| Before constructing your dream log cabin home, | | | | prices are not within your limit, find out from the |
| there are a number of factors to consider. The best | | | | company how you can modify your plan to reduce |
| way to address them is through lots of research. | | | | cost. Your desires must be constrained by cost. |
| This article will summarize the most important factors | | | | Choosing a manufacturer, builder/contractor- Decide |
| to address. | | | | whether you want to be general contractor on one |
| Money- Draw up a budget and determine how much | | | | extreme or only customer on the other. Log home |
| money you will have and/or be able to borrow to | | | | manufacturers can provide log cabin kits or act as |
| purchase the house/property. | | | | general contractor and finish your cabin from soup to |
| Location- Have you bought property yet? This is, in | | | | nuts. Cost is the variable. In any case, choose or |
| my opinion, the number one decision. My wife and I | | | | accept contractors that have long experience building |
| bought property in the Blue Ridge Mountains of | | | | log cabins. Log homes are different. Treat them that |
| Georgia. We had looked at a number of properties | | | | way. Evaluate all your contractors based on customer |
| but this one had gorgeous views and was priced | | | | recommendations. 1. Research, research, research. 2. |
| within our target. I can confidently say that we will | | | | Get personally comfortable with your contractors. 3. |
| enjoy the location for the rest of our lives. I hope | | | | Get references and call or go see customer homes |
| you find the same excitement. I would be happy | | | | Financing- Log homes are different. Look for lenders |
| living in a tent on this property. | | | | experienced with log cabins. You can get construction |
| Home Plan- Log home companies will provide you | | | | financing as well as long term (once completed) |
| with a slew of home plans. However, they rarely are | | | | mortgage loans for log cabins. Keep in mind that |
| built to the specs in their marketing material. Pick out | | | | appraisals are important to lenders. The appraiser will |
| a general layout that you like. Get some ballpark | | | | need comps in your area. The more log cabins in your |
| prices for your modifications to their base plans. If | | | | location, the better. |