Questions that have been asked, or that you might have--
Why should I order a home from Paramount Log Homes?
At Paramount Log Homes, we pride ourselves in providing a high quality home for a very reasonable price -- the best value in the log home industry. In addition, our experience in the industry, our focus on the customer, and our design flexibility makes Paramount Log Homes your best option.
Are log homes for everyone?
Yes and no. From an affordability and quality of life point of view, in our opinion log homes are more desirable than any other form of construction. From a zoning or “fit” standpoint, there are some limitations. Many housing developments limit the types of houses that can be built in order to maintain consistency, and many other neighborhoods are just not the right fit. By its nature, a log home isn’t a city home; it fits better in the countryside and in the mountains. That setting and lifestyle, and the things associated with it, are some of the draws of log home living.
How energy efficient are log homes?
Log homes are very efficient. If you talk to anyone who has lived in a modern one, they will tell you the same thing. We can’t give you an R value, as logs are not rated in this way, but 8” log walls are much more efficient than drywall and 4” of fiberglass. If you research the subject, you will find that log homes cost up to 30% less to heat/cool than similar sized conventional homes. Many of the efficiencies are dependent upon the quality of construction involved and the techniques used. At Paramount Log Homes, we use a double tongue and groove pattern that offers the best efficiency, along with pegged joints, foam insulation, and notched corners that makes for an almost air tight structure. Energy efficiency is one area that modern construction techniques have helped make a huge improvement over past methods of log construction.
What is the difference between milled logs and peeled logs?
Milled logs are essentially logs that have been processed mechanically. Much like 2X4 lumber is processed through a mill, milled logs are run through a machine that cuts them to exact specifications. Peeled logs are shaped manually by hand with special tools and have a more unique and varied appearance.
What does Paramount Log Homes use -- milled or peeled logs?
Paramount Log Homes has chosen to use milled logs in order to offer a better value to our customers.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of milled logs?
The biggest advantage of milled logs is the cost. Milled logs save money in log prep labor, material costs, finishing, and time to build. With good equipment, 2 people can cut, shape and prepare all of the wood for a large home in one day, saving a huge amount of money in labor costs. Additionally, chinking is not required, saving those costs as well as future upkeep. Time savings, ease of construction, consistency, better fit, energy savings due to the tightness of joints, and the ability to conform to building codes are other advantages offered by a milled product. The main, and only real disadvantage that seems to be an issue with milled logs, is the look; milled logs have smooth surfaces and some people prefer a more rough or hand-shaped look. In addition, some people feel that using machined logs is not in keeping with the spirit of log home construction.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of peeled logs?
The biggest advantage of peeled logs is the very unique and custom feel that they give. Each log is different from all the others, with bumps, knots, bark, and its own shape. A peeled log home, if well done, is truly a work of art. The other advantage is the pride factor, knowing that you own something that is unique. The disadvantages are, first and foremost, the cost. As you can expect, someone has to pay for the time and skill of the builders, and that someone is the consumer. Hand crafted log homes are usually at least twice the price of a milled log home. In addition, peeled log homes take a lot longer to build. Since each log is unique, it has to be shaped to fit the other logs it will be in contact with. Thus, typically these homes are assembled log by log at the production site, then numbered, disassembled, shipped to the building site, and reassembled there. It is not unusual for these homes to take well over a year to build after some months or years on the waiting list. Another disadvantage of peeled log homes is the difficulty in obtaining financing. Often the construction techniques don’t conform to the building codes, and while safe and structurally sound, many institutions won’t provide financing.
What do you recommend for a buyer?
It depends on your budget, preferences, and abilities. If you have a lot of money and time to invest, go with a hand peeled custom builder. Those homes are a one of a kind work of art. If your budget and time are more limited, a milled log home is a great place to live. They are much more affordable and provide all of the benefits of the more expensive homes, less the price tag and some bragging rights. It’s kind of like choosing between a Ferrari and a Honda. Both are great cars -- the more practical option is the Honda, while the Ferrari is more of a trophy.
How do the prices of your log homes compare to conventional construction?
