Leelanau Log Homes Summer-Fall Open House Dates Announced

Why visit a log home open house?

It's the perfect setting to learn more about log homes, take a closer look at the product and craftsmanship, meet a local dealer-builder and move one step closer to realizing your dreams.  Researching and looking at log homes on the internet is great, but to a point.  Physically standing in the great room of a log home in full 3-D has no equal.  So make plans to visit us during one of our scheduled open house dates!  


When you visit, you can...

• Tour the model home
• Discuss your log home project plans
• Learn more about our Strongwood Log & Timber Frame products
• Review log or timber frame package costs
• Learn more about construction costs
• Review standard floorplans or your custom log home or timber frame design 
• Learn more about Leelanau Log Homes Dealership Services
• Ask questions

There's no better time of the year than summer-fall to visit us in Northern Michigan.  Why not combine a weekend getaway during one of our scheduled open house dates.   To learn more click here:  2012 Open House Dates.

Hope to see you this summer-fall!


By The Leelanau Log Home Company 
www.leelanauloghomes.com

Log Home Construction Basics: Definitions of shell-in and turn-key construction

These terms are commonly used in log home construction and refer to how complete the builder will construct the home.  And because each term can have different meanings to different individuals, its wise when speaking with a builder to ask them for their definition, because you know what happens when you assume.  Here's our definition:

• Shell-in or construct the weather tight shell refers to the builder constructing the subfloor, log walls, install the windows/doors, interior rough framing and roof system through the shingles/metal roof on the foundation.  

• Turn-key or turn-key construction project refers to the builder constructing the log home based on your specifications and ready for you to move in.    

The Take Away:  Which ever path you choose to construct your dream log home make sure the builder of record provides you (in writing) the details explaining the construction of your home.  Because you know what happens when you assume!

By The Leelanau Log Home Company
www.leelanauloghomes.com 

Copyright 2012 Under the Influence of Wood Blog

How long does it take to build a log home?

There's no golden rule, but typically it takes approximately 6-10 months to build a custom log home.  
As they say, the devil is in the details and because each log home build is unique there are variables that can impact that question of time.  Some of those are, how well the homeowner and dealer/builder have done the preliminary planning, the size of the home, type of log home building system, complexity of design,  size of the building crew, level of communication between the builder and homeowner, weather, timeliness of sub-contractors, etc.

So let’s break it down and review some of the key milestones and how long they may take in the building process.

The assumption is that your land is cleared and ready for the excavation of the foundation and your log home package has a scheduled delivery date.   

• Permits, final site prep, excavation, footings/foundation, subfloor: Allow up to 3-4 weeks.
• Constructing the weather tight shell:  Allow 2-3 months depending on the size and complexity of the log home.
• Completing the mechanical's (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) and rough-in inspections:  Allow 4-6 weeks depending on the sub-contractor schedules.
• Install insulation, inspections and miscellaneous prep for finish wall coverings:  Allow 1-2 weeks.
• Interior wall covering, interior trim carpentry, cabinetry:  Allow 4-8 weeks
• Interior and exterior paint and stain:  2-4 weeks
• Mechanical final, tile work and finished floor prep: 2-3 weeks
• flooring, hardware, trim final:  4-6 weeks
• Inspections, clean-up: 2 weeks
• Move-in!

By The Leelanau Log Home Company

www.leelanauloghomes.com

Copyright 2012 Under the Influence of Wood Blog

Websites for the log home shopper

The Internet has certainly changed the way we shop for products and services.   A simple Google search can produce an endless plethora of information on almost any topic.  But when researching a product or service, the goal isn't the quantity of information, but the quality, meaning trusted, accurate and relevant to your topic. 


To that end, there are five websites (that we often recommend to our clients) dedicated to everything log home.  These sites are excellent information sources that provide log home shoppers places to do their research and expand their knowledge. 


