Answers to the Log Home Shopper's
Most Frequently Asked Questions
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The Carpenter Bee is a pesky insect
that plagues every log home owner. I have found a product that is
near magic - CYPER WP. The product is sprayed on the areas where the
Carpenter Bee is likely to nest and the product is effective for up to
three months - easily covering the bee season.. I do not know if the
product kills or simply repels the bees. Either way, there is a
major reduction in the bee activity and the product can be re-applied as
necessary.
Click here for more information and/or to place an order. Once I
discovered this product I canceled a pest control contract that cost $400
per year.
Sandy Helms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Answers
1. How do heating and air-conditioning costs compare with similar costs for conventional homes? There is only one way to answer that question, talk to families who have spent a couple of years in a log home. Our position on this issue is firm. If the house is properly built, your energy costs will be lower. Total gas and electric bills for B and H's 2300 square foot "Sandy's Joy" were $2,437.79 for the period June 1, 2001, to May 31, 2002 - slightly more than $200 per month. The "Sandy's Joy" is a live-in mode log home, occupied virtually around the clock.
2. Is log construction cheaper than conventional construction? When compared with high quality conventional construction, log homes are competitively priced. However, log homes will be more expensive than modular or low end conventional construction. For those of us who enjoy the solid, warm environment of a log home, the additional cost is worthwhile.
3. Is it necessary to put a finish on the exterior of a log home? That depends. Untreated White Cedar weathers to a silver gray in dry climates. In warm moist climates, mildew becomes a problem. Most log home owners prefer to retain a natural appearance and will apply a penetrating finish to the outside of their log home. As a rule, the finish should be reapplied every 5 years or so.
4. What about an interior finish? Again it is a matter of preference. Most owners apply two coats of polyurethane to interior log walls. Repeated applications are not necessary.
5. I am not sure I care about the checking I have seen in the walls and beams of log homes. Do you control or eliminate checking in your product? Checking is an inherent characteristic of solid wood timbers; therefore, checking will always be present in log homes. However, checking does not effect the strength of the timbers. Log home owners accept checking as part of the “character” of their home. If the natural characteristics of solid wood (checking, knots, color variations, etc.) bother you, then you should seriously reconsider whether or not you will be happy in a log home.
6. Why are higher ceilings and sunken rooms more easily accommodated with post and beam construction than with "stack and build" construction? The load of the roof system is carried by our 8"x8" corner posts and 3"x6" uprights. As the logs dry and shrink (and all logs dry slightly) when exposed to the home’s heating and air-conditioning, our roof system does not move. Stack and build construction puts the roof load directly on the logs. Companies that build using this system have developed techniques for handling settling of the roof. However, higher walls and varying wall heights complicate the settling problem.
7. What materials are included in your kits? Generally speaking, if the item is available from your local building supplier, it will not be in our kit. Purchasing a more complete kit (for example, to the weather tight stage) does offer a convenience. However, if low cost is a priority, we encourage you to price the common building materials at your local supplier. We are convinced you will pay less buying the common building materials (not to be confused with logs, beams, siding, etc in the B and H kit) locally. Buying locally offers other advantages. First, you will have many options for such items as windows and doors. Second, your common building materials will be purchased and delivered to the job as needed. Purchasing and delivering these materials as needed will reduce the construction loan costs. Delivering these materials as needed, reduces the likelihood that they "disappear" overnight. Our kits include the log walls (pre-cut to fit your foundation and windows and doors), fasteners, caulk, sealant foam, log siding, porch posts, and exposed beams and rafters. Our log home kits price list specifies the items included in each kit.
8. Can I build the house myself? If you have
the aptitude, time, physical strength and patience for such a project, the answer is,
“Yes.” But before you embark on such an endeavor, do lots of research. Unless
you have previous building experience, we recommend you hire an experienced log builder to
at least put the house under roof. We maintain a list of experienced log builders and will
gladly refer you to one or more. Before selecting your builder, insist on inspecting homes
he has built and be sure to talk to the occupants. If you proceed with the construction
yourself, you should order our log home construction manual.
9. Why is it necessary to use experienced log builders? Log construction is different from standard construction. Some tasks require skills not developed by “stick built” contractors, e.g., log wall erection, cutting and setting exposed rafters. Whether by oversight or otherwise, failure to follow recommended practices for log construction can create problems that may never be completely resolved. For example, it is essential that the walls be adequately caulked with a superior grade of caulking and that solid beams be properly secured at both ends. Once the home is finished, it may not be obvious that these and other important steps have been satisfactorily completed. If an experienced log builder is not available, at least contract with one who has an open mind and is willing to listen to those who have experience. B and H maintains a list of experienced log builders and will make this list available to any prospective log home buyer who requests it. B and H will also assist with the evaluation of a builder; however, the log home buyer is ultimately responsibility for selection of any builder on the list.
10. Can I build my home as the general contractor? Yes and you should save 15% or so in the process. However, this option is not without its frustrations, such as, subcontractors who start late and/or do poor work, material deliveries behind schedule, cost overruns, and that you should show up on the job (unannounced) daily. On the positive side, in addition to cost savings, local code officials and inspectors are usually more helpful and tolerant when the homeowner is working as the general contractor.
11. I love log homes but have a limited budget. Are there lower cost options with the “log look?” Yes, in fact there are two choices. First, you can build log walls and use manufactured roof trusses instead of exposed beams and rafters. With scissors trusses you can have vaulted ceilings in any room of the house. Applying tongue and groove paneling to the ceilings carries the log look one step further. Your second option (and the lowest cost) would be standard construction with White Cedar log siding, combined with manufactured trusses. Regardless of your choice, you will have a beautiful home.
12. Is financing readily available for log homes? Several years ago it was not always easy to obtain financing for log homes. Due to the increasing popularity of log homes, financing is rarely a problem today. Though not as readily available, financing can also be found for those homeowners that will be their own general contractor. Click here.
13. Will you design a custom log home? Yes. In fact the majority of kits delivered are custom. Just send us a sketch or marked up floor plan, be available to answer a few questions, and we will respond with a firm, detail quote. Go to our Price List - Manuals, Plans, etc. for custom drawing prices.
14. So how do I get started? What are the steps from
beginning to end?
1. Consult with your lender. He/she will determine how much money you are qualified to
borrow. Qualifying for the loan is a simple process and does not obligate the borrower in
any way. The amount of money you are qualified to borrow, together with your down payment,
will determine the size of the house and the amenities.
to pre-qualify free and without obligation. You should also visit our page "OWNER/BUILDER FINANCING" for an in-depth
presentation on financing for the owner/builder.
2. If you have not done so by now, purchase your building lot.
3. Select the model of your choice or send us a sketch as described in #13 above. We will
respond with a firm detail quote.
4. Consult with your builder. Together with your sketch and our quote, he can give you an
estimate of the finished cost.
5. If all is well at this point, it is time to order your prints. Visit "PRICE LIST-MANUALS, PLANS, etc."
to review our price list for standard and custom plans..
6. Once your plans are finalized, you must then get a commitment from your lender and
builder.
7. Either you or your builder must sign a contract for the kit and place a 20% deposit
toward the purchase price.
8. The kit will be delivered when the sub-floor is in place. The final payment is by
cashier’s check on the day of delivery.
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