The Log Home Industry Expert

Written by Tom Heatherington

There has not been a better time in years to build your log home!

If you permit the media to drive your decision making, you already know this is the worst possible time to make a lifestyle change. The housing market is in the tank, stock charts look as if they were printed from an oscilloscope, and upcoming elections (are intended to) make us feel anxious. If you include war news, terror reports, natural disasters and the Hollywood writer’s strike you must know this is absolutely the worst time to make serious lifestyle changes.

As the editor of the Log Cabin Directory, I have a unique perspective on the log home and timber frame business. In my daily routine I speak with people on both sides of the log home sales process. I answer phone calls and emails from prospective log home buyers, and I speak with builders, dealers and manufacturers on a regular basis.

It is no secret that the home building industry in general and the real estate market in particular are experiencing a downturn, which actually has been anticipated for a number of years. Although this slump has impacted the log and timber home segments of the market, it is not as severe as that being experienced by the conventional home building market. When such cyclic events occur buyers will often postpone their plans, which usually prompts manufacturers and builders to focus more on improving customer service and sharpening their pencils to attract new customers.

Economic cycles are part of life and there is not much new in this current phase. These cycles are always gut-wrenching, as we are experiencing them, but somehow we always get through them and business eventually goes back to normal. Think back to as recently as the dot-com meltdown of 2000-2001 when the stock market was blowing-off billions of dollars in profits. Companies were going bankrupt, banks were overextended and we watched TV like frightened deer in the headlights while the talking heads convinced us how bad things were. Imagine what your reaction would have been back then if someone told you that you’d be smart to build a custom log home, because it would probably double in value over then next 5-10 years.

This is why I believe that there is no better time to build a log home than now, because if you are a buyer, these current market conditions are exactly what you have been waiting for – whether you realize it or not. With the housing industry soft overall, you can expect to receive more attention and better service from builders than at anytime in recent years. Manufacturers have been reminded that you have a choice, and are focused on making you want to do business with them. This is a buyers market and as history has proven over and over again, that dream home of yours will cost you more to build later than it will today.

Any savvy investor will tell you that the time to buy is when a stock is out of favor. The apprehension from log home buyers in today’s market creates a huge opportunity for those willing to ignore the media’s fear-mongering and proceed with their dreams. Most people considering a log home have the funds or the credit worthiness to complete the process. The only thing lacking is the courage to ignore the crowd’s ill-advised mindset.

Now if you are planning to build a log home on spec and try to flip it for a quick profit, this may not be the most ideal time to play real estate roulette. However, if building a log or timber frame home to live in and enjoy has been part of your plan, there hasn’t been a better time in years to make it happen.

I am no Pollyanna. On the contrary, I have three daughters so I have been hard-wired to worry about everything. Additionally, I share the same concerns about the economy and my family’s future as you do yours, but every now and then someone has to slap me and tell me to focus on the things I can control. If a log home is part of your dream, take a lesson from history and don’t let Drudge or the ‘alphabet news channels’ talk you out of realizing your dream.

About the author: Tom Heatherington is the founder and editor of the “Log Cabin Directory”, one of the largest log home information sources online. He is the author of “The Complete Small Business Internet Guide” and numerous articles on log home living.

As you begin the process of financing your Log or Timber Frame home, you will find that there are some differences compared to financing a conventional home.  The following is a list of things to consider:

1. As you interview lenders, look for a loan officer who is experienced in Construction lending.  Even more importantly, make sure the lender is experienced in Log Home and Timber Frame construction lending.  You may have many questions during the process and you will want to deal with an expert that you can rely on.
2. What is the lender’s policy as it relates to paying the required upfront deposit as well as the final payment to the Log or Timber Frame company?  You will find that many lenders shy away from financing these types of homes because they are not comfortable paying out monies before materials are on site.  Alternatively, the Log and Timber Frame companies require a down payment to begin milling the logs or timbers.  Keep in mind that the log or Timber Frame package is unique to each client’s project.  The down payment deposit is your “good faith” commitment towards purchasing that package.  Unless you have the financial wherewithal to pay these monies out of pocket, you will want to be sure your lender will accommodate the required payment terms of your Log or Timber Frame Company.  Understanding this upfront can save many challenges later in the process.
3. During your research, you will find that lenders offer two types of Construction loans.  I refer to the first as a “Two-time Close,” which means the lender will provide you with a construction loan that will need to be refinanced into a new permanent mortgage loan once the home is completed.  This type of transaction requires that you re-qualify for the new permanent mortgage and it also requires that you pay two sets of closing costs.  A less expensive approach may be a “One-time Close” loan.  In this situation, the lender provides one loan for the construction period.  When the home is complete, the loan will automatically convert to a permanent mortgage.  Lenders policies vary, but for the most part, this type of loan will not require you to re-qualify or pay new closing costs when the home converts to the permanent mortgage.  Typically, during construction, you will pay an interest only payment based on what you owe each month.  As your balance increases, so will your monthly payment.  When the home is complete, you will begin to pay a Principal, Interest, Tax and Insurance payment (like that of a normal conventional loan).  Construction loan terms vary from 6 months to 12 months and beyond.  Check with your lender.
4. Once you have determined which lender you will use, it is recommended that you apply for your financing early on in the process.  Understanding how much you can qualify for up front will aid in your discussions with your Log or Timber Frame company as well as with your builder. Most lenders do not charge for a pre-approval.
5. Understanding the real estate market in the area that you are going to build can be very useful.  It’s important for your lender to know if your new home will be marketable in your area.  For instance, here are some items to consider sharing with your lender:  Is the size home you are considering building in line with other homes in the area or will it be an over-improvement or an under-improvement?  Does your property include acreage and if so – how many acres?  Is this typical for the area?  Is the property zoned agricultural and is there anything growing on the site?  Are there other log or Timber Frame homes in the area or will your home be the first?  Are you considering an alternative approach to power (i.e.; solar)?  It’s critical that you discuss these items with your lender up front.  It can save you from challenges late in the processing of your loan.
6. What type of down payment is going to be required?  You will find that each lender has different policies.  Most lenders will require a 5%, 10% or 20% down payment (down payment percentage is typically determined by your loan size).  This means 5% to 20% of the overall project cost (land plus construction costs of the new home).  As an example, if you are purchasing the land with the construction loan, you would add the purchase price of the land to the budget (cost breakdown) for the home.  You would be required to bring cash to the loan signing of 5% to 20% of the total amount.  If you own the land outright, the equity in the land would most likely count towards your down payment needs.  In this scenario, you may not be required to bring any cash to the loan signing.  The equity in the land may already be your 5% to 20% (or more) down payment.  If the land equity is sufficient, you may be able to finance the closing costs into the loan as well.  Discuss your scenario with your lender up front to determine if you will be expected to bring any cash to the loan signing.
7. Are you considering beginning any construction work on your site prior to loan signing/closing?  Pre-start activity is generally acceptable, but you should check with your lender before beginning any construction work on the property.  There may be a challenge with the Title Company insuring the lender if any work has begun prior to the loan signing.  If it is determined that it is acceptable to begin work ahead of time, keep good records of anything you pay for out of pocket.  You may be asked to prove payment for these items.  A copy of the Invoice and canceled check or credit card receipt should suffice.  Any payments you make ahead of time should also be credited towards your down payment needs (listed in # 5 above).  Once your initial down payment is made, any excess items paid for may be able to be reimbursed to you at the loan signing.  Discuss this with your lender to see if you can be reimbursed for any of these items.
8. What happens if your costs exceed your original budget?  This is a common occurrence with construction projects.  The excess can be caused by something outside of your control or can be caused by an upgrade that you make along the way.  Either way, if there are not sufficient funds in the loan to pay for the overage, then you must pay for it with your own cash.  Perhaps a better way to handle this would be to build a contingency factor into the loan amount.  This is accomplished by increasing your loan amount for potential cost overruns.  A good rule of thumb is to build in 5% to 10% of the budget as a contingency factor.  This is all possible as long as the appraised value of the property supports the extra dollars requested in the loan.  Typically the lender will not require that you use the contingency dollars.  It is only there for you should you need it.  Ask your lender to explain their policy on the use of contingency dollars.
9. Is Interest Reserve an important feature for you with the construction loan?  Interest Reserve is a dollar amount that is added to your loan and is used to make your monthly interest payments during construction.  Instead of writing a check each month for the interest that is due, the payment is taken out of your loan and made for you.  During construction you actually make no monthly payments.  At the end of construction, you owe more money because you have borrowed those monthly payments using the loan proceeds.  This feature is not important to everyone.  It may be useful for a client who wants to sell their current home, but would like to live in this home while the new home is being built.  Making two house payments on a monthly basis may be a challenge while the other home is trying to be sold.  Having an Interest Reserve could be a nice feature in this scenario.
10. Are you considering being an Owner Builder?  Being involved in the building of a Log or Timber Frame home appeals to a lot of people.  If you are considering overseeing or actually doing some of the construction work on your own, please discuss this with your lender up front.  Some lenders will want to be sure that you are experienced enough to oversee the project.  You may be asked to provide a resume of your experience as it relates to construction.  Other lenders may not allow you to be an Owner Builder at all.  Be sure your lender will accommodate this for you.

