| Choosing your log home building site can be a lot of | | | | that this will likely cause flooding problems with this |
| fun but is extremely important in many ways. This is | | | | scenario. Stick with a (3) sided walkout basement |
| where you will spend a lot of quality time enjoying | | | | with the drainage design above and you will avoid |
| the comfort of the Log Home lifestyle you dreamed | | | | most of these problems. |
| of. You will want to avoid unnecessary added costs | | | | Spending a bit more to purchase land that has a |
| that a poor choice in building sites can add to your | | | | building site that will require less "dirt work" and has |
| bottom line. Many will look for a lot or acreage and | | | | less challenges with drainage issues, erosion, and |
| then walk their potential future home until they find a | | | | Septic, will save you potentially thousands in the long |
| spot that "just feels right". OK... Many of us have | | | | run. |
| made that soul connection with our "little piece of | | | | What are your pre-development costs? |
| heaven" as well. But... you may have not considered | | | | These costs refer to what it will take to get utilities |
| some very important factors in avoiding extra costs. | | | | installed, driveway or access road built, well and |
| Big Costs! | | | | septic installation costs, and excavation costs for a |
| Even if you plan to live there forever... You will want | | | | foundation, etc. All these costs can vary so much |
| to choose the best building site for your Log Home | | | | that you will want to do some additional homework |
| or cabin for many reasons. The old saying: | | | | before committing to a home site purchase. Let me |
| location...location...location, is very relevant in any real | | | | explain: If your proposed building site has solid rock as |
| estate market. So carefully learning everything you | | | | I have seen, you may need to blast just to get deep |
| can about the general area, what it's long term | | | | enough for a basement if you want one. This can be |
| economic development plan is, what zoning changes | | | | very expensive. |
| may effect your property values, and what the | | | | Also you may need to get a perk test done to |
| expected increase in home equity values will be in | | | | determine what kind of septic system will be |
| coming years, are just a few of the most important | | | | required. You can spend the typical 2500.00 - 3500.00 |
| factors when choosing the right building site for your | | | | on a normal septic system, or if your site is not |
| new custom log home or cabin. You will also want to | | | | suitable for that, it may require another type of |
| consider excavation costs, drainage, driveway | | | | system and those costs can reach $15,000.00 easily. |
| access, Electric power supply, and energy effiency as | | | | Just be cautious and get written documentation from |
| well. It is widely accepted that a southwest exposure | | | | your realtor on these issues. |
| to the side of your home with the most windows is | | | | Water Well costs can vary also if you need to drill |
| best. This may not always be possible but it will result | | | | very deep to find water. The water tables in some |
| in added savings each year in heating and cooling | | | | areas of our country are getting lower and lower. If |
| costs. The difference in costs savings can range | | | | you are in a low area you may need to go 150 -200 |
| from 350.00 to 1500.00 per year. | | | | ft. to get good water. If you are on a mountain or |
| If you plan to build on a basement you will want to | | | | higher elevations, you may need to drill from 350 - |
| carefully consider good drainage, water tables, septic | | | | 450 ft. or more to get good water. All these things |
| requirements, restrictions, Trends, etc. If you are | | | | need to be qualified as it relates to the asking price |
| considering a "walk-out" Basement site, you will need | | | | of the home site you are considering for purchase. In |
| to consider installing an 18"- 24" wide drainage buffer | | | | short... Do your Homework! |
| or "French Drain" to insure that any water will have a | | | | Once you have these issues behind you, and you |
| way to be carried away from your basement walls. | | | | have purchased your home site, you can choose the |
| Your realtor should provide this information to you | | | | right floor plan that properly fits your building site. |
| upon request. DO NOT attempt to pour a basement | | | | Here you can explore more on log cabin building and |
| in a hole with (4) sides (or a subterranean basement). | | | | other Log Home Basics. |
| It has been the experience of most homeowners | | | | |