Q. I want to build a log home. How do I start?A. Most people have at least a rough idea of what they want in a home. From this elemental beginning, your designer or contractor can assist you and address each area of your design and room layout.
Another very helpful tool is to compile pictures from various magazines that reflecct what you would like to see in your own home. These might include kitchens, fireplaces or window patterns
By working with the home owner and blueprint designer, your contractor will be able to keep your design within your building budget.
A precise, detailed bid can take up to 100 hours to prepare. Some contractors charge for this service unless you have signed an agreement with them to be your log home finishing contractor.
Q. I plan on building a log home. What do I need to know about the general contractor I choose?A. Our many years of experience have led us to the conclusion that there are many highly qualified log and timber builders but not many finish contractors that have the know how to finish a log home after the shell has been delivered. Our own experience has shown us that even the most qualified conventional home builder is on shaky ground when it comes to a log home. Knowledge of the special requirements resulting from settling of logs or the unique joinery used to match dimensional materials to log or timber is often missing.
Problems in job costing such as window installation (a very difficult process in log home building) often results inunecessary cost over-runs. The simplest process such as installing cabinets or installing a staircase is filled with possible pitfalls for conventional builders.
The solution is to have a finish contractor that knows their way around log homes. JT Construction is the company that has the knowledge and is prepared to work directly with the client to produce a log home masterpiece. We believe an investment as large as a home warrants careful planning and guidance. We are here to provide that for you.
Q. What is the difference between a log home builder and a log home finish contractor?A. While they may sound alike, they each handle entirely different areas of the construction process.
A log home builder is a handcrafter or manufacturer that specializes in the assembly of all the log and timber components. The log walls, log roof support system, log porch supports, log staircases, etc. The log home builder is responsible for log selection and the surface preparation of the logs, like hand peeling or milling the logs smooth. In the case of a hand crafted log home, it would first be built in a log assembly yard then trucked and reassembled at the home site. After reassembly, the log home builder will cut and keyway the door and window openings and cut wall slots.
A log home finish contractor is the general contractor of the project. Like all general contractors they provide cost estimates, assist in the design, oversee excavation and are responsible for co-ordination and proper completion of all phases of construction.
A specialist in log home construction management understands the unique difference between conventional construction and the finishing of a log home. Using experience to combine your plans and tastes in design, a team of sub-contractors and craftsmen are selected to meet the specific needs of you custom home.
Q. What questions might I want answered when choosing my log home finish contractor?A. The most important question to ask is whether or not they have ever finished out a log home before. A builder experienced with building one or two log homes would be more valuable than a builder who has built fifty conventional homes, but no log homes.
You should ask for references andtalk to the home owners they have built for, especially owners of custom log homes.
Ask your contractor what methods will be used to allow for the settling factor in such critical areas as interior framed walls, door and window openings and stairways to a loft floor.
Also ask if the builder set up a scheduled maintenance program to periodically adjust settling, check weatherization and other areas affected by movement.
Is your builder aware of the specialized sealants, caulking and memory foam products that are available to weatherize your log home. Does your builder know where to purchase these products?
Q. Are electrical and plumbing needs different in log home construction?A. Yes. The challenge lies in the timing of installation, routing of mechanical components and knowledge of the movement in log homes that may affect the plumbing and wiring.
A log home has fewer electrical routing options than a conventional home. An example of where special attention is needed is where wiring runs parallel to door and window openings. Improper routing of wires can be hazardous should the wiring be pinched by settling logs or pierced by nails or fasteners.
Plumbing too creates the need for your builder to be experienced in dealing with the settling nature of log homes. New plumbing technology incorporates the use of slip joints that allow your home to properly settle without damage to plumbing lines.
Be certain the builder you choose knows the do's and don'ts of log home finishing.
Q. If I build a log home will I be sacrificing energy efficiency?A. Absolutely not. A well built and properly weatherized log home is actually one of the most energy efficient homes you can build. However, keep in mind that there are many styles of log construction.
Regardless how tight the log joinery, if the doors and windows are not properly sealed during installation you will have air infiltration resulting in a drafty home. Quality windows in conjunction with our state-of-the-art weatherization program will provide the most energy efficient window installation available.
Traditional framing that joins the log structure must also be given special attention to insure proper sealing.
To construct a truly energy efficient log home, the builder must be experienced and knowledgeable about materials and techniques for weatherizing log homes.