This article was written by Paula Murtha with Chase Home Finance. For more information on log home financing, please contact Paula by email at Paula.Murtha@chase.com or call 303-759-6762.

Log Homes and Timber Frame Homes may have the lowest carbon footprint of any other type of construction.  A carbon footprint is the measurement of carbon dioxide released as a result of using a particular product or other human activity.  Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere and major contributor to global warming. 

A report prepared by the Edinburgh Center for Carbon Management1  (ECCM) compared the carbon dioxide footprints of three structures and the benefits when more timber was introduced into the construction.  The results were astounding.  ECCM estimated that there could be up to an 88% reduction of greenhouse gases by using log or timber structural elements wherever possible rather than other conventional building materials.  The reduction of greenhouse gases was achieved by replacing materials high energy, high CO2 production values, such as steel and concrete, with solid wood.  The report states that the production of steel and concrete materials accounts for 10% of the total global emissions of greenhouse gases.  These materials have a high CO2 output created during the extraction of raw materials, refining, processing and manufacturing of the finished product.  As reported in a study published by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the energy consumed to process a tree into a finished sawn timber is about one-tenth of steel production.2

In another report prepared by The Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM)3  compared four different structure using different wall systems – two woods, one concrete and one steel.  The report found that the steel wall system generated 33% more greenhouses gases than wood and the concrete wall generated 80% more greenhouse gases than wood.  The study also reported that the wood structures out-performed the steel and concrete houses in energy use and the impact on air and water quality. 

Wood walls are typically framed or solid.  Conventionally framed walls use a combination a several materials including processed wood products such as plywood or other laminated wood products, fiberglass insulation, exterior siding, interior sheetrock and some type of wall covering.  Solid wood walls using logs or timbers have basically one product – the log or timber.  The energy consumed and the CO2 produced in the production of logs and timbers is a fraction compared to the production of all the various materials in a conventionally framed wall. 

Consumers are much more aware the environmental impact of using different materials and are being increasing sensitive to the hazards of exposure to chemically processed materials.  Logs and timbers are 100% natural.  As a natural product, they do not emit VOCs or other pollutants into the outdoor or indoor space.  Trees are produced from soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis.  Ecologically and environmentally, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful.

Sustained and plantation forest growth actually reduces greenhouse gases by consuming CO2 out of the atmosphere while the trees are growing.  Political pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as the Kyoto Protocol, is sure to continue and it will become increasingly important to find solution.  The use of solid wood construction such as with a log home or timber home can make a positive contribution. 

[1] Forestry Commission Scotland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Comparison – Carbon benefits of Timber in Construction.  Aug 2006. 

[2] Wood – another low carbon footprint solution.  Feb-Mar 2006, ECOS 13. 

[3] The environmental performance of renewable building materials in the context of residential construction

Perez-Garcia, John, Bruce Lippke, David Briggs, James B. Wilson, James Boyer, and Jaime Meil. - www.corrim.org/

 

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.

If you are considering building a log home, consider members of the Log Homes Council. The Log Homes Council is part of the Building Systems Councils, a council of the National Association of Home Builders. Members are required to participate in the Log Homes Council’s log and timber grading program. It is important to select a log home company that grades and certifies under the grading rules established by the Log Homes Council. This protects you as a customer and ensures that you get only graded logs and timbers when purchasing from a Council Member. This is a critical issue, as the new International Building Code will require grading and building inspectors may reject logs and timbers which have not been graded.

