| Here are some tips to help you narrow your search | | | | There are a variety of home design software |
| for plans for your new log home. | | | | products available that can make your planning easy |
| Use your old home to help you plan your new home | | | | and fun. Some are very simple and easy to use, |
| One of the ways to help you decide on a plan for | | | | although may not contain features that are specific |
| your new home is to take a look at your present | | | | to log homes. Others are more robust, more |
| home and use it as a reference point for your new | | | | expensive, and more difficult to use. Use Google or |
| plans. Treat your new home plan as an "adjustment" | | | | other Internet search tools to find sources for this |
| to your old home plan. Make a list of the features | | | | type of software. |
| you like and dislike in your current home. Add | | | | Search for standard plans |
| features you don't have now, but would want in | | | | It's possible that there is already a home plan out |
| your new home. | | | | there that closely meets your needs. The Internet is |
| Organize your plan selections | | | | one of best resources. A seach for "log home plans" |
| Start a scrapbook that includes pictures and drawings | | | | will result in a wide selection of plans, primarily from |
| of the styles of log home and features that appeal | | | | log home companies. Log home magazines are |
| to you. Common features will start to appear in | | | | another good source for plans. |
| many of your selections. For example, if your | | | | Modify standard plans |
| scrapbook photos show mostly handcrafted log | | | | Any log home floor plan can be modified to suit your |
| homes, you can concentrate your search on log | | | | needs. You don't have to choose one of the |
| home companies that specialize in handcrafted | | | | standard plans offered by log home companies. You |
| construction. | | | | can use the plan from one company as the basis for |
| Start with a simple plan | | | | creating a plan to be used by another company. Plans |
| Draw a rough layout of individual rooms for your new | | | | for conventional homes can usually be adapted to log |
| home, with the rooms represented only by boxes. | | | | construction. |
| Use the dimensions of your old rooms as a | | | | Your log home company can help |
| reference. Arrange the boxes in the general pattern | | | | Log home companies have in-house designers to help |
| that you would want. Account for hallways, closets, | | | | you create or modify a plan. They use sophisticated |
| and storage spaces. This will give you a good idea of | | | | professional software for this purpose. Be aware that |
| not only your general floor plan, but also your overall | | | | you may have to make a few compromises in your |
| home dimensions. | | | | plans to accommodate certain log construction |
| Use your computer as a design tool | | | | requirements. |