the better. It looks like a great deal, but in reality you the consumer ends up paying for additional shipping on materials that can be purchased and delivered from your local supply stores for free. When the trucks show up at your property with the complete package you better be ready and have a storage area fenced in to make sure items do not disappear from the job site. Hope that vandals do not throw rocks through your windows. When these items are unloaded from the trucks you assume all liability. You are responsible to review and inventory each item on the sheet sent by the manufacturer and return with-in a couple of weeks to avoid losing your warranty. You are responsible for keeping these items safe. Now you are in your home and have a warranty issue with an item supplied from a secondary company, who do you call? You will call the log home manufacturer and get the run-around, you will be passed from one customer service person to another. Bout the time you get really mad they give you a phone number of the secondary vendor and you call them and get another run-around. All this could have been avoided by purchasing your items other than the log materials from a local supply company who would have you serviced the same day or could schedule an appointment in a timely manor. It cannot be stressed enough that you should purchase all you doors, windows, cabinets etc. from local suppliers to avoid undo stress and aggravation and you would be helping to support the local economy of your new neighborhood.
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