| The above question is asked by most people before | | | | To get an idea if you can afford a log home, you |
| any discussion ensues about log homes in general. | | | | need to check building costs in the area in which you |
| The above question cannot be answered unless | | | | plan to build. If nice, custom homes are being built in |
| many questions are asked of the prospective home | | | | your area for $125 per sq. ft. then you can use this |
| buyer. As an example, the above question is similar | | | | as a guide. However, if this seems feasible, then start |
| to one asked, How much does a car cost? | | | | shopping for a log package and a builder. A local |
| A basic consideration of home cost is what part of | | | | builder can give you some idea what building costs |
| the United States are you planning to build. | | | | are running in the area. In the end, you will have to |
| There can be a great disparity in building costs | | | | bring a completed blueprint to a builder and tell him |
| between these various regions of the country. Costs | | | | exactly what you want for flooring, cabinets, roofing, |
| may be higher in California than in Arkansas due to | | | | etc. He will also have to look at your lot to see if it |
| the fact that living costs may be higher in California | | | | will require more or less work than normal to put in a |
| than in Arkansas. | | | | foundation, septic system, driveway, etc. As a last |
| In some states, there will be greater requirements of | | | | reminder, if the building costs are in the $125 per |
| the builder and more approvals from various state | | | | square foot range, that does not mean that you can |
| and local agencies before a permit can be granted to | | | | the put in a deluxe bathroom, teak floors, imported |
| build the home. | | | | crystal lighting fixtures, etc. Keep your feet on the |
| Some states do not have building codes or stiff | | | | ground when designing your home unless your do not |
| building code requirements or in terms of engineering | | | | have financial constraints. |
| and contractor licensing and thus costs will be lower. | | | | One might hear that a completed log home costs will |
| Building materials can also be higher in some states | | | | run 2 or 3 times the price of the log package. This is |
| and in some areas of individual states than in another | | | | not an accurate way to judge the cost of your |
| location. Thus, where you plan to build is a major | | | | finished log home. For instance, one package may sell |
| consideration when the cost of a log home is | | | | for $30,000 and another of $60,000, but the less |
| analyzed. | | | | expensive package may well have fewer materials |
| Other considerations are: | | | | furnished. Thus you have a range of $90,000 to |
| The type of log home you intend to build. Will it be a | | | | 180,000 for a completed home which are both the |
| precut package, a custom hand-crafted log home or | | | | same size. Components that go into a log home (or |
| random length logs from a local sawmill. The price of | | | | any home for that matter) can vary greatly in price |
| these various components can vary greatly and thus | | | | from the low end to the high end. Which end of the |
| it is a major variable in the cost of building a log | | | | building spectrum that you plan to build will make a |
| home. | | | | big difference in the final cost of the home. |
| Do you intend to ship logs in from another part of | | | | To use a multiplier against the cost of the log |
| the country so that you can get the home and the | | | | package is like getting the price of an automobile by |
| home plan that you desire. Shipping can result in extra | | | | using a factor against the weight of the vehicle. The |
| costs, but should not be prohibitive when one | | | | final, only reliable way to get a finished cost of your |
| considers the total cost of the home. | | | | log home is have a builder(s) go over your prints |
| Do you plan to have a full basement, maybe | | | | after you have them exactly what you want in the |
| completely finished, or are you going to build on a | | | | house as to materials and components. |
| slab or crawl space. There can be a great difference | | | | Finally always have a buffer in your budget of 5 to |
| in these various forms of construction. | | | | 10% to cover price increases or unforeseen |
| People must remember that the logs are just a small | | | | expenses. If you are on a really tight budget, don't |
| portion of the costs that will be entailed when building | | | | just throw caution to the wind and say, lets build it |
| a log home. The type of roofing that is to be used | | | | as it will work out. It might, but if you are wrong you |
| such as exposed beam, conventional 2x rafters, or a | | | | may or the bank may end up with a not quite |
| truss roof can affect the cost of the home. Do you | | | | completed home. |
| plan to use a specialty metal roof or use regular | | | | I have worked with people who what their dream |
| asphalt shingles? | | | | home which is going to be a log home with the best |
| The insides of the log home can run up the cost of | | | | of everything that can be had. They cannot get a |
| the finished home. For instance, a stone fire-place, | | | | loan to cover such a project so they eventually went |
| with hardwood floors, custom cabinets, top of the | | | | to a factory built convention home because it was |
| line bathroom and kitchen fixtures, specialty lighting | | | | less expensive. If they had gone to a more realistic |
| and electrical components, and interior wall finishing. | | | | floor plan with fewer bells and whistles, then they |
| Most people have the misguided belief that once the | | | | could have had a log home that would have fit their |
| house is shelled in, they are near completion. This is | | | | budget. |
| not true! There is a lot of labor and materials that will | | | | Be realistic when setting goals for your hew log |
| go into the interior of the home before it is finished. | | | | home. Don't design something that is completely out |
| It is at this stage that many people opt for the | | | | of your financial range. The belief that log homes are |
| better cabinets, lighting fixtures, carpet, etc. and | | | | a very expensive way to build is just not true. What |
| destroy their budget. One a budget is determined, | | | | happens is that some people put in too many costly |
| stick to it or you will get into a lot of trouble with the | | | | features that runs up the price of the home. |
| funds you have allocated to the project. | | | | |