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Should I Build Or Buy A Log Home?
Building or buying a log home depends largely on your priorities. If you value complete customization and a unique design, building a log home may be the best option. If you want to move in quicker with lower upfront costs, buying an existing log home could be preferable. You must factor in the potential for higher construction or remodeling costs and waiting time compared to one already built. Construction companies advise to get what you really want, build rather than buy.
Build Or Buy A Log Home: Factors To Consider
The decision to build or buy a log home takes considerable thought and planning. Some practical factors to consider in this decision include:
- Cost – Building a log home will likely be more expensive upfront than buying an existing one due to higher construction labor and materials.
- Construction Time – Building a log home takes significantly longer than purchasing an existing one. Your time frame can play a significant role in the decision.
- Customization – Building allows you to fully design a log home to fit your exact needs and preferences including the layout, size, and specific log style.
- Location – You may not be able to find a home in the area where you want to locate or relocate. Building allows the flexibility of buying a lot in a desirable area.
- Maintenance – Log homes require some external maintenance to keep them looking new. If an existing home has not been maintained properly, it can take a lot of work and money to renew it.
- Quality Control – It may be difficult to find a home constructed with high-quality materials and skilled labor in the area where you want it.
Key Points For Building A Log Home
Building a log home has significant advantages over buying an existing home. An old adage reminds us ‘Why do you want to buy someone else’s problems?’ Think about these benefits:
- Design Flexibility – You can choose among floor plans, log profiles, home size, wall thickness, trims, corners, and design elements to create your dream log home.
- Energy Efficiency – New homes may be insulated better than existing ones which can significantly reduce heating and cooling bills.
- Expert Contractor – You get to choose a reputable log home builder who provides high-quality construction you can trust.
- Log Color – A new home allows you to choose the color you desire. Buying a home with the wrong color delays moving in and can be expensive to change the color.
“Building or buying a log home depends largely on your priorities.”
Styles Of Log Homes
One significant advantage of building a log home instead of buying one is you get to design it instead of settling for what’s currently on the market. You can choose from these favorites:
- One story without garage
- One story with attached garage
- One Story with detached garage
- Two story without garage
- Two story with attached garage
- Two story with detached garage
Other choices include rectangular and square shapes and homes with vaulted or cathedral ceilings. A traditional to modern design inside and out with quarter, half, premier, or hand-hewn log siding are other choices. Many plans are available to find the one that meets your wants and needs.
Log Siding Versus Full Logs
Building with pine log siding is a growing trend and a shift away from full round and square logs. Building with log siding is simplicity itself because the siding is attached to conventional wall framing instead of stacking heavy logs on top of each other. The result is a home with the full log look without the full log price. Other advantages of a pine log home siding include:
- Faster construction and move-in time
- No need to hire specialized builders
- Material, labor, and transportation costs are less
- Save crane and crane operator expenses
- Log siding is easily attached to conventional wall framing
- Pine siding, corners, and trims are readily available
- Homeowners with woodworking knowledge and skills can install the siding
- Pine log siding is a sustainable environmentally-friendly product
Hiring A Home Contractor
When hiring a home building contractor, thoroughly research three potential builders by asking for references and checking their licensing, insurance, and bonding. Review some of their last projects, get multiple written bids, and compare costs on identical specifications.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the builders’ communication styles and experiences before signing a detailed contract that outlines the project scope, timeline, and payment schedule. The more time you spend upfront selecting the best builder, the fewer problems you will experience during and after construction.
Making the decision of building versus buying a log home becomes easier when you think through all your options. Just remember that building a home means you get to design it and potentially avoid hidden problems.
