B and H's Newsletter Archives

< /br>

October 1999 through February 2000< /br> titles:

Opportunities for saving money when designing and building your dream log home.
Where do I start and where do I go from there? Part 1.
How much does a log home cost?
You are here. ^^ Scroll down for the newsletters.
Click here for these newsletters >> March 2000 through August 2000
titles: Where do I start and where do I go from there? Part 2.
A sad but true story.
Where do I start and where do I go from there? Part 3.
Why is it Important to use an Experienced Log Builder.
New at the B and H Cedar Log Homes' web site.
Click here for these newsletters >> September 2000 through February 2001
titles: Comparing Kit Prices Quoted by Different Manufacturers or Dealers.
Log Homes and Energy Efficiency.
So Now Its Winter and Your Kit is On the Way!
Fasteners for Log Walls.
Roof Systems.
So You Want to Do it Yourself!
Click here for these newsletters >> March 2001 to the present
titles: Delivery of Your Log Home Kit.
Where can I find, or how do I prepare, a log home plan that fits my lifestyle?
The Carpenter Bee.
Bees, Builders and Braggarts.
Windows.
What Can I Expect from my Log Home Dealer?

November 1999 - Opportunities for saving money when designing and building your dream log home.

December 1999 - no publication due to problems with email software.

January 2000 - Where do I start and where do I go from there? Part 1.

February 2000 - How much does a log home cost?

October 1999

Top of Page

November 1999

This is not spam!! This is a newsletter you requested while visiting the B and H Cedar Log Homes web site at www.cedar-log-homes.com. If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter, please scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the simple instructions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new page has been added to the B and H site. Click >> log home books and magazines and you will find a "library" of log home books and magazines which you can order. I am keeping my eye on this service because I have experienced some difficulty down loading. Let me know what you think.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I did not receive any comments following the first newsletter, all letters were delivered, and no one asked to be removed from the distribution list. I guess all is well.
============================================================

This Month's Subject: Opportunities for saving money when designing and building your dream log home.

1. Build the home yourself. - This is the opportunity for the greatest saving . Of course, most of us work fulltime at other jobs and do not have the time for such an undertaking; therefore, I will move on. However, if several readers request a discussion on this subject, we will deal with it in another newsletter.

2. Act as your own general contractor. - This is your option for the second greatest saving. Most of my buyers decide to be their own general contractor. However, I always caution, "This choice is not without its headaches. That is why you save all those bucks!" Local building officials can be difficult to work with; subcontractors will be late or never show up; deliveries will be late or the wrong materials will be delivered; the weather is unpredictable; subcontractors and suppliers may take advantage of your inexperience. And the list goes on. I point this out not to discourage but rather to caution. Regardless of the pitfalls and stress, acting as your own general contractor will still save you about 20% - and that is big bucks. Having noted this as a major cost saving opportunity, I'll move on; however, this option will be the subject of a future newsletter.

3. Select your building lot with caution. - How long will the driveway be? If you must install a septic system, a health permit is a prerequisite, and then, will it be necessary to pump to the drain field (add $1,500 - $2,000 for the pump system)? Will it be necessary to cross a creek? How much grading will be involved? Is tree and stump remove going to be a problem? In other words, a "cheap" lot can quickly become an expensive lot.

4. Select your log builder with caution. - Ask for references and visit other log homes he has built.

5. Select carpet as your floor covering rather than hardwood floors. - I know, hardwood floors are a "natural" in log homes. But we are looking for opportunities to save money. Perhaps you can compromise. Put hardwood in the great room and carpet elsewhere.

6. Stick stone to plywood and studs in lieu of a full masonry chimney. - Don't tell your friends. It's impossible to see the low cost plywood and studs thru the stone.

7. If you prefer an efficient wood stove over an inefficient fireplace, select black flue pipe instead of a masonry chimney. - The black flue pipe looks great in a log home.

8. Build your home on a crawl space rather than a basement. - Again, we are looking for opportunities to save money. I know, a basement is cheap floor space and many buyers opt for the extra storage, shop and/or recreation room space. Never the less, eliminating the basement will save $8,000 - $12,000 in a typical home.

9. Have your custom fixed glass manufactured locally. - Yes, your window supplier will want to order your fixed glass from the factory. While he/she is getting a quote from the factory, visit a local glass shop. You may be pleasantly surprised.

10. If you are using stone, compare the installed cost of man made stone vs the real thing. - If the thought of using man made stone in your "natural" log home is a turn-off, visit a local supplier and inspect the product. Again, you may be pleasantly surprised.