We have found, in the Billings, Montana area, that when we do the actual construction, we are typically either the same price per square foot as conventional construction or a little less. If you were to find a contractor in your area, they could build one of our homes for the same price as a conventional house. The problem is that sometimes builders who don’t have any experience with building log homes don’t want to get away from what they know, so they quote a high price to make it worth their having to learn something new. If you check with a few contractors, you should be able to find one who will give you a fair price on building one for you.
What are the actual costs I should be expecting?
Because prices vary so much from region to region, we are unable give numbers for different areas. In Billings, construction prices are currently running around $150 to $200 per square foot, not including the land. The larger the house, the less the per-square-foot price will be, since the costs for HVAC, wells, kitchens, electric connections, etc. don’t change much with a change in home size.
How are you able to offer such a good value on your homes?
We do our best to build in the most affordable manner possible. We don’t have any middle-men or sales reps who have to make a commission or cover other expenses. By milling our logs, we are able to save a lot in labor charges. We use the best materials for the job. Our logs are ponderosa pine, a nice pretty wood with minimal “checking” problems. Ponderosa is not ideal for all applications, but for building log walls, it is a great, high value option. In addition, most of the remaining construction of the home uses modern technology and conventional techniques, such as engineered trusses and floor joists, which gives the best quality at a reasonable price. Also, log structures go up as fast as other homes because the logs replace the siding, framing, insulation, waterproofing, drywall and finishing found in a conventional home.
How easy is it to obtain financing for a log home?
In recent years the situation has improved greatly. As lending institutions have become more comfortable with the quality of product being offered by log home manufacturers, the quantity and quality of available loans has improved. Many institutions offer the same options and rates for log homes that they do for conventional construction loans. In addition, there are lenders available who specialize in log home construction that offer even more flexibility. One issue to consider is the size of the property that you are building on. For a home loan, many banks value 500 acres the same as 50 acres, which can make financing for large parcels difficult. In a situation like this, a specialty lender may be your best option.
How do log homes compare, as far as value appreciation goes?
Log homes are an excellent investment. We have seen that once built, they appraise for about 10% more than traditional homes with comparable features, even though they can cost the same to build. In addition, because they are unique, they tend to sell faster and appreciate a little more rapidly. While there are no guarantees, a well-built log home should be a safer than average real estate investment.
How much could I save building from a kit?
It all depends on how much experience you have and how much time you can devote to the project. Labor and profit can account for up to 50% of the costs of construction, so there is the potential for saving over $50 per square foot. The trade off is time. If you can’t devote full time to the project, it can drag on a long time, costing you in interest and other costs. In addition, you need to consider the quality of work you can produce versus a professional, and how that can affect the value of your property in the future.
How long does one of your log homes take to construct?
Most of it depends on the skill of the carpenters and log workers. The timeframe for the homes we build is around 40-52 weeks, depending on the size of the home. We did build one small home (1,100 sqft) with a simple floor plan from foundation to move-in in 60 days with an experienced 4 man crew, but that is far from typical. Other homes have taken over 12 months when problems have come up. In general, building with us will probably take a little longer than traditional construction, as there is a limited supply of labor who understand and can build a log home.
What have you seen that works well for your kit buyers?
It depends. If the kit is being purchased for a primary residence, it seems to work best to have the buyer act as the general contractor. This entails finding and hiring the subs and doing limited work, depending on the buyer’s abilities. This seems to be the best combination of money savings, speed of construction, and quality of results. Depending on the amount of work done, a person could save from $20 to $80 thousand dollars on an average sized house with this approach. If the kit being purchased is for use as a vacation home, we have had a number of customers use an extended vacation to get the exterior (walls, roof, doors, and windows) weather tight, and then work on the interior as time permits. This works well since vacation homes are typically a little smaller and simpler, and don’t usually need to be livable as quickly. Doing this can also save a person around half the costs of having one built or buying one already built. In addition to the savings, there is something nice about owning a home you built.
How much experience does a person need to have to be able to build a kit?
