A Guide to Picking a Log Home Builder
After deciding that you’re ready to own a log home, your next decision may be whether to buy an existing home, or hire a builder to build new? If that’s a question you’re wrestling with, here’s a list of helpful questions to ask builder candidates:
- How long have they been in business?
- Are they able to provide a long list of happy customers?
- Are you able to tour one of their homes?
- Have they built any homes similar to what you want?
- What are their payment terms?
- What are the construction and site costs? Are there additional shipping costs?
- Is pricing “ball park”, where it can vary based on finishes and styles you select, or is it a total turnkey package where you will know the exact cost from the start?
- If you’re buying a package, do their packages cover just the home, or include things like foundation/basement costs, electrical & plumbing, inspections & building/contractor licenses, etc.? These items can cause a big difference in pricing between companies if one offers them and one does not, so be sure you know what is included.
- Type of HVAC – depending on what your needs are, these could be radiant, forced air, geothermal, and central air, or simply a wood stove.
- If you need to run gas and electric, will they help manage that process, or is the buyer responsible?
- Is there a connection to city water & sewer, or will the site require a well & septic system? If the latter, will they help with that process?
Once you find a company you like, you can learn a little more how they operate by touring their manufacturing facilities, model homes or existing homes, their showrooms or by visiting them at log home shows.