11. Use manufactured roof trusses rather than exposed beams and rafters. - Yes, exposed beams and rafters are classic in a log home. But the roof trusses can save $10 per square foot. You can still have vaulted ceilings with roof trusses and you can have a tongue and groove paneled ceiling under the trusses. You can even add a few exposed rafters for "looks." We compromised. We have exposed beams and rafters over the great room, kitchen and dining room but used roof trusses over the bedrooms. The guest bedrooms have a flat ceiling and our master suite has a vaulted ceiling. All bedroom ceilings are covered with sheet rock. (Refer to our Model, "Sandy's Joy.")

12. Select your windows and doors with care. - This is a major opportunity for savings. Compare the quality and cost of several manufacturers before making a decision.

13. Select your plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures and kitchen cabinets with care. - These are also major opportunities for controlling your costs.

14. Start shopping early. - Even if you hire a builder to do a "turn key" job, you can save money on individual items in the house - for example, appliances, floor coverings, windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, kitchen cabinets, counter tops, etc., etc. The earlier you start shopping the more likely you are to find items on sale. Just let your "turn key" builder know in advance that you plan to shop for sale items and BE AWARE, if you slow down or inconvenience the builder, you will quickly lose what you saved and probably much more. If you are acting as your own general contractor, this is where you start saving that 20%.

We hope these suggestions are helpful.

Until next month, best wishes! SANDY HELMS
=========================================================

If you would like to see a particular issue discussed in this newsletter, send an email to info@cedar-log-homes.com. We have knowledgeable log builders and manufacturers willing to answer your questions.

Any comments/observations on the B and H web site and this newsletter are ALWAYS welcome.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe to this newsletter, send an email to info@cedar-log-homes.com with "remove" in the subject line.

Top of Page

JANUARY 2000

Changes at the B and H web site:

We are in the process of preparing lists of materials needed to complete each kit to the weather tight stage. This process will take some time. If you are interested in this service, please visit: Lists of Weather Tight Materials for B and H Cedar Log Homes' Standard Models. Here you will find a form you can use to tell us which kit is of interest to you. The lists will cost $19.50 each and will be ordered on line by credit card. Credit card service should be in place by February.

Our most popular floor plans are now identified at: log-home-plans-links.htm.

Several construction drawings may be ordered on line at Log Home Plans for Sale, $200. Additional drawings will be added as we receive requests. We sell the plans even if the kit is ordered from a competitor.

We have added links that take you to sites where you may purchase log home books, magazines and videos. You will find the links at log-home-books-and-magazines.htm.

B and H's Cedar Log Homes
Tips and Tricks for January 2000

Subject: Where do I start and where do I go from there?

We have received several requests to discuss a variety of topics; however, most correspondents are interested in a discussion of how they should go about designing and constructing their new log home. Hence the subject above.

A full and comprehensive discussion of this month's subject is well beyond the intent of a single newsletter. In fact, a book could easily be written on the subject. We shall approach this task "a little at a time." This month we will present an outline of the various steps and options that must be faced by the prospective log home owner. In future months we will deal in detail with each point in the outline. Perhaps the presentation will be "fragmented" but the subject is huge.

So, here we go. Please remember, there is plenty of room here for differing thoughts and opinions.

1. The first step is, in my opinion, not debatable, i.e., find out how much house you can afford. In other words, visit a lending institution and get qualified for a loan. This is a free service.

Why is this first step so important? If you do not know accurately how much house you can afford you will waste a lot of time and eventually end up highly frustrated.

Since you planned ahead and have been qualified for your loan, you are now confident you can afford the home of your dreams.

The next few steps may take place in a different order or even simultaneously.

2. Now it is time to select a log home style and floor plan, keeping in mind the cost of a lot (assuming you have not yet purchased a lot). Perhaps the best way to develop an acceptable floor plan is to find one that is close to what you have in mind. Mark up the plan and take to your local builder for a "ball park" cost estimate.

3. If you have not done so, it is time to price lots in your area. Totaling the lot cost and the builder's estimate, you now know about where you stand financially.

4. If you are a typical log home buyer (or perhaps a typical human being) the combined cost of the house and lot probably exceeds your budget. Now it is back to floor plan to look for options for reducing your cost. For a discussion on this subject, refer to our November 1999 newsletter.

5. After making changes to the floor plan and obtaining a revised cost estimate from the builder, prepare the construction drawings.