1.  Log Homes Council:   The Log Homes Council is a part of the National Association of Home Builders.  This national organization is made up of log home manufacturers from across the country.  This website is packed with information, from technical research found in the Library tab to an excellent Buyers guide.  To learn more go to:  http://www.loghomes.org/

2.  Loghome.com is the online home for Log Home Living and Country's Best Cabins magazines.  This site has floorplans from various manufacturers, articles, tons of photos, planning and budgeting resources, dealers and builders listings, etc.  To learn more go to:  http://www.loghome.com/

3.  Log Home Directory Sites: These three websites are excellent resources to find listings of log home manufacturers, dealers or builders in your area.  In addition, you'll also find floorplans, and log home related products and services listings, etc.


a. http://www.logcabindirectory.com/home/
b. http://www.loghome.net/
c. http://lhoti.com/

If you have a favorite log home website(s) please share them with us.


The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC
www.leelanauloghomes.com 

The nuts and bolts of kitchen cabinets

Selecting kitchen cabinets for your new log home is an "exciting...big" decision.  It maybe the most important room in the house and with so many choices out there we wanted to arm you with some basic knowledge before you start shopping.


Traditionally kitchen cabinet manufacturers offer different product lines and quality levels.  Meaning they may offer stock, stock-plus (semi-custom) and/or custom lines of cabinets.  Now on top of that you'll have a host of options and upgrades (and price points) to choose from that you can add to your kitchen package based on a product line.  


Stock cabinets:  Just as the name suggests, the manufacturer pre-builds specific sizes and styles with a very limited list of options to choose from (i.e.: wood species, colors, hardware, etc.).  Stock units streamline and lower manufacturing costs which is reflected in the price and one of the benefits is product availablity.


Stock-plus cabinets or semi-custom: In order to bridge the gap between stock and custom, many manufacturers offer a stock cabinet, but allow you to customize them with a wide range of optional features, upgrades and sizes.  When ordering these cabinets expect a 4-6 week wait for delivery.

Custom cabinets:  Are unlimited in size and design because they're custom designed to your specifications and budget.  Make sure you ask the cabinet maker how long will it take to custom build your cabinets.


Now let's talk about the cabinet box design itself.  There are two distinct styles of kitchen cabinets, framed and frameless.


Framed:  Are cabinets that have rails and stiles that make up the face frame around the cabinet door opening.


Frameless:  A more modern style of cabinet, the door covers the entire cabinet opening, offering wider drawers and cabinets openings, hence more accessible storage room.

Construction Materials:  The construction of the cabinet box is an important factor when choosing your kitchen package.  Here's where, "you get what you pay for" factors in.  Typically a less expensive cabinet box is made from MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or particle board with a laminated surface.  Higher quality cabinet boxes are made from furniture grade plywood or solid wood.  No matter what you select, make sure the cabinet box has a closed back for greater stability and strength.  


Higher quality drawers and cabinet fronts/doors will be made from solid wood in a variety of species and styles and lesser quality maybe made from laminate MDF.

Box and Drawer Construction Methods: When shopping for cabinets check to see how the cabinet boxes are constructed, meaning the joinery. Lesser quality cabinets might be glued and stapled together with plastic bracing. Higher quality boxes might have dadoes that are glued using screws/nails with wood or metal corner bracing.
The type of drawer joinery is also a sign of quality. Lesser quality drawer construction will be pieces butt together and fastened with glue, staples or in some cases snap together. Higher quality drawers are made from solid wood or furniture grade plywood and typically use strong joinery such as dovetails with glue or to a lesser degree use dadoes with glue and nails to hold them together.

Quality vs. performance: How you'll use your kitchen should impact your quality level choices. For example: If your kitchen is going to get a workout, say with a large family then you'll want to pay attention to stronger materials and joinery methods. Also look closely at the cabinet door hinge and drawer slide options. You'll have performance choices here with different price points. If you shop smart, you can find a quality cabinet that is well made at reasonable prices.

Budgeting: When developing your materials budget for your kitchen package you'll have three primary areas: Cabinets, counter tops and appliances. Budget 50% for the cabinets, 20-25% for appliances and 25-30% for counter tops.

Things to consider:

• define your vision of your new kitchen and put it on paper. 
• take a closer look at your current kitchen, what do you like and what would you change? 
• what changes in your lifestyle do you expect once you move into your new log home? More entertaining perhaps? If so, incorporate those lifestyle changes into your design. 
• a kitchen package is a big investment, so shop and compare quality versus price choices based on your needs. 
• make sure you bring your floorplan with you when kitchen shopping. 
• be prepared to define either through words or photos the kind of kitchen package/design you're looking for. 
• checkout cabinet manufacturers online before you start shopping. A little homework before you grab your coat will be well worth your investment in time. 
• make sure you consult with your builder about your choices. He or she will definitely have an opinion, so factor that into your decision making process. 

We hope this article helps educate you just a little about the "nuts and bolts" of kitchen cabinets. Happy shopping!

By The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC

www.leelanauloghomes.com 

Log Home Cost Metrics: The Pros & Cons

There are two commonly used metrics in log home industry that help folks get an idea of potential costs.  These tools are helpful early in the preliminary planning process "ballparking" potential costs, but only if you understand the limitations of these metrics.   Here are the pros and cons...

1.  Cost per living square foot:  Widely used  in the construction biz and commonly used in conventional construction.  It's a simple calculation that typically factors in the living square foot of the home times a square foot price to determine total cost per square foot.  The multiplier is the cost per sq. ft. which is estimated based on a wide variety of variables such as quality of finish materials, local labor rates, similar size homes, etc.  Example:  1,500 square foot home x $175.00 per square foot = $262,500.  

Pros:  This is a good metric to use for the big picture cost potential and provides a ballpark idea of the cost.  Typically used very early in the log home education process.  

Cons:  Limiting because typically only factors in living space, not construction sq. ft.  Many times it doesn't include decks, porches, garages, dormers or other non-living sq. ft. features.  It may also not factor in the complexity of the structure (number of corners, roof planes, etc), quality and completeness of the log home package, quality of construction, quality level of finishes, scope of your project, etc.

2.  Cost X the log home package price. Commonly used in the log home industry to calculate the total cost to build a log home, take the log or timber frame package price times the multiplier to give you the cost.  Example:  If the log home package cost $100,000 times the multiplier which is typically 3-4 times equals the total cost range from $300,000 to $400,000 (more or less).  Again, it comes back to defining the multiplier which can be based on quality level of finish, labor rates, similar homes, etc.

Pros:  Simple to calculate and understand. Typically used very early in the log home education process. 

Cons:  Only gets you close if you can determine a realistic "multiplier".  Factors that influence the multiplier can be quality level of finish, quality of materials used, amenities or upgrades from standard, etc. An experienced and knowledgeable log home dealer/builder will be able to help you determine your cost  multiplier.  

The Take Away...

The bottom-line…these calculating tools are great for "ballparking" potential cost and really nothing more.  Because each log home is unique, getting a realistic cost number can only be done by taking the next step...meeting with a log home dealer and/or builder of choice and going through the preliminary planing process.    An experienced and knowledgeable dealer and/or builder will be skilled at guiding you through this process to help you develop your design, related building cost and budget.  

If done well this can be a fun, exciting and educational experience and only through this process can you get the answer to your question...”how much does it cost?”.  

The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC
www.leelanauloghomes.com 

Drywall adds flair and function to your log home

For most log home lovers, even the purist, there can be such a thing as too much wood. From wood walls to wood ceilings, wood trim, log accents, cabinets, floors...somewhere wood needs a break.  In fact, because wood tends to absorbs light, all that wood can create a dark space potentially requiring additional windows or lighting.  

That's where drywall can add contrast, colorful flair and brighten a room.  This conventional wall covering is the perfect pallet to add color plus accent or enhance all the wood features of your log home.  

By strategically selecting which interior walls to be drywall you can create that perfect living space without compromising your log home look and feel, even if you're a purist.

By The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC
www.leelanauloghomes.com

Copyright 2012 Under the Influence of Wood Blog