Companies in the log and timber home industry are ready to work with prospective buyers to customize just the right package.
When prospective log and timber homeowners decide to take the plunge, there may be a moment when the “to do” list seems a bit overwhelming. There’s no need to be concerned—professional help is readily available. Personal preferences and necessities are unique to each client, and log and timber home producers and dealers are sensitive to the highest and best use of available resources. They are more than willing to work within the parameters of a basic package, providing essentials only, or even to provide a turnkey solution. Along the way, modifications are welcome.
“We know that ‘one size does not fit all,’” explains Robert Lambert of Natural Element Homes in Athens, Tennessee. “In fact, we never deliver a home that is exactly like any other home we have ever done. There is always some degree of customization, either to the plans or the materials selections or both. Therefore, we do not attempt to steer our clients toward standardization, but rather we encourage them to customize both plan and package to create a one-of-a-kind home with their own DNA and fingerprint.”
Such a perspective on the customer and the log and timber home marketplace is pervasive. Producers and dealers listen to their customers, providing advice and professional consultation. They welcome the differences in customer tastes and desires and work to fulfill their expectations.
At True North Log Homes, based in Ontario, Canada, the customer has plenty of options. A basic package serves as a template for the finished product and is well suited for customer preferences and tastes. “True North is a design and manufacturing business,” explains Marketing Manager Mark Wrightman. “We have standard shell packages and optional interior-materials packages.”
True North has further committed to the details of the log and timber home construction process with plenty of direct support. “We are 100 percent willing to work with the customer,” Wrightman adds. “We have a full, international, award-winning design department in house that is accessible to our clients. We do modern to rustic, small to large, and anywhere in between.”
At Golden Eagle Log Homes in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, prospective clients may choose from virtually unlimited options, according to President Jay Parmeter. “Every log home company sells a package, but no two include the same materials,” he remarks. “Ninety-seven percent of Golden Eagle Log Home customers choose our ‘one stop shopping’ complete package, which makes it easy for the buyer with no surprises.”
Parmeter points out that his customers may choose from detailed aspects of the package that include the types of logs, the finishes, cabinetry, flooring, appliances, and extra amenities. The available choices in logs alone can be a bit overwhelming, such as full-log milled, full-log handcrafted, insulated half and quarter log, hybrid timber frame, structural timber frame, and numerous sizes and textures. Of course, that is where the consultative aspect comes in. Working with a trusted adviser makes choosing the package an enjoyable experience.
“We believe today’s log or timber home buyer doesn’t want cookie-cutter options,” adds Parmeter. “Pick what you want via a-la-carte, and you can count on our assistance. We listen to our customers, and then listen some more, and then ask questions to help them determine what they really want. We are very good at bringing their ideas together so that, in the end, buyers get their dream home.”
A log or timber home package can be built step by step, just like the home itself. Lambert advises customers to consider a progression toward the completed package. Determine the correct building system. Establish a budget for a turnkey project, considering all related costs—from the homesite itself to the landscaping. And use standardized packages and levels of quality as a basis to create a custom package that works within both your budget and your vision of the completed home.
“We call this value engineering,” says Lambert. “We offer three primary building systems: log homes, timber frame homes, and hybrid homes. We offer four packaging levels under each building system: standard (best price); premium (best value); premium select (best quality); and custom (the perfect package). Each standardized package has 27 building categories, such as subfloor, porch floor, wall system, roof system, windows, doors, and more. We can mix and match selections for each category using the four levels.”
Parmeter sees unlimited possibilities in the Golden Eagle package lineup. He relates that the “complete” package is the company’s most popular. “We offer unlimited variations,” he comments. “All plans are custom designed, and every product in the home is selected by the customer. The options are endless: maintenance-free logs, timber frames, hand-scribed giant logs, milled logs, half logs, hybrids, and other choices. You can put your own package together, and we can offer the proper guidance so that the experience is fun instead of traumatic.”
Across the spectrum of customer preferences, log and timber home companies pride themselves on flexibility. To be sure, few if any plans are exactly the same—changes are almost always made to log and timber home packages.
“We are fully custom, so there are a lot of modifications,” says Wrightman. “We help our clients through the design process by getting to know them and how they intend to use the building inside and out. This helps us achieve their vision not only for today, but into the future.”
Gearing up to create that log or timber home of a lifetime is a tremendous undertaking; however, realizing that the sky is the limit in terms of packages opens up incredible possibilities. Together, log and timber home companies and their customers transform hopes, dreams, and ideas into reality in whatever form it may take.