6. Another decision to be made (and a real opportunity to reduce costs) is, "How will you proceed with the construction?" Your choices are:

Do it yourself with the help of family and friends.
Assume the role of the general contractor and save about 20% of the cost of a turn key job.
Seek bids from general contractors and pay for a turn key job.

We rarely suggest that a log home buyer take on the construction project as a family affair. The job is simply too large and complex for most of us. Turn key construction is the easy way out but the most expensive. Today, many log home buyers elect the be-your-own-contractor option.

We will only explore the do-it-yourself option (in future newsletters) if readers press for it.

We will not spend time on turn key construction because that is rather straight forward.

That leaves us with the be-your-own-contractor option and, since so many buyers take this route, we will assume you have also; therefore, we will focus our attention here in future newsletters. Financing is available for this option.

7. Now, we need to back up a bit and look at lot selection. If sewer is not
available, by all means, do not purchase the lot unless the health permit
has been issued or is guaranteed. Next, you should consider the features of
the home and how well the lot is suited for that home. For example: is the
lot wide enough, will the lot accommodate a walk out basement, how long will
the driveway be, will it be necessary to pump to the drain field (add
$1,800), etc. Of course, these are considerations whether you are building a
log home or a stick built home.

8. At this stage you have elected the be-your-own-contractor option and
decided on a lot and house plan. Now we recommend that you contract with an
experienced log builder to construct the weather tight home.

9. Take your house plans to the local building code authorities and apply for
your building permit.

10. Once the building permit is issued, close on your construction and
permanent loan.

11. Begin construction of your driveway and foundation.

12. Schedule the log builders to start as soon as the foundation is in place.

13. Schedule the log kit delivery once subfloor is in place.

From this point forward, it is necessary to stay ahead of the contractors. Decisions must be made far enough in advance for deliveries to be made when needed and for sub-contractors to start work promptly. Typically, financial institutions grant a construction loan for up to six months. If construction takes longer, additional fees are expected.

-----------------------------------------

Well, like I said, the subject is huge. Look for more in future newsletters. As always, your comments/thoughts are solicited and welcomed.

Software willing, we will see you next month! SANDY HELMS

Top of Page

February 2000

WEB SITE ACTIVITIES IN JANUARY

- We indicated last month that weather tight materials lists would be available by credit card this month for $24.50 each. Unfortunately, credit card service is not available at a reasonable cost. However, you may still purchase a list of materials needed to complete any B and H model to the weather tight stage. Send us an email indicating which model you are interested in. We will let you know if the list is immediately available. If it is not available, we will prepare the list and contact you when it is ready. The good news - since we do not have to pay for credit card service, the cost is reduced to $19.50. You may download free examples of the materials list at Lists of Weathertight Materials for B and H Cedar Log Homes' Standard Models. - A new contemporary floor plan, "The High Country," has been added at log-home-plans-links.htm. This model uses a manufactured truss roof system which significantly reduces the cost of the finished home.

*************************************

Our surfers' most popular log home book: Log Homes Made Easy - Contracting and Building Your Own Log Home. Click >> for information or to order Log Homes Made Easy from Amazon.com.

**************************************

B and H CEDAR LOG HOMES' TIPS and TRICKS - FEBRUARY 2000

SUBJECT: HOW MUCH DOES A LOG HOME COST?

This issue will probably generate more email than all previous issues combined because there is not a simple answer to this question. However, this is usually the log home shopper's first question - and rightfully so.

To begin, lets all understand that log homes do not qualify as low cost housing. Log homes are quality homes that compare in cost with brick homes. Most "loggies" understand this today, but there are still a few around looking for 2,500 square feet for $75,000.

First a few caveats:
- The costs that follow are NOT firm or hard numbers. Actual costs are dependant on such things as the local and national economy, your labor market and upgrades selected (hard wood floors, masonry fire places, etc.).
- The following costs apply to log homes built using "typical" manufactured log home kits. The costs apply to neither homes constructed with the very expensive hand scribed kits nor homes constructed with logs harvested on-site by the homeowner.
- None of the numbers below include the building lot.

At B and H, we contend the first question to ask is, "How much will it cost me to build this log home turn key." [Turn key construction means that a builder visits your lot and sits down with you and your plans. He will ask questions until he is satisfied that he understands exactly how you want your home constructed and what features you want in the house. If you accept his bid, he gets the job. When the house is finished, he gives you the keys. You call a moving van, insert the key in the lock, "turn the key" and move in. Yes, this is an over simplification.]

-- TURNKEY CONSTRUCTION FOR A HOME WITH EXPOSED BEAMS AND RAFTERS THROUGHOUT THE HOME SHOULD COST ABOUT $100 - $110 PER SQUARE FOOT. [Cost estimate as of 12/05: $110 - $130.]
TURNKEY CONSTRUCTION FOR A RANCH STYLE (ONE LEVEL) LOG HOME SHOULD COST IN THE $90 - $100 PER SQUARE FOOT RANGE. [Cost estimate as of 12/05: $100 - $120.]

So how can you save money? Act as the general contractor but use an experienced log builder to put the house under roof.

-- ACT AS YOUR OWN GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND SAVE ABOUT 20%.

Save even more money by using manufactured roof trusses. B and H models The Woodland, The High Country, and others use roof trusses.

-- USE ROOF TRUSSES AND SAVE ABOUT $10 PER SQUARE FOOT.

Experienced log builders are readily available to build your home to the weather tight stage. These crews start with the foundation in place and finish the job with black paper on the roof and windows and exterior doors installed.

-- STARTING WITH THE FOUNDATION IN PLACE, A COMPLETED WEATHER TIGHT HOME WITH EXPOSED BEAMS and RAFTERS SHOULD COST $35 - $40 PER SQUARE FOOT, INCLUDING THE KIT, LABOR AND CONVENTIONAL BUILDING MATERIALS.

-- LABOR COST FOR THIS HOME SHOULD BE IN THE RANGE OF $12 - $14 PER SQUARE FOOT.

After giving these figures to a prospective log homeowner, we usually get a few more questions - such as:

1. Does this include hardwood floors in the great room?
2. Does this include stone on the foundation?
3. Does this include a full masonry fireplace and chimney?
4. Does this include a basement?
5. Does this include Kohler bath fixtures and a JennAir stove?
6. Does this include landscaping?

And our answer to any one question, "Maybe." Our answer to any two questions, "Probably not."

We hope this information is helpful. We would love to hear from anyone willing to share his or her experience.

As always, your comments and suggestions are both welcomed and encouraged.

God Bless!

Sandy Helms

Top of Page

SITE MENU

Back to B and H CEDAR LOG HOMES home page.
EXTERIOR FINISHES AND STAINS
[ Q and A ] [CONTACT US [ LOG HOME KITS PRICES ] [ LOG HOME PLANS ]
[ LOG HOMES CONSTRUCTION DETAILS ] [ LOG HOME PHOTOS and PICTURES ]
[ LOG HOME BUILDERS - A DIRECTORY ] [ ORDER DRAWINGS, MANUALS, etc ] [ ROOF TRUSSES ]
[ LOG HOME SIDING, PANELING, PORCH and DECK RAILINGS ] [ LOG HOMES PRODUCTS and SERVICES ]
[ DOWNLOAD OUR FREE BROCHURE ] [ Log homes for sale in the USA and Canada ] [ LOG HOMES CONSTRUCTION MANUAL ]
[ ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF LOG HOMES ] [ LOG CABIN NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES 1 LOG CABIN NEWSLETTERS 2, LOG CABIN NEWSLETTERS 3
LOG NEWSLETTERS 4 ] [ ITS THE SMALL STUFF ][ SANDY'S JOY INTERIOR PHOTOS ]
[LOG HOME DESIGN and PREPARATION OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS ] [ LOG HOME GROUPS, BLOGS, JOURNALS and ARTICLES ]
[LOG WINDOWS ]
[REAL ESTATE AGENTS] [LOG CABINS FOR RENT ][ SANDY'S JOY INTERIOR PHOTOS ] [ LOG HOME FINANCING ]
[ MODEL LOG HOMES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ] [ LOG HOMES and LOG CABINS FOR SALE ] [ LOG KITCHENS ]
[ LOG GREAT ROOMS ] [ LOG HOME FURNITURE KITS ][ LOG CABIN BEDROOMS ] [ OUR LOG HOME SITE MAP ]
[ FOLLOW THE STEP-BY-STEP CONSTRUCTION OF THIS LOG HOME ] [INFRARED PHOTOS]
[ WHERE DO I START? ] [ LOG HOME BOOKS, MAGAZINES ]
PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PAGE 13
HIGH COUNTRY II INTERIORS
[ FINANCING ]

B and H CEDAR LOG HOMES, L.L.C.
"Life-Styles in Solid Cedar"
65 Nottingham Dr. - Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406
------------
Phone: 540-752-4106 - E-Mail: info@cedar-log-homes.com