Not too much. Some building experience is helpful, but is not required. Confidence, a willingness to learn, and physical strength are probably just as important. You can also typically find subcontractors to do the things you don’t feel confident doing, such as plumbing, electrical work, or roofing. If you’ve got the time to learn, you could do the entire project, from start to finish, and learn a whole lot along the way. We recommend that you check with your city or county on local building codes and permit requirements before you get started on a project. This shouldn’t present any problems, but it is best to have the permits and requirements completed early. Also, some building departments may require that certain things be done by a licensed contractor, so be clear with them on what you are planning to do so that no misunderstandings arise during the building process. For example, in Yellowstone County a licensed electrician is required to do all electrical work for new construction, with an exception for an individual who is building his own home.
Take a look at our Construction Manual, to see what the process involves.
How many people and what tools do I need to complete a kit?
To set the logs and build the roof, a minimum of two strong individuals are needed. A helper is also recommended for these stages. Whether you use a sibling, friend, hired hand or spouse to do this is completely up to you. The same sized crew should be used for completing the roof. For tools, at least 2 heavy duty drills, chain saw, 12-14 lb sledge hammer, basic carpentry tools, pneumatic framing nailer and air compressor, generator if power is unavailable, 4 or 5 heavy duty ratchet straps, chop saw, circular saw, jig saw, stapler, palm sander, and a couple of good carpenter’s hammers should do the job. Some of these tools can be rented, although it may end up being cheaper to buy them.
If I order a kit, how long will it take to receive it?
It depends on the size of the home, how busy we are, and if you have chosen a standard or custom plan. A kit for a small cabin from a standard plan can be delivered in 6-8 weeks. Larger plans and custom plans typically take 6-10 weeks. We don’t typically need to rush things on our end, as site prep, foundation work, sub-floors, utility rough-ins, permits and other issues need to be completed before a project is ready for the logs. We find that most people need at least 4-6 weeks to be ready for the log delivery.
What are your payment requirements for log kits?
To help us keep costs down, we require a 50% down payment before we cut the wood for a kit. The balance is due upon delivery. We accept certified checks, money orders, or bank transfers prior to unloading the product. The initial payment can be a personal check, but log cutting will not begin until the payment has cleared the bank.
What if I change my mind after I order?
If we have not milled your order yet, 50% will be refunded. If your order has been cut we are not able to offer a refund. Once the product has been delivered to the site, you are the owner of it and can dispose of it as you see fit. If the second payment is not made at the time of delivery, the shipment will be returned to our factory and no refund offered. Should satisfactory payment be received after the shipment is returned, no penalty will be charged, but the customer will be responsible for any additional freight costs.
Who pays the freight?
Freight is paid by the consumer and will run approximately $4 per mile from Shepherd, Montana. It will be quoted prior to shipping and is due upon delivery.
Do you have references available?
Yes. If you are serious about buying and would like to talk to some of our previous customers, please contact us and we will provide you with this information. Please only ask if you are serious, as we respect the privacy of our customers and try to keep the impositions on their time limited.
Can I tour one of your homes?
You bet. We use our personal home as a model, and have some other homes in the area that we can show you, and will try to find someone in your area if we have a history there. We recommend that you try and see a variety of homes, log or not, to get a feel for sizes, floor plans, layouts, and other building issues. Most log home owners are proud of their home and are happy to show it off. You might even try knocking on a few doors in your community to see if you can set up a time to view their home. Viewing a variety of builders and models would be beneficial (take a tape measure and notepad with you too).
Where is your factory?
We are located in Shepherd, Montana, which is about 10 miles east of Billings. If you are going to be in the area, please feel free to call ahead so you can stop in, ask us some questions, and take a look at our photo gallery. We have built a large number of homes in the Shepherd area and it would be a valuable learning opportunity. If you would like a tour of the plant, please call ahead to schedule your visit so that we will be ready to show you around.
Do you have offices in other cities or towns?
We currently do not have other facilities. At this point, the costs outweigh the advantages of such a move. We are interested in finding quality builders in the right markets who would like to add a line of log homes to their current building activities. We are not, however, planning on opening sales offices around the country.
How many floor plans do you offer?
