A Turn-key solution for Log Home Construction
Once you’ve decided to build your modern log cabin you’ll have to decide how to build it. Some do-it-yourselfers choose to build it by hand which can be very rewarding. However, it is also time consuming and can require skills some may not be comfortable with. To solve this problem, many people turn to manufactured log cabins. Modern manufacturing techniques make the construction of a log home simple and affordable.
Manufactured log cabins are made from logs that are milled to uniformity. This means that all the logs are produced to an exact specification to meet a specific purpose in the home. Milled logs often require less “special attention” to fit into place which usually means there is less labor involved in assembling manufactured log homes. Since labor is almost always the most expensive part of any construction project, this translates to lower labor costs and a much less expensive log home option. When you search the internet for log home manufactures there are a multitude to choose from.
The first step in this process is to choose a manufacturer. Visit some of the actual manufactured log cabins that have been up for a few years. Brand new homes are often hard to judge–look for ones that have been complete for 1, 3, and 7 years which will give a good indication of the quality of work and just what type of wood ages the way you like.
Then its time to choose your wood. Spruce, white pine, cedar, cypress, and hemlock are all great choices and each has their own character, advantages and drawbacks. When you are choosing logs for your home, don’t take the decision lightly. Appearance is a big factor, but your decision should be based on more than aesthetics and emotions. The wood doesn’t just affect how your home looks–for a manufactured log cabin it IS your home. The secret to finding the best wood is to choose a better builder and you will end up with a great log home. An experienced builder will have the highest quality wood supplies of whatever type you choose.
As far as cost goes, modern techniques make manufactured log homes much more affordable than they were in the past. A cedar kit delivered directly to your site will run around $45,000 for 1500 square feet. From there, it’s up to you whether to build from the kit yourself or hire a constructino crew to build the home. Turn key homes from one of the larger log home builder can start at $235,000 which is certainly more expensive, but it also guarantees that all the headaches and labor of construction fall on someone else’s shoulders.
Of course, if you’re still not sure a log home is for you there are many vacation spots that offer nightly cabin rentals which will give you a feel for modern log cabins construction and styles. Due to their nature, most of these are also going to be manufactured log cabins so they will be especially useful if this is the route you are considering. Most renters will be happy to tell you what company they used for their work.
