The Log Home Industry Expert

Building Log Homes, Nationwide

PrecisionCraft launches its new Log Homes Design Build Center at PrecisionCraft.com!  With this new online resource center, people worldwide can get a complete look at PrecisionCraft’s Design Build approach to building custom log homes and timber frame homes. From creating one-of-a-kind designs through the entire construction process, PrecisionCraft’s Design Build center highlights how this unique approach utilizes streamlined processes, aggressive cost controls and cutting edge timeline management techniques to ensure the highest quality build standards at the best price. PrecisionCraft’s Design Build Approach includes:

• Conceptual Design
• A Cost Feasibility Study
• In depth, Pre-Construction Planning, and…the
• Highest Quality Construction

According to Jim Young, President of PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame, “the primary advantage of such a unique approach in the log and timber home industry is the client’s ability to see every detail of his or her project thought through and planned for before committing to construction. This means every client has the right design for them, feels completely comfortable with its cost, and enjoys the security that comes from such in-depth planning prior to making a commitment to construction.”

Browse PrecisionCraft’s new Log Homes Design Build Center at: http://www.precisioncraft.com/DesignBuild.html.

An Inspired Living Story by PrecisionCraft Log Homes:

Click on the Image Below and Take a Tour of this Handcrafted Log Home Cabin:  Hear the Story, Browse the Photos, and Tour its Floor Plan

Take design ingenuity and cross it with innovative build solutions. What do you get? Inspired Living.  Over the past few years, PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects have worked diligently to add a new design to their portfolio each month, each one highlighting a distinctive architectural flare.  Their ‘Design of the Month’ exclusive has sparked interest from around the globe with each month’s new design added to PrecisionCraft’s wide ranging floor plan gallery.

With over 65 of Mountain Architects’ most admired plans now showcased online, their design gallery offers a lot of inspiration!  Now, the artistic duo takes you for a detour over the next four months, sharing real life stories of how Mountain Architects’ new design creations come to life.

“People already love to browse through our award-winning floor plans but now they can see how some of our clients have turned these design concepts into extraordinary timber and log homes,” said Mountain Architects’ lead designer, Matt Franklin.

“Inspired Living: Stories You Can Build Upon” will feature the stories behind truly extraordinary mountain style homes. Log home lovers will get the inside scoop on what inspired each home’s design – was it to build a legacy for family generations to come, to incorporate “green” elements to ensure energy efficiency, or to create an atmosphere of warmth and intimacy?  Whatever the reason behind the design, potential log home builders are sure to find inspiration for their own timber or log homes!

June’s Inspired Living Story:  Building a Legacy Home - see how Kelly and Marie take Mountain Architect’s Laurette Chateau floor plan and turn it into their own legacy timber frame home!  Get the full story of this timber frame home.

July’s Inspired Living Story:  A Tale of Three Families - One Design, Three Custom Homes.  PrecisionCraft’s award-winning Woodhaven floor plan has been built a few times over the years.  But, just as no two families are the same, no two homes are the same!  This Inspired Living story illustrates how three clients started with the same Mountain Architects floor plan, but created three very distinct homes.  Each home is customized to match the unique needs, architectural style, property and budget of three different couples.  See all three log homes and read their Inspired Living stories.

VIEW & COMPARE photo tool!  Each online feature story is equipped with an interactive floor plan tool.  If you like the layout of the great room and want to see it come to life, simply click on floor plan itself… easy as that! 

The design team at Mountain Architects have put together a great “Top 10″ list of things to consider when designing green log homes and timber frame home retreats.  

The team highlights key points such as:

Consider the Log Home Carbon Footprint…

Reduce the use of chemically processed materials…

Consider good basic design decisions… 

Use energy efficient products…

Use low-VOC products…

Use wood Alternatives or FSC-certified wood products…

Consider environmentally preferable and rapidly renewable products…

Use rapidly-renewable materials…

Plant trees to shade the house and for wind protection…

Use Green Power… 

If green is your goal, you have to check out this list! Read the full article and discussion at the Log Home Plans Blog.

Selecting your general contractor to build your custom log home is certainly one of the most critical decisions you make. Once you have made your selection, it is important that the terms of your agreement with the contractor are specific and spelled out well in advance.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) have jointly developed a set of contract documents that define the role and responsibility of the contractor, owner and architect. These documents have been developed over more than 100 years of experience and address most major issues that might appear during construction. Every few years, these documents are updated and revised to adapt to the latest construction trends and techniques. The AIA documents are highly respected by attorneys, contractors, architects and engineers and accepted as the industry standard.

Building a custom log home or timber frame home is typically a very large financial commitment. Owners place a great deal of trust into their architects, general contractors and other building professionals. Often times, clients who have never built a custom log home (or any type of custom home) do not understand what to expect. Using a professional licensed architect is one of the best ways to insure the project will be successful. Your architect will most likely be familiar with AIA documents. The AIA contracts spell out the normal obligations and responsibilities of each party such as duties, timelines and payment schedules.

At PrecisionCraft, premiere designer, manufacturer, and builder of log & timber homes, customers want to the opportunity to customize their homes. They are looking for a “one-of-a-kind” home that fits their personal taste, needs and their surroundings. However, there is no reason to “re-invent the wheel” when it comes to following a set of standards and expectations. The AIA contract documents, used with PrecisionCraft’s clients, have been proven year after year and follow a known path of success.

As the leader in custom design, PrecisionCraft Log Homes encourages clients to turn to the well trusted AIA documents. PrecisionCraft specializes in the design of handcrafted log homes, milled log homes, timber frame homes, log & timber hybrid homes, and stick frame homes with log & timber accents.

A great log home (or any custom home for that matter) starts with quality professional design. Hiring a licensed architect is your best bet and will ensure a better design and a successful building project.

Many people fancy themselves to be good log home designers and undoubtedly, some are. Anyone can call themselves a “residential designer” with or without any education or experience in the field and most jurisdictions will accept plans prepared by non-certified designers. The danger is that a non-licensed designer may have fragmented knowledge about the log home building process without fully addressing all areas of responsibility.

Only architects licensed through examination have dedicated themselves to years of rigorous study, education and requirements. A licensed architect has a comprehensive knowledge that brings together artistic design with safety, environmental and energy concerns and sound building practices. In addition, licensed architects are required to complete continuing education every year keeping them up to date with the latest in log home design and building practices.

Most licensed architects are members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The AIA is a professional organization that supports architects. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.

In addition, the AIA has developed a comprehensive set of construction contract documents developed over more than 100 years of building experience. Using AIA prepared contract documents with your general contractor and subcontractors is a path that has proven successful over many years of experience.

Licensed architects are members of a community of professionals. Most stand behind their work and are typically insured to protect themselves and their clients against financial loss during construction. Many states require licensed architects to have insurance against errors and omissions. A non-licensed designer will most likely not have this insurance protection resulting in a financial loss for clients.

A licensed architect may charge anywhere from 5% to 10% of the cost of the home depending upon the services provided. This might be slightly higher than a non-licensed designer but, the higher level of service and protection provided by a licensed architect is well worth the added cost.

Learn more about custom log home design.