We have 18 standard plans that we work with, ranging from 225 sq ft to over 3,900 sq ft. About a third of the homes we build are custom plans, based on the buyer’s ideas and budgets and the property on which they are building.
What are your charges to plan a custom home?
Our charges are quite minimal. Typically, the cost of building a custom home will be more than our standard plans, as they usually end up being bigger, a little fancier, and a little more difficult to build, so labor and material costs increase.
What factors impact the cost of a home?
There are a variety of things that come into play. The first thing is the size. The more square feet, the higher the cost. Plan shapes also affect things -- square homes are the most efficient; the less square it is, the more per square foot it will cost. Additionally, irregular shaped homes cost more; an “L” shape or “U” shape home will require more exterior walls to enclose a specific area than a square or rectangular home will. This will also impact the roof lines, requiring more labor and materials. Options, such as gables, fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, irregular rooflines, balconies, and other aesthetic features, drive up your costs. In addition, your finishing options -- the cabinets, flooring materials, bathrooms, doors and window styles -- all matter.
Price wise, what would be the most efficient house style?
To get the most space for your money, you would want to build a two story square home with a basement and a shed or flat roof. This will cost significantly less than a home of similar size with a bunch of options. Unfortunately, it is also very boring to look at and thus not a very popular style of home.
How much maintenance does a log home require?
A log home does take a little more work than a traditional home, but is easier overall. We recommend resealing the exterior every five years with a quality sealer. Some sealers claim a 7 year life, but we still recommend no more than 5. We also recommend to stain and seal on a 6 to 10 year rotation. This is a little more frequent than you would paint a home, but it keeps it well protected and looking beautiful. With a decent sprayer you should be able to do this in one day. If you brush it on, it will probably take more than two days. Other than that, there are really no other maintenance requirements. One of the nice things about logs is their sturdiness -- no hail damage, no holes in the drywall, and no trouble finding a place to hang a picture. Also, log homes are “timeless,” eliminating the need to update an out-of-style exterior. I've found over time that with a log home you trade less interior maintenance for a little more exterior maintenance.
How safe are log homes?
Log homes are very safe. Structurally, having walls that are 8” of solid wood protects you from a lot. One of our homes was hit by a runaway farm truck a few years ago. The brakes failed at the top of a hill and the truck rolled down, striking the house at an estimated 45-50 miles an hour. Both of the owner’s young daughters were in the area of the house that was struck and received no injury. The insurance company insisted that the house was not salvageable and issued a claim for the home’s full value. The homeowner had us look things over, and after replacing portions of two walls and repositioning and re-anchoring it to the foundation, it was declared safe for occupancy. The investigating police officer said the home should have been destroyed and both children killed. Thankfully, things were much less serious.
Are log homes more susceptible to fire and insects?
No. Despite what you would think, log homes are much better than traditional homes in both areas. From an insect infestation standpoint, all of the wood in the home is visible. It is not hidden behind siding or drywall, so any problems are much easier to spot and treat -- no waiting until structural issues arise to find problems and then dealing with expensive solutions. As far as fire goes, wood will certainly burn, but it takes a lot more to ignite an 8” log than it does to ignite a 2 by 4 in a wall cavity. And, once started, logs burn slower, allowing more time to escape and fight a fire. One risk factor with log homes is simply associated with their location. They are often built in areas that are prone to wildfires; so, from a location standpoint they may carry a little more risk, but not from any factors directly related to log homes.
What advantages would a builder have who worked with your company?
There are a few things we offer a potential builder. The first is a proven system of log home design and construction; we can get them into a market that is difficult to start in, for no cost. The second advantage is the increased profit potential that log homes can offer a builder. This is due to the fact that they can make the same profit per home, but can finish a log home in about 75% of the time of a conventional house. So for every 15 homes they could build before, they can build 20 of ours, increasing their revenue without increasing their costs. Third, after building their first home, we offer builders a 10% discount off of our retail price, further increasing their profit potential. In addition, we can train them in the log home construction process and offer consulting as needed. A nice thing about building our homes is the fact that other than the logs, everything used in their construction can be found in most hardware and building supply stores, so there is no dependency on us for materials, and no exclusive contracts to sign.
