| Log home kits are generally defined as a materials | | | | package typically contains all the material necessary |
| package that has been pre-cut and prepared to give | | | | to erect a weather-tight shell that allows a new |
| you all the necessary logs and materials to enable | | | | home-owner to seal the home off from the |
| you to build a defined amount of your log home. | | | | elements and continue working on the interior at |
| Unfortunately, there is no standard for defining the | | | | whatever pace or budget that suits them best. Like |
| various levels of completeness among log home | | | | the LTP, the WST kit includes all the exterior logs |
| manufacturers. This oftentimes makes comparing the | | | | and timer to frame the house. Also included in most |
| kits from manufacturer to manufacturer a difficult | | | | WTS kits are the windows and exterior doors |
| process. The process becomes even more | | | | (including bucks and trim), roofing materials, interior |
| complicated because the differences in type and | | | | framing materials (2X4 / 2X6), second story floor |
| quality of materials vary from manufacturer to | | | | joists and sub-flooring (as applicable) and all porch |
| manufacturer. | | | | decking material. Sealant/caulking tape, lag bolts, |
| For example, let's say you have kit materials lists | | | | splines, nails, screws, nuts, bolts and washers are also |
| from two different manufacturers that are identical | | | | included. A WTS package typically gets builders to |
| down to the number of screws. One manufacturer's | | | | 70% completion. Finished flooring, interior walls and |
| kit cost is 20% less than the other's. At face value it | | | | appliances are not included. |
| would seem the less expensive package is the better | | | | Turn-Key Packages (TKP) are typically more |
| deal. But this is not necessarily the case, particularly if | | | | expensive, but they include everything you will need |
| the lower-priced kit is comprised of green pine log | | | | to build your new log home so that you just turn the |
| and low-quality single pane windows and the other kit | | | | key and move into your new home. A TKP offers |
| is made up of kiln-dried cedar logs and top of the line | | | | some advantages: by sourcing all the materials from a |
| dual-pane windows with a 25-year warranty. | | | | single supplier, most buyers can save money |
| However, as a general rule of thumb, most log home | | | | compared to buying smaller quantities of materials |
| manufacturers offer some variation of three | | | | from several different vendors, plus there are fewer |
| packages: log and timber shell, weather-tight shell and | | | | invoices and payments to manage. If there happens |
| a complete turn-key materials package. | | | | to be a problem with any of the materials, supplies or |
| The Log & Timber Package (LTP) is best suited | | | | appliances, you have one point of contact to call to |
| for developers, builders and/or general contractors | | | | get things resolved. Because of the volume of kits |
| who have experience building log homes and also | | | | produced, some of the larger log home |
| have access to wholesale building materials. LTPs | | | | manufacturing companies, like Cedar Knoll Log Homes, |
| typically include the precut, fitted and numbered logs | | | | get wholesale pricing on non-log materials and pass |
| for the exterior walls and timber for joists, beams, | | | | that savings on to their customers. |
| posts and trusses (sealant/caulking tape, lag bolts, | | | | At the end of the day, it really comes down to |
| splines, nails, screws, nuts, bolts and washers are | | | | personal preference and budgetary constraints. The |
| included). Windows, doors, flooring, interior studding, | | | | best advice I can offer is to work with a log home |
| sheetrock/drywall, moldings, roof decking, roofing or | | | | company that makes you feel at ease and |
| other finished materials are not included. When | | | | comfortable; one that is willing to work with you to |
| purchasing a LTP, understand that the total cost of | | | | give you what you want, not one that tries hard to |
| materials can be more than double the LTP kit cost, | | | | push on you what they want to sell because it is the |
| so plan accordingly. | | | | most profitable (for them). Lastly, while I still believe |
| The Weather-Tight Shell Package (WTS) is the most | | | | that a handshake means a deal, get everything in |
| popular for log home enthusiasts who are building | | | | writing: a signed contract by both parties protects |
| their first log home. As its name suggest, this | | | | everyone. |