There are so many decisions involved in building a home. But when you’re building a log home, a few special considerations come into play, too. Of all the aspects you have to consider, hiring the right builder is probably THE most important decision you will make. Keep the following five points in mind as you start shopping for a builder who will transform your log package into a perfect log home.
Fact or Fiction?
Price should not be the deciding factor in your builder selection.
Fact. Although securing the best possible price is logical when you’re selecting a builder or general contractor, you’d be wise not to hire someone on price alone. Other considerations are equally important. Aspects such as licensing, insurance, certifications, start/finish dates, and site-safety practices must all be carefully weighed when making your final selection. Not to mention that the quality of products, workmanship, and service can vary considerably from contractor to contractor, so compare bids side-by-side so you know exactly what you’re getting (or not getting) for the money. Your builder’s estimate should be very detailed and include everything. A disreputable contractor may quote you a low price in order to get the sale only to ding you later with hidden costs and extra charges from change orders.
Fact or Fiction?
Reviewing builders’ websites is the best way to educate yourself about a builder’s services and reputation.
FICTION. Searching for local homebuilders online will certainly provide you with websites of builders in your area and across the country, but remember: their sites are marketing tools designed to show them in the best possible light. Taking your Internet research one step further by checking chat boards, blogs, and customer reviews from people who have used the builder may reveal insider information that will help you to make the most educated decision.
Fact or Fiction?
It’s okay to hire a builder you’ve never met.
FICTION. You should never hire a builder before you meet him or her in person. There’s nothing better than a face-to-face meeting to evaluate whether his or her communication skills and work styles mesh with your own. Many people don’t consider personality compatibility to be important and end up frustrated and disappointed when conflicts arise. Remember: You will be working closely with this person on every aspect of your dream log cabin for months—perhaps a year or more—so you and your builder will need to have an excellent, respectful working relationship, in which you both can communicate expectations clearly and honestly.
To get the truest sense of how it will be to work with each candidate, visit an active job site. See how the builder interacts with his/her crew. Look around the site. Is it organized? Is it clean? This will give you a peek at the builder’s attention to detail. Find out what lumberyards he/she uses and ask the staff what it’s like to work with this person. Is the builder in demand? Are his/her accounts current? Something as simple as a moment of hesitation or an eye roll can clue you in that this might not be the builder
for you.
If you’re building cross-country and are hoping to hire a builder who’s local to your job site, we know interviewing long distance can be a challenge. But trust us—it’s so worth your time and the cost of airfare to have the peace of mind that comes with meeting your prospective builder personally.
Fact or Fiction?
The builder you hire is just as important as the log home company you choose.
Fact. Your log home provider can design and cut the log package to precision, but sadly, if your builder isn’t up to snuff, your dream home can quickly turn into a nightmare. Many log home manufacturers will tell you that the builder you choose will make or break your satisfaction with your log home—both the experience of building it as well as the finished product. Ask each builder you interview about how he handles a construction project; does he have a regular crew of skilled craftsmen and specialists (like electricians, plumbers, etc.) he works with regularly; will he report on the progress to you regularly? Some builders even will post milestone photos to a website, or stream a live camera feed to the Internet so you can log on and check progress at any time. At the very least, your builder should give you weekly updates by phone or e-mail. Hire someone who’s going to keep you in the loop.
Fact or Fiction?
A builder must have experience building homes by your specific log home manufacturer.
FICTION. Although you certainly want to hire a builder who has log home building experience and understands the intricacies of log construction that other types of housing don’t have (such as accommodating for settling around windows and doors and running wiring through log walls),
your builder doesn’t necessarily need to have built houses by your log home provider before. Nearly every log home is a custom home—even if you go with a stock floorplan—so when reviewing a builder’s portfolio and experience, it’s more important to look for someone who has a built a diverse array of log home styles. That said, if your log home company provides you with builder references, don’t ignore them. By personally recommending a builder, your log home rep is telling you he or she has faith that this person will build your home to the correct specifications. Just don’t feel limited to this list.