Why should I order a home from Paramount Log Homes?
At Paramount Log Homes, we pride ourselves in providing a high quality home for a very reasonable price -- the best value in the log home industry. In addition, our experience in the industry, our focus on the customer, and our design flexibility makes Paramount Log Homes your best option.
Are log homes for everyone?
Yes and no. From an affordability and quality of life point of view, in our opinion log homes are more desirable than any other form of construction. From a zoning or “fit” standpoint, there are some limitations. Many housing developments limit the types of houses that can be built in order to maintain consistency, and many other neighborhoods are just not the right fit. By its nature, a log home isn’t a city home; it fits better in the countryside and in the mountains. That setting and lifestyle, and the things associated with it, are some of the draws of log home living.
How energy efficient are log homes?
Log homes are very efficient. If you talk to anyone who has lived in a modern one, they will tell you the same thing. We can’t give you an R value, as logs are not rated in this way, but 8” log walls are much more efficient than drywall and 4” of fiberglass. If you research the subject, you will find that log homes cost up to 30% less to heat/cool than similar sized conventional homes. Many of the efficiencies are dependent upon the quality of construction involved and the techniques used. At Paramount Log Homes, we use a double tongue and groove pattern that offers the best efficiency, along with pegged joints, foam insulation, and notched corners that makes for an almost air tight structure. Energy efficiency is one area that modern construction techniques have helped make a huge improvement over past methods of log construction.
What is the difference between milled logs and peeled logs?
Milled logs are essentially logs that have been processed mechanically. Much like 2X4 lumber is processed through a mill, milled logs are run through a machine that cuts them to exact specifications. Peeled logs are shaped manually by hand with special tools and have a more unique and varied appearance.
What does Paramount Log Homes use -- milled or peeled logs?
Paramount Log Homes has chosen to use milled logs in order to offer a better value to our customers.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of milled logs?
The biggest advantage of milled logs is the cost. Milled logs save money in log prep labor, material costs, finishing, and time to build. With good equipment, 2 people can cut, shape and prepare all of the wood for a large home in one day, saving a huge amount of money in labor costs. Additionally, chinking is not required, saving those costs as well as future upkeep. Time savings, ease of construction, consistency, better fit, energy savings due to the tightness of joints, and the ability to conform to building codes are other advantages offered by a milled product. The main, and only real disadvantage that seems to be an issue with milled logs, is the look; milled logs have smooth surfaces and some people prefer a more rough or hand-shaped look. In addition, some people feel that using machined logs is not in keeping with the spirit of log home construction.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of peeled logs?
The biggest advantage of peeled logs is the very unique and custom feel that they give. Each log is different from all the others, with bumps, knots, bark, and its own shape. A peeled log home, if well done, is truly a work of art. The other advantage is the pride factor, knowing that you own something that is unique. The disadvantages are, first and foremost, the cost. As you can expect, someone has to pay for the time and skill of the builders, and that someone is the consumer. Hand crafted log homes are usually at least twice the price of a milled log home. In addition, peeled log homes take a lot longer to build. Since each log is unique, it has to be shaped to fit the other logs it will be in contact with. Thus, typically these homes are assembled log by log at the production site, then numbered, disassembled, shipped to the building site, and reassembled there. It is not unusual for these homes to take well over a year to build after some months or years on the waiting list. Another disadvantage of peeled log homes is the difficulty in obtaining financing. Often the construction techniques don’t conform to the building codes, and while safe and structurally sound, many institutions won’t provide financing.
What do you recommend for a buyer?
It depends on your budget, preferences, and abilities. If you have a lot of money and time to invest, go with a hand peeled custom builder. Those homes are a one of a kind work of art. If your budget and time are more limited, a milled log home is a great place to live. They are much more affordable and provide all of the benefits of the more expensive homes, less the price tag and some bragging rights. It’s kind of like choosing between a Ferrari and a Honda. Both are great cars -- the more practical option is the Honda, while the Ferrari is more of a trophy.
How do the prices of your log homes compare to conventional construction?
