Saving Money When Designing And Building Your Dream Log Home
Consider log home design options:
You have a wide variety of log home design options to consider.
At the top is a handcrafted log home or a timber frame log home. From there youcan go with a milled log home and even a conventionally framed home with logsiding and log accents for those on tighter budgets.
The savings start with the design of your log home. - The best way to beginyour design is to find a floor plan that is close to what you are looking for,mark it with your changes and send it to one or more log home companies of yourchoice. Most log home companies will gladly advise you on your custom log homedesign, where to save money, and then quote a kit price. Don't be reluctant tobegin a design with your unique requirements. Rarely (and I do mean rarely)does a company ship the same log home kit twice. If you are having difficultyfinding a plan that fits your life style, go to a search engine (e.g., www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, etc.) and search on “log home plans.” You will find many loghome companies listed; most of which have extensive libraries of standard floorplans. Another option would be to search on “house plans” where you will find amind boggling number of companies that sell conventional house plans, includinga few also offering log home plans. Remember, most log home companies willgladly convert a conventional house plan to a log home plan. Remember, the morecorners in the foundation, the more complex the roof system, the more windowscalled for, the more exposed rafters called for (as opposed to locallymanufactured roof trusses), the more the home will cost.
Do the log home labor yourself. - This is the opportunity for thegreatest saving. Of course, most of us work full time at other jobs and do nothave the time for such an undertaking. However, if your heart is set onresearching this option, visit any of the online book sellers, search on “loghomes” and order one or more books that focus on the construction of log homes.But perhaps the wisest choice would be to contact a nearby log builder andnegotiate an hourly rate for consultation or have them give you a proposal tobe a construction manager for you for a fixed fee or percentage on the costs.This method allows any savings to be passed back to you. It is best to spendtime and money up front to get the job done right, rather than deal withproblems later that never seem to go away.
Act as your own builder. - This is your option for the second greatestsaving. Many log home buyers decide to be their own general contractor.However, be aware, this choice is not without its headaches. That is why yousave 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 thewrong materials will be delivered; the weather is unpredictable; subcontractorsand suppliers may take advantage of your inexperience. And the list goes on.Regardless of the pitfalls and stress, acting as your own general contractorwill still save you about 15% - and that is big bucks. If you elect thisoption, again visit online book sellers, search on “log homes” and purchase oneor more books that deal with log home construction. Contracting with anexperienced builder to serve as an advisor or construction manager is highlyrecommended.
Shop for financing the same as you shop for building materials, appliances,etc. – If there is no local lender experienced in the financing of log homes,go to the search engines and search on “log home loans” or “log homemortgages.” Lenders will not charge you when you apply for a loan. Fileapplications with two or more lenders and then select the best deal. Sometimesit’s good to look at a national log home lender with log home experience.
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, andthen, will it be necessary to pump to the drain field? Will it be necessary tocross a creek? How much grading will be involved? Is tree and stump removalgoing to be a problem? Will there be a rock problem when the foundation isexcavated? In other words, a "cheap" lot can quickly become anexpensive lot. If you are having difficulty finding a lot, contact a local realestate agent. Give the realtor your lot selection criteria (price range,location, size, etc.) and tell him/her to search the Multiple Listing Servicedata base. There is no charge for this service. The true price of the lotshould include all those things necessary to have it ready to build onincluding driveway, sewer, water, & power systems on-site.
Select your log home builders with caution. - When talking to buildersask for references and visit log homes he/she has built and talk to the homeowners.
Select carpet as your floor covering rather than hardwood floors. - Yes,hardwood floors are a "natural" in log homes. But we are looking foropportunities to save money. Perhaps you can compromise. Put hardwood in thegreat room and carpet elsewhere. Remember, at a later date (after you havereceived a job promotion or two) you can always replace carpet with hardwood.
Use Cultural Stone for wall accents and fireplaces attached to plywood andstuds in lieu of a full masonry or stone. - Don't tell your friends. It'simpossible to see the low cost plywood and studs thru the cultural stone. RealStone also weighs a lot and can require additional structural support. Thisdecision can save you a lot of money
Consider an efficient wood stove over an inefficient and more expensivefireplace. - Select black flue pipe instead of a masonry chimney. The blackflue pipe looks great in a log home.
Build your log home on a crawl space rather than a basement. - Again, weare looking for opportunities to save money. Sure, a basement is cheap floorspace and many buyers opt for the extra storage, shop and/or recreation roomspace; never-the-less, eliminating the basement will save $15,000 - $30,000 ina typical home.
Have your custom fixed glass manufactured locally. - Yes, your windowsupplier will want to order your fixed glass from the factory. While he/she isgetting a quote from the factory, visit a local glass shop. You may bepleasantly surprised. Locally manufactured fixed glass windows are availablewith double glass and/or tinted glass.
Select your windows and doors with care. - This is a major opportunity forsavings. Compare the quality and cost of several manufacturers before making adecision. If you expect to have a large number of windows and exterior doors,ask the suppliers if you qualify for a truck load discount.
Select your plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures and kitchen cabinets withcare. - These are also major opportunities for controlling your costs.
Start shopping early. - Whether you hire a builder to do a "turnkey" job or act as the general contractor, you can save money onindividual 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 toshop 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.
Best wishes as you embark on an exciting journey.
Check out our Log Homes, Log Cabins, Luxury Log Homes, new log floor plans,client photo galleries, new articles, and videos at http://www.avalonloghomes.com/
You need to be a member of REO Pro Network to add comments!
Comments