The Building
Process...
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Choosing the log home
producer is only the beginning in planning for your new log home.
Who is going to build it? How much will it cost? And, where will
you get mortgage and construction financing? These are just some
of the questions that you will need to answer in the process of
making your log home a reality.
The following information is provided as a basic outline of the
steps needed.
Five Major
Considerations in Building a Log Home
- Budget
- Land considerations
- Design - deciding what you need, how it will work and what
it will look like
- Financing - finding both mortgage and construction money
- Construction - you can (a) do it yourself, (b) be your own
general contractor, or (c) hire a GC
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Budget
The first step in basic research is to determine what you can afford,
and the average cost per square foot for custom homes in the region
where you plan to build. Our Barna distributor can provide you with
basic "rule of thumb" guidance, but there's no substitute for
specifics. Since building costs vary, it is wise to consult several
custom home builders - particularly if there are two or three
experienced log builders in your area. That average cost gives you a
guideline as to the size home you can afford.
 There are a number of ways to cut costs, balancing your wish list
with reality. Open floor plans with fewer hallways provide more usable
living space; a simplified design with fewer corners also reduces cost.
Careful consideration of utilities - having bathrooms stacked one above
another, or back-to-back, reduces plumbing costs.
If you already own the land, one creative way to save is to clear the
land yourself, saving rocks, timber, and other natural materials for
landscaping.
Land
Considerations
It is advisable to use a professional Realtor, so that hidden
problems can be uncovered in advance. Further you'll want to ask:
 | Is the land suitable for building?
- Septic permit, percolation or soil evaluation tests, well or
water source
- Ingress and egress; encroachments and easements
- Covenants or restrictions on size, building materials, style,
etc.
- Planned or proposed construction around property
| View, privacy, convenience, location, etc.
| Land should represent 15%-20% of total budget in most cases;
mortgage companies tend to prefer smaller tracts over large acreage
when the land will be financed with the home. |
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