We have found, in the Billings, Montana area, that when we do the actual construction, we are typically either the same price per square foot as conventional construction or a little less. If you were to find a contractor in your area, they could build one of our homes for the same price as a conventional house. The problem is that sometimes builders who don’t have any experience with building log homes don’t want to get away from what they know, so they quote a high price to make it worth their having to learn something new. If you check with a few contractors, you should be able to find one who will give you a fair price on building one for you.
What are the actual costs I should be expecting?
Because prices vary so much from region to region, we are unable give numbers for different areas. In Billings, construction prices are currently running around $150 to $200 per square foot, not including the land. The larger the house, the less the per-square-foot price will be, since the costs for HVAC, wells, kitchens, electric connections, etc. don’t change much with a change in home size.
How are you able to offer such a good value on your homes?
We do our best to build in the most affordable manner possible. We don’t have any middle-men or sales reps who have to make a commission or cover other expenses. By milling our logs, we are able to save a lot in labor charges. We use the best materials for the job. Our logs are ponderosa pine, a nice pretty wood with minimal “checking” problems. Ponderosa is not ideal for all applications, but for building log walls, it is a great, high value option. In addition, most of the remaining construction of the home uses modern technology and conventional techniques, such as engineered trusses and floor joists, which gives the best quality at a reasonable price. Also, log structures go up as fast as other homes because the logs replace the siding, framing, insulation, waterproofing, drywall and finishing found in a conventional home.
How easy is it to obtain financing for a log home?
In recent years the situation has improved greatly. As lending institutions have become more comfortable with the quality of product being offered by log home manufacturers, the quantity and quality of available loans has improved. Many institutions offer the same options and rates for log homes that they do for conventional construction loans. In addition, there are lenders available who specialize in log home construction that offer even more flexibility. One issue to consider is the size of the property that you are building on. For a home loan, many banks value 500 acres the same as 50 acres, which can make financing for large parcels difficult. In a situation like this, a specialty lender may be your best option.
How do log homes compare, as far as value appreciation goes?
Log homes are an excellent investment. We have seen that once built, they appraise for about 10% more than traditional homes with comparable features, even though they can cost the same to build. In addition, because they are unique, they tend to sell faster and appreciate a little more rapidly. While there are no guarantees, a well-built log home should be a safer than average real estate investment.
How much could I save building from a kit?
It all depends on how much experience you have and how much time you can devote to the project. Labor and profit can account for up to 50% of the costs of construction, so there is the potential for saving over $50 per square foot. The trade off is time. If you can’t devote full time to the project, it can drag on a long time, costing you in interest and other costs. In addition, you need to consider the quality of work you can produce versus a professional, and how that can affect the value of your property in the future.
How long does one of your log homes take to construct?
Most of it depends on the skill of the carpenters and log workers. The timeframe for the homes we build is around 40-52 weeks, depending on the size of the home. We did build one small home (1,100 sqft) with a simple floor plan from foundation to move-in in 60 days with an experienced 4 man crew, but that is far from typical. Other homes have taken over 12 months when problems have come up. In general, building with us will probably take a little longer than traditional construction, as there is a limited supply of labor who understand and can build a log home.
What have you seen that works well for your kit buyers?
It depends. If the kit is being purchased for a primary residence, it seems to work best to have the buyer act as the general contractor. This entails finding and hiring the subs and doing limited work, depending on the buyer’s abilities. This seems to be the best combination of money savings, speed of construction, and quality of results. Depending on the amount of work done, a person could save from $20 to $80 thousand dollars on an average sized house with this approach. If the kit being purchased is for use as a vacation home, we have had a number of customers use an extended vacation to get the exterior (walls, roof, doors, and windows) weather tight, and then work on the interior as time permits. This works well since vacation homes are typically a little smaller and simpler, and don’t usually need to be livable as quickly. Doing this can also save a person around half the costs of having one built or buying one already built. In addition to the savings, there is something nice about owning a home you built.
How much experience does a person need to have to be able to build a kit?
Not too much. Some building experience is helpful, but is not required. Confidence, a willingness to learn, and physical strength are probably just as important. You can also typically find subcontractors to do the things you don’t feel confident doing, such as plumbing, electrical work, or roofing. If you’ve got the time to learn, you could do the entire project, from start to finish, and learn a whole lot along the way. We recommend that you check with your city or county on local building codes and permit requirements before you get started on a project. This shouldn’t present any problems, but it is best to have the permits and requirements completed early. Also, some building departments may require that certain things be done by a licensed contractor, so be clear with them on what you are planning to do so that no misunderstandings arise during the building process. For example, in Yellowstone County a licensed electrician is required to do all electrical work for new construction, with an exception for an individual who is building his own home.
Take a look at our Construction Manual, to see what the process involves.
How many people and what tools do I need to complete a kit?
To set the logs and build the roof, a minimum of two strong individuals are needed. A helper is also recommended for these stages. Whether you use a sibling, friend, hired hand or spouse to do this is completely up to you. The same sized crew should be used for completing the roof. For tools, at least 2 heavy duty drills, chain saw, 12-14 lb sledge hammer, basic carpentry tools, pneumatic framing nailer and air compressor, generator if power is unavailable, 4 or 5 heavy duty ratchet straps, chop saw, circular saw, jig saw, stapler, palm sander, and a couple of good carpenter’s hammers should do the job. Some of these tools can be rented, although it may end up being cheaper to buy them.
If I order a kit, how long will it take to receive it?
It depends on the size of the home, how busy we are, and if you have chosen a standard or custom plan. A kit for a small cabin from a standard plan can be delivered in 6-8 weeks. Larger plans and custom plans typically take 6-10 weeks. We don’t typically need to rush things on our end, as site prep, foundation work, sub-floors, utility rough-ins, permits and other issues need to be completed before a project is ready for the logs. We find that most people need at least 4-6 weeks to be ready for the log delivery.
What are your payment requirements for log kits?
To help us keep costs down, we require a 50% down payment before we cut the wood for a kit. The balance is due upon delivery. We accept certified checks, money orders, or bank transfers prior to unloading the product. The initial payment can be a personal check, but log cutting will not begin until the payment has cleared the bank.
What if I change my mind after I order?
If we have not milled your order yet, 50% will be refunded. If your order has been cut we are not able to offer a refund. Once the product has been delivered to the site, you are the owner of it and can dispose of it as you see fit. If the second payment is not made at the time of delivery, the shipment will be returned to our factory and no refund offered. Should satisfactory payment be received after the shipment is returned, no penalty will be charged, but the customer will be responsible for any additional freight costs.
Who pays the freight?
Freight is paid by the consumer and will run approximately $4 per mile from Shepherd, Montana. It will be quoted prior to shipping and is due upon delivery.
Do you have references available?
Yes. If you are serious about buying and would like to talk to some of our previous customers, please contact us and we will provide you with this information. Please only ask if you are serious, as we respect the privacy of our customers and try to keep the impositions on their time limited.
Can I tour one of your homes?
You bet. We use our personal home as a model, and have some other homes in the area that we can show you, and will try to find someone in your area if we have a history there. We recommend that you try and see a variety of homes, log or not, to get a feel for sizes, floor plans, layouts, and other building issues. Most log home owners are proud of their home and are happy to show it off. You might even try knocking on a few doors in your community to see if you can set up a time to view their home. Viewing a variety of builders and models would be beneficial (take a tape measure and notepad with you too).
Where is your factory?
We are located in Shepherd, Montana, which is about 10 miles east of Billings. If you are going to be in the area, please feel free to call ahead so you can stop in, ask us some questions, and take a look at our photo gallery. We have built a large number of homes in the Shepherd area and it would be a valuable learning opportunity. If you would like a tour of the plant, please call ahead to schedule your visit so that we will be ready to show you around.
Do you have offices in other cities or towns?
We currently do not have other facilities. At this point, the costs outweigh the advantages of such a move. We are interested in finding quality builders in the right markets who would like to add a line of log homes to their current building activities. We are not, however, planning on opening sales offices around the country.
How many floor plans do you offer?
We have 18 standard plans that we work with, ranging from 225 sq ft to over 3,900 sq ft. About a third of the homes we build are custom plans, based on the buyer’s ideas and budgets and the property on which they are building.
What are your charges to plan a custom home?
Our charges are quite minimal. Typically, the cost of building a custom home will be more than our standard plans, as they usually end up being bigger, a little fancier, and a little more difficult to build, so labor and material costs increase.
What factors impact the cost of a home?
There are a variety of things that come into play. The first thing is the size. The more square feet, the higher the cost. Plan shapes also affect things -- square homes are the most efficient; the less square it is, the more per square foot it will cost. Additionally, irregular shaped homes cost more; an “L” shape or “U” shape home will require more exterior walls to enclose a specific area than a square or rectangular home will. This will also impact the roof lines, requiring more labor and materials. Options, such as gables, fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, irregular rooflines, balconies, and other aesthetic features, drive up your costs. In addition, your finishing options -- the cabinets, flooring materials, bathrooms, doors and window styles -- all matter.
Price wise, what would be the most efficient house style?
To get the most space for your money, you would want to build a two story square home with a basement and a shed or flat roof. This will cost significantly less than a home of similar size with a bunch of options. Unfortunately, it is also very boring to look at and thus not a very popular style of home.
How much maintenance does a log home require?
A log home does take a little more work than a traditional home, but is easier overall. We recommend resealing the exterior every five years with a quality sealer. Some sealers claim a 7 year life, but we still recommend no more than 5. We also recommend to stain and seal on a 6 to 10 year rotation. This is a little more frequent than you would paint a home, but it keeps it well protected and looking beautiful. With a decent sprayer you should be able to do this in one day. If you brush it on, it will probably take more than two days. Other than that, there are really no other maintenance requirements. One of the nice things about logs is their sturdiness -- no hail damage, no holes in the drywall, and no trouble finding a place to hang a picture. Also, log homes are “timeless,” eliminating the need to update an out-of-style exterior. I've found over time that with a log home you trade less interior maintenance for a little more exterior maintenance.
How safe are log homes?
Log homes are very safe. Structurally, having walls that are 8” of solid wood protects you from a lot. One of our homes was hit by a runaway farm truck a few years ago. The brakes failed at the top of a hill and the truck rolled down, striking the house at an estimated 45-50 miles an hour. Both of the owner’s young daughters were in the area of the house that was struck and received no injury. The insurance company insisted that the house was not salvageable and issued a claim for the home’s full value. The homeowner had us look things over, and after replacing portions of two walls and repositioning and re-anchoring it to the foundation, it was declared safe for occupancy. The investigating police officer said the home should have been destroyed and both children killed. Thankfully, things were much less serious.
Are log homes more susceptible to fire and insects?
No. Despite what you would think, log homes are much better than traditional homes in both areas. From an insect infestation standpoint, all of the wood in the home is visible. It is not hidden behind siding or drywall, so any problems are much easier to spot and treat -- no waiting until structural issues arise to find problems and then dealing with expensive solutions. As far as fire goes, wood will certainly burn, but it takes a lot more to ignite an 8” log than it does to ignite a 2 by 4 in a wall cavity. And, once started, logs burn slower, allowing more time to escape and fight a fire. One risk factor with log homes is simply associated with their location. They are often built in areas that are prone to wildfires; so, from a location standpoint they may carry a little more risk, but not from any factors directly related to log homes.
What advantages would a builder have who worked with your company?
There are a few things we offer a potential builder. The first is a proven system of log home design and construction; we can get them into a market that is difficult to start in, for no cost. The second advantage is the increased profit potential that log homes can offer a builder. This is due to the fact that they can make the same profit per home, but can finish a log home in about 75% of the time of a conventional house. So for every 15 homes they could build before, they can build 20 of ours, increasing their revenue without increasing their costs. Third, after building their first home, we offer builders a 10% discount off of our retail price, further increasing their profit potential. In addition, we can train them in the log home construction process and offer consulting as needed. A nice thing about building our homes is the fact that other than the logs, everything used in their construction can be found in most hardware and building supply stores, so there is no dependency on us for materials, and no exclusive contracts to sign.