With all the development going on around us – modern house designs, glass, metal, and brick architecture among others, it just gets to a point where it all gets too much. At this point, we begin to crave more intimacy with nature. We begin to miss the sound of birds chirping, the light breeze, and of course the clean air.
Given all of the above, it’s little wonder that more people are beginning to consider having getaway spots that are far from the noisy cities and of course, closer to Mother Nature. A great way of achieving this is with log homes. You can learn all about them here: https://www.newhomesource.com/.
Building Your Log Home
As you may have already suspected, building your first log home may not be a stroll in the park. Not that there is any kind of building that’s a walk in the park. But that said, there are a few other issues you will need to note and consider that may not apply when you’re building a regular house in the city.
So, let’s begin with the factors you need to consider when you decide to have a log house built. We’ll focus on the factors unique to this type of building project.
Location
This is probably the first factor that you need to consider. It’s important for several reasons one of which is that log houses will often be found in remote locations and not in the heart of our modern cities. The location must be perfect for the structure.
To put things in proper perspective, we’ll list some of the variables that will fall under your consideration points for this factor:
- Accessibility – This should be pretty obvious because it can affect your access to utilities and even the cost of building. You should therefore take this point seriously.
- Climate – The climate of the location you choose will have a major impact on your building design and strategies. For example, if you build in a cold climate, you must prioritize insulation.
- Topography – While you can build on any type of topography, a level one will be easier and cheaper. If however, you choose to build on an undulating topography, understand that it will place a lot more demand on your purse. You will also need to be precise with the foundation and process to ensure structural integrity.
- Natural Hazards – Some locations are prone to certain natural hazards like flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, etc. You need to be sure that your location is not prone to any of these or that your building design is well-fortified against them.
- Regulations – You will also have to consider the local regulations and be sure that it’s something you will be able or willing to abide by. It’s important to avoid any issues with local authorities.
- Development Prospects – As the population increases, development is expected to continue to spread. You need to factor this into your decision-making process when choosing your location.
Design and Layout
This is something that you will need to discuss with your builder. The fact that you are reading this already suggests that you may not already have the expertise to handle such a project. Working with log home builders should be your best option. With the right professional help, you can decide on the design and layout that is best for you.
Cost
Once you’re done with the design and layout, you can begin to get an idea of what this project will cost you. You certainly do not want to get started with a project like this without having your cost projections all locked down. Your builder should be able to help you with this.
Foundation
This is another important factor that will require professional assistance. You can ask your builder about the options available to you so you can make an informed decision. Of course, you should defer to your builder’s professional input.
Log Selection
While these factors may not be stuff that you can make too much sense of, knowing about them will help you ask the right questions. To help you further expand your knowledge, we’ll quickly list a few things that are important when doing your log selection:
- Species
- Log Quality
- Level of Dryness
- Size
- Shape
- Treatment
- Sourcing
- Cost
A professional builder should guide you adequately on this and other related matters like construction methods etc. Now that we’ve covered a few of these points, let’s conclude by briefly discussing how to choose the right builder.
You can look at a simple guide on how to build a log house here.
Choosing a Suitable Builder
Now, this is at the core of this article. How your log home will turn out will be determined by how you go about building it. You are more assured of a satisfactory outcome when you work with the right builder.
To ensure you choose the right builder for your building project, the following steps should help:
Ask for Referrals
The best place to start is always to ask your friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. If you have someone who has completed a similar project, they can recommend their builder, making the process easier for you.
Check Online
If you do not have much luck with your family, friends, and colleagues, then your next stop would be an online search. You can search for a local one; that is, search for a builder within a given location. Having a builder who is located in the general area where your intended log house will be located can be a plus.
When you check online, be sure to look at the reviews and feedback from previous clients. This will always give you an idea of which builder you should go with. You should of course make your final decision after you’ve spoken to them.
Conclusion
Log homes can be great getaway spots and they can also be great homes. They are even a lot lovelier when they are handcrafted by professionals. In this short article, we’ve provided you with a quick guide to get you started. Use the information you’ve just received to start the journey towards owning your own log home.