Log Homes Council members must subscribe to a rigid code of ethics developed to ensure well-constructed, code-complying structures and fair business dealings. The Council is a clearing house for complaints dealing with questionable practices and often times mediates customer complaints and disputes. All Council members agree to provide interested persons with truthful and accurate information and educational materials about log home building systems. The Log Homes Council sponsors research and testing of materials to determine structural and thermal qualities. This information has been critical to engineers and architects as they design buildings with log and timber components. Members of the Log Homes Council are also members of the National Association of Home Builders.

In addition to using the Better Business Bureau, using the Log Homes Council is a great way to narrow your search for a log or timber home company. Organizations such as the Timber Framers Guild and the Timber Frame Business Council are also great resources for researching industry companies. Starting your search with the members of these organizations will ensure that you are shopping the best log home companies.

Now that you are considering building a log home, selecting the right company will be one of the most critical decisions.  Finding the right log home company can be a daunting task.  There are many good companies and, unfortunately, some that are not so good.  Reputation, experience, architectural depth, financial strength, product selection and manufacturing capability are all factors to take into account before selecting a log home company.

The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start.  Check to see if the log home company you are considering is a member and if there are any outstanding complaints.  Dun and Bradstreet is a financial and credit reporting service and can give good information about the financial history of a company.  It is highly recommended that you consider only companies that have financial history reported by Dun and Bradstreet.  If a company is not listed, you may want to look elsewhere.

Consider companies that have affiliations with industry trade groups such as the National Association of Home Builders - Log Homes Council, the Timber Framers Guild or the Timber Frame Business Council.  Many trade organizations, such as the Log Homes Council, establish ethical guidelines to ensure well-constructed, code-complying structures and fair business dealings.     Once you have narrowed the field, we strongly encourage you to visit the companies. Check out their log home manufacturing facilities and talk to their staff.  You will be relying on the capabilities and expertise of the company and it is important that you trust their abilities and integrity. Learn more about PrecisionCraft’s log home design services & manufacturing.

Over the past few years, the log and timber home industry has taken a new turn. Today the industry sees more and more homes combining log elements with timber frame components and conventional framing.

Employing a combination of materials and building styles is referred to as “hybrid” and is often done to achieve a particular design look. Many clients enjoy the flexibility in design that a hybrid log home allows. Below are a few examples illustrating how a combination of different materials can come together to create a truly amazing home:

• Crested Butte - A hybrid log home design of large stone, milled log walls, and customized timber frame trusses.
• Eagle’s Nest - A hybrid log & timber home; square milled log walls with dovetail corners and custom timber frame trusses.
• Upland Retreat - A handcrafted log & timber hybrid home; handcrafted wall logs and timber frame trusses, posts & roof.

Many designers will use timber and log elements in combination with conventional framing. Of course, the log & timber home purist prefers a more authentic log and timber style construction. But, decorative log and timber elements added to conventional framing can achieve a mountain flavor and sometimes save costs. This hybrid method is seen regularly in multi-unit condominiums and resort townhouses. Framing side wings in combination with a timber frame or log great room makes sense and can save in construction costs.

Log home construction, however, can be very difficult to combine with other types of construction if the log home company doesn’t utilize a non-settling system. If your goal is to decrease the cost to build your log home by mixing logs with framing or post & beam construction, remember to check out the company’s non-settling system.

With any home design, the creativity of the designer will dictate the materials to be used. Find a company that is flexible in their manufacturing so as to accommodate the creativity of your design. Providing your designer with a broad palette of materials including handcrafted log, milled log, timber, framing, glass, stone, steel and other materials creates more opportunity for a unique and creative custom home. The design must come first and the materials must then be able to accommodate.

A forest fire roared past our log cabin within a few feet of the front porch. The fire rolled up the canyons from the Salmon River where it started burning three neighboring cabins to their foundations. An older cabin on our property was also totally engulfed by flames and destroyed. Our main cabin was directly in the path of the fire as forest service hot shot crews pumped water from a creek in an attempt to save it. As a wall of fire approached our cabin, the firefighters were forced to flee fearing they would be surrounded without an escape route. By some miracle, the wind shifted at the last possible seconds moving the fire past without igniting our log cabin or an adjacent group of pine trees.

This is our family cabin. We built it in 1994 on an old mining claim that was passed down through my wife’s family. It’s located in the rugged mountains above the Salmon River next to the Gospel Wilderness in Central Idaho. This is some of the most primitive and undeveloped country remaining in the lower 48 states. The Salmon River, also known as “the river of no return,” is the longest un-damned and naturally flowing river remaining in the United States outside of Alaska. The Salmon traverses the entire midsection of Idaho joining the Snake River at the mouth of Hell’s Canyon to form the Columbia River. Over eons, the awesome hydraulic power of the Salmon and the Snake rivers cut deep canyons and gorges through the earth - deeper than even the Grand Canyon. During drought years, these tree lined canyons provide perfect tinder for forest fires. The steep grade and inaccessibility makes fighting fires almost impossible once they start. This summer, over 2 million acres have burned in Idaho – more burned acreage than all other States combined. It’s been a terrible year for fire and a terrible loss.

Our cabin is located more than 5,000 feet above the floor of the Salmon River. There is no cell or phone service, no electricity and the only running water is pumped from a creek that runs in front of the cabin. It’s barely accessible over a rough and rocky road that hasn’t been improved much since miners cut the road through forests and boulder fields for their horse drawn supply wagons. You really have to be motivated to get there but once you make the trip, the country is spectacular. The high mountain lakes are chocked full of cutthroat, brook and rainbow trout. There are deer, elk, moose, bear, mountain goat and bighorn sheep. In the sky, you will see bald and golden eagles, hawks and osprey to name a few. Wolves and cougars stalk the bigger animals while fox and coyotes hunt smaller prey. Every imaginable color of mountain flowers covers the glades and meadows surrounding our cabin.

My children have grown up looking forward to the annual journey to the cabin. They always liked being at the cabin more than any other activity. They are now young adults attending colleges out of State. When they talk about growing up in Idaho and childhood memories, inevitably it brings them back to the summers spent at the cabin exploring the mountains, hiking, fishing and horseback riding. As parents, it is the single best thing we’ve done for our kids - giving them the opportunity and time to be connected to the outdoors and each other.

Coming so close to losing our mountain home invoked the memories and emotions of all the precious time spent there with my family. At PrecisionCraft, we are lucky to be in the business of building “dream homes.” The prospect of losing my own dream home was a stark reminder of the importance of our work. It reminds me of the trust and faith our customers put in us when they make the decision to build their dream home. Our customers build their dream homes for many reasons – vacation, retirement - but most often, our log and timber homes are special places where the family gathers. Charles Dickens, who wrote several novels about orphaned children in search of a home said “Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.” Dickens was right - dream homes are special and magical. They are the setting where magical memories are formed and families and friendships connect.

It becomes our responsibility to do the best job possible for our customers in understanding their vision of their dream home. Making sure the design is right and the building process runs smooth is just the start of creating the magic of a dream home.

Find out how to contact PrecisionCraft for your own log home.

Customers often ask me “which is the best species” for a log home. There are many good species and most are appropriate for use in log homes and timber homes. Selection of the species often comes down to which one you like to look at most. However, in my humble opinion based on 20 years of log home experience, there is one wood species that seems to perform better when it comes to log homes and timber homes – West Coast Douglas Fir.

West Coast Douglas Fir is grows on the Pacific side of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.  Douglas Fir growing east of the Cascades is technically the same species but the high moisture and soil conditions of the Pacific Coastal Region produces much higher quality wood fiber than its inland cousin. The grain is straight with fewer knots and defect. The color of Douglas Fir varies from a yellow/white sapwood to a glowing brownish red heart wood. It takes stain and finish very well. Personally, I think Douglas Fir gives the best overall appearance.

Ask any framer that been in the business for awhile. The old salts will tell you about the good old days with most framing lumber was West Coast Douglas Fir.  It was straight, true and you could count on the quality. Today, the West Coast Douglas Fir is just too valuable to use in standard framing lumber. Most framing lumber is made from other lower quality species. The high quality Douglas Fir is reserved for timbers and finish boards.

Douglas Firs has the highest structural qualities of all of the softwoods. It is typically the species of choice by architects and engineers in structural applications. Most roof and truss members require the strength of Douglas Fir. In