Tips for log home building
People have been building log homes ever since, well, forever. Log homes are often associated with pioneers and frontier building in the United States, but log homes really have not gone out of style. People choose to build cabins in the mountains out of logs, and many people choose to build their homes out of logs because they love the style and the idea of simpler living that is often associated with log home style. Before you decide to build a log home, though, whether it is for a vacation home or your primary residence, there are a number of tips that you need to take into consideration before you begin your log home construction.
Tips for building your log home
1. Buy your land first
Before you begin building your log home, or even choose a design for your log home or start talking to contractors and architects about your log home, you need to purchase your land. The land that you build is going to determine the style of log home that you build, the size of your log home, and other elements all the way down to your utilities and where your water pipes are going to be. So before you begin thinking about style or placement, purchase the land upon which you are going to build your log home.
2. Come up with a realistic idea of the price of your log home
Before you sign on any dotted line, you need to come up with a basic-and realistic idea-of how much your log home is going to cost. Many people purchase log home kits and assume that the price of the kit will be the final price of their log home project, only to be incredibly surprised by what their final price ends up being. And that final price often ends up being much more than the builder can afford. So talk to builders, talk to contractors, and talk to other homeowners who have built log homes. Ask for the actual cost of building a log home in your area, instead of relying on only the price of the log home kit. If you are not planning on purchasing a log home kit, and instead you want to hire an architect to design your log home, then you need to collect pictures of other homes that you like, including pictures of bathrooms, bedrooms, entry ways, and more.
3. Check references before purchasing anything
Before you purchase a log home kit, decide upon a contracter, or hire an architect, you need to check your references. Begin by checking to see if the log home manufacturer is a member of a certification and accreditation organization such as the Log Homes Council. In order to join this type of organization, the log home manufacturer needs to agree that they will have a comprehensive instruction manual, and will stick with certain standards of log grading. Also ask your architect or contractor for references and call up former customers to ask their opinion. Finally, make sure that you check with your local and state Better Business Bureau in order to ensure that no serious complaints have been filed against the particular contractor or architect.
4. Take care of your financing before you start building
Even if you think that you have enough money, if there is any possibility of a question, then you need to get a constructino loan before you begin construction. The vast majority of lenders will refuse to give construction loans for projects that are already started. Ensure that you understand all terms of purchase and all contracts. Look at warranty policies and refund policies. Don't rush into anything-cover all of the details, ensure that the plan you come up with is the one you want, and then get financing before you begin construction.
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Tags: tips for log homes how to build a log home log home building
