For those who embark on the journey of building the log or timber home they have always wanted, one point become clear early in the process. The dream may be realized only within the boundaries of what the budget will bear. Finding the necessary balance between building and budget is a curious combination of art and science, aspiration and reality. Taking some time to consider the parameters that must guide the building process reduces stress while saving later effort and money. “W…
We all dream of living in a log home. But what we don’t dream about is spending countless hours maintaining that home. The good news is that if you build it right in the first place, maintenance won’t be an issue. To help with that effort, we spoke to several experts about what it takes to design a log home for minimal exterior maintenance. Here’s what they had to say. 1. Examine the Overhangs Most wood rot and damage comes from water splashing onto the logs. If your roof overhangs adequately in a…
Log homes have come a long way from the days of Little House on the Prairie and Grizzly Adams. Modest one- and two-room cabins have given way to multilevel showstoppers that are equal parts art and architecture. Still, the yearning to invest sweat equity remains strong for some log home owners. There is romanticism to knowing you built your home with your own two hands. At the advent of the modern log home industry in the 1960s and 197…
Along the road to log home ownership, you will eventually hit the inevitable speed bump of wants versus budget. “Wants versus needs” might be the first thing that comes to mind, but a log home has to have the basic needs in order to receive a certificate of occupancy: logs, a kitchen, an HVAC system, a roof, etc. It’s when you you start putting in the wants from your own personal list that your budget gets stretched. You want to infuse your home with the things that will tru…
Some of my favorite time at home is spent on a quiet spring afternoon, sitting on my deck listening to the rain hit the metal roof overhead. Whether it’s watching the sun set on a long, lazy summer evening, entertaining family around an outdoor fire pit, or playing a friendly game of flag football on the lawn, our time spent outdoors is the stuff memories are made of. Many of us choose our home’s location specifically for the abundant natural beau…
The esteemed poet and author Maya Angelou once said, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” What we know about energy efficiency has increased exponentially in recent years. So now that we know better, there’s no excuse for not doing better when it comes to homebuilding. Not only are energy-efficient building practices an important way to preserve the environment, they lead to a more comfortable home and can also save you money—…
Fractional ownership, also known as “shared ownership,” is a concept often lumped in with timeshares, but they’re only distantly related. Like a timeshare, you have access to a piece of property for a specified period of time each year, which varies depending on the number of owners who share each property. However, the key distinction between fractional ownership and a timeshare is that in fractional ownership, you buy deeded real estate—you buy a home—n…
Building a log or timber home in a rural area and/or on undeveloped land can present a unique set of challenges that most other homeowners don’t have to manage. Even if you’ve already selected the perfect plot of land for your new abode, there are certain considerations that must be factored in before moving forward with the site preparation and the actual home construction. If you haven’t found the right place yet, on the other hand, you’ll want to find a real estate broker who knows the intri…
Establishing a realistic budget may well be the most critical element in the successful financing of a log home construction project. Determining the overall cost of construction and any necessary financing simplifies the entire experience. A cost estimate and detailed budget include the anticipated expenses for major items such as the logs themselves right down to the types of light fixtures that are to be installed and the nails that hold the structure together. “Work on collecting data,” urges Andy W…
“Green” is everywhere these days—we recycle, we reuse, we try to be mindful of our energy consumption. And as people throughout the country become increasingly aware of their own environmental footprint, the green movement has come to homebuilding as well. Build green and you’ll end up with an efficient home, lower energy bills, a healthier environment, and you may qualify for tax rebates and zoning allowances, depending on where you live. Why Certify? “The…
Many log home lovers spend years dreaming about how to build their perfect rustic retreat. While taking on an expensive and long-term construction project may seem daunting, careful research and planning in the beginning can eliminate headaches and lead to a happy ending. Here are eight tips for a smooth building process. 1. Do Your Research The first and most important step to building your log home is to do careful research about everything from home mortgages …
When the log or timber home they have always wanted begins to take shape, some homeowners bring their own personal skills to the project, pitching in with certain aspects of the construction process. For these individuals, the satisfaction of saving money is complemented by the hands-on participation in the completion of their long-sought-after home. Many times, owners enjoy that degree of participation, contributing to the finished project, but there are risks i…
