1) You already know you want a Log Home. Now what ?

• Write a list of important features you need in your home. Make a list, separate than your partner's, and then compare notes later and consolidate your ideas.
• Based on your combined list, take clipping from magazines and various floor plan books that support your ideas.
• Compile your information so you have a rough idea what your final home features may include. For instance you may decide you need, three bedrooms, a master suite in the loft, a sewing room with lots of light, rock fireplace in the livingroom and wrap around porch decks. Always start with what you really want, then fine tune as your budget allows.
• Take time to review your final needs and prioritize your list so the designer will know what is most important for you.
• Examine the building lot, add features to your home that may best suit the lay of the land. Make sure you know the set backs so that the home you envision fits the property according to local codes.

2) Choose a Log Home product ... would you prefer Hand Crafted or Milled ?

• Handcrafted log homes are generally limited to single story log walls due to shrinking issues, but can be built with full log gables and second floors provided stringent building rules are followed. A handcrafted log home is much more natural looking than a milled log home. To learn more about handcrafted log homes click here.
• Milled or machine built log homes are generally built from dead standing timber and are therefore not subject to as much shrinking.

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3) You are ready for a Design Service. What's next ?

• The designer needs the prioritized list that you have compiled and the type of product you chose to build.
• Based on the approximate square footage of the home, we will give you a preliminary price quote. Once a deposit is received your designer will begin developing a 3D prelim house model. Click here to view a prelim sample.
• The home planner may contact you several times during the preliminary process for idea clarifications.

4) We have our first preliminary ..... how do we know if we can afford this house ?

• When you receive your first prelim, you will have your first look at what your house can look like.
• It is time to choose a wood species. We build with spruce, fir and cedar with the later being the most expensive due to it's inherent qualities and greater demand. To learn more about wood options and qualities, click here.
  
• At this point we will send you a preliminary log shell package price based on the current model. You can expect that anything log (i.e.: walls, railings, stairs, beams , etc) will be included in the preliminary price quote.

5) We have evaluated the model and we are thinking of making changes.

• We always recommend clients take some time at this point ..... to reflect on all their ideas and the associated house model in front of them.
• After taking time to deliberate, make a new list of changes and revisions based on this current model and send them to the designer.
• We then apply the second set of changes to the model, and revise the log shell price according to the changes made.
• If you are satisfied with all the revisions we then prepare the final plan set and accept the final payment for the plans.

6) Can I now go get a building permit ?

• The building code is different for every State and all log home plans must be engineered and stamped locally before applying for a permit.
• If the engineer of record makes any structural changes to the log work, the shell is re-quoted and you are ready to make a buying decision.

Now that you have an understanding of the process, take time to enjoy the rest of our site.