Thousands of people dream of building a log home every year. Is it time to make your plans and get underway? The excitement of owning a new home, especially a log home, is hard to contain. Dreams of its rustic charm and relaxing atmosphere are a joy to contemplate.

It is much easier, faster, and more economical to construct a home with log siding than with full logs. You end up with the full log look without the full log price and maintenance issues. It is also easier to locate reliable contractors to do the work. The basic steps to follow include:

  • Draw up the plans
  • Select a general contractor
  • Generate an overall budget
  • Purchase and prep the lot
  • Order log home building materials
  • Complete the interior

Determine the best time of the year to begin construction and complete your home before winter sets in.

Draw Up the Plans for Your Log Home

It doesn’t matter where you find the ideal plans for your log home. Just make sure they are the right ones for you. Most homeowners find ideas from these sources:

  • A home they have visited
  • Stock plans found online
  • Custom plans drawn by an architect
  • Ideas from home builders
  • Log home magazines

Select plans that meet local building codes so inspectors will approve them. Contractors also want to know the plans meet building regulations or they will not take on the job. Add the cost of plans into your budget and any related fees. The next step is selecting a general contractor who will in turn hire subcontractors.

Select a General Contractor

You may already have a general contractor in mind but in case you don’t, get bids from three to make your selection. One of your criteria should be experience installing log siding, exterior corners, and trim. The general contractor will hire the necessary subcontractors for related work, including:

  • Lot grading, utility placements, landscaping
  • Foundation and footers
  • Framing, roofing, and insulation
  • Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC
  • Flooring, walls, and ceilings
  • Finishing the exterior and interior

 Contractors should provide references that include clients for whom they recently completed projects. Take note of their communication styles and check their availability. Make sure the builder is licensed and insured and meet their team and subcontractors. Pick the one with the best reputation and price.

Purchase and Prep the Lot

If you have not yet purchased a lot, you may want to work with your contractor to compare the pros and cons of the available ones. Its location and the condition of the neighborhood are major considerations. Homeowners typically consider these factors to make the best selection:

  • Ask the land seller a lot of questions
  • Check with the local building and planning department
  • Determine if the lot drains well
  • Availability and typical cost of utilities
  • Have the lot surveyed properly
  • Placement of the house on the lot

BuildingAdvisor.com provides a lot of helpful advice. The contractor will find someone to level and/or grade the lot to your specifications and pour the footers and foundation.

It is much easier, faster, and economical to construct a home with log siding than with full logs. You end up with the full log look without the full log price and maintenance issues.

Order Log Home Building Materials

You need to inform the general contractor that you will order the log siding, corner system, and trims. Put this into the contract and you will save a lot of money. The contractor will understand because the log siding is attached directly to the wall framing with simple tools. The decisions you will need to make include:

  • Profile or style of log siding
  • Type of log corner system
  • Sizes of exterior log trim
  • Types of interior trims
  • Quantities of all wood products
  • Quantity of galvanized screws

You will also need to order stain products and clear coat sealants. Your supplier will assist with estimating all the materials needed for the job.

Complete the Log Home Interior

Once the house is under roof and the exterior siding installed, the wiring, plumbing, HVAC work, and insulation will be completed. The interior trim and siding come next followed by installing the flooring. 

Your contractor will make arrangements for staining and finishing the walls, installing the ceilings, flooring, light fixtures, and other related work. Add the appliances, furniture, and other amenities, and you will be ready to move into your amazing new log home!

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