What has stopped you from building a log home? Have other people convinced you it’s just not worth it? Before you give up on the idea, think about the misconceptions some people have about them.
Then there’s disinformation floating around as well as some people that did not take good care of their homes. When they don’t care for them, they blame the problems on the home or its materials, or builders. Has anyone ever told you about the pros of building with pine log siding?
Let’s dispel five common cons or criticisms that exist about log homes and see how you can overcome each of them. It’s not rocket science and you can easily understand the solutions.
- Misconception #1 – Log homes cost too much for me
- Misconception #2 – It is too difficult to find a contractor
- #3 – Utilities are difficult and expensive to install
- #4 – Property taxes and insurance are too expensive
- #5 – Homeowners are not allowed to participate in their construction
Log Homes Do Not Cost Too Much
The reason most people say they cost too much is because they have priced full log homes. This style of home and timber frame homes are expensive for these reasons:
- The structural components, walls, and other materials are costly
- Cost of transporting materials to the construction site is high
- Cranes and crane operators must be paid to put logs in place
- Specialized carpenters are needed for the work
The way to make building a log home affordable – use wood log siding instead of full logs. The process is simple because it is like building a conventional home. Frame it up, put the roof on, and attach the pine or cedar log siding to the wall framing. And, there you have it – a house with the full log look without the full log price!
Log Home Pros: It’s Simple – Not Difficult – to Find a Contractor
Look for a conventional home contractor and you will probably find many. Look for someone to build a full log home and you may have a long wait time to schedule your build. Why is this? It’s because installing tongue and groove wood log siding is relatively fast and easy. Any trained carpenter can understand the process but it takes a different type of craftsman for full logs.
Full log home builders tend to be in demand, and that requires them to take some jobs out of town and out of the state. Since there are fewer of them, use of their specialized labor and equipment tend to be noticeably higher.
“Let’s dispel five common cons or criticisms that exist about log homes and see how you can overcome each of them.”
Utilities Are Straightforward – Not Complicated – to Install
When installing wiring and plumbing in full log homes, you are dealing with solid logs and timbers. Special concessions must be used to lay out the wiring and plumbing schematics and get them placed throughout the house. This process is more time-consuming and expensive.
Installing wiring, plumbing, and HVAC ductwork in log siding homes pretty much follows the standard practice in conventional houses. The wiring and pipes are placed inside the walls before the interior siding goes up. The ducts are placed under the house and up through the floors and/or between the floors in a two-story house.
Log Home Pros: Property Taxes and Insurance Are Affordable
As you may or may not know, property taxes are based on the value of a home. The rates are set by local government authorities and the more expensive the house the more the taxes. Compared to full log homes, log siding home taxes are typically less and in line with more conventional houses.
Homeowner’s insurance rates can be higher for full log homes while less expensive for pine or cedar log siding homes. Tax and insurance costs are based on several variables and can vary depending on the home size, location, and proximity to fire hydrants.
Homeowners Can Participate in Their Construction
Contractors will say homeowners are in their way during the construction of a full log home. It can be dangerous and insurance laws typically prevent owners from being on site during building. Without the opportunity to help with the construction, the cost will naturally be more.
One of the beauties of building with wood log siding is the homeowners’ opportunity to help with the construction. With some basic woodworking skills, the owner can install the siding just about as well as the contractor’s workers.
You have the options of using siding with a smooth, hand-hewn, or pre-finished surface. Work this out with the builder when negotiating the contract and before construction begins.
In general, you can dismiss the typical objections to building a log home or cabin by using pine or cedar log siding. In essence, you construct a conventional home and merely cover it with this amazing and beautiful product – better than synthetic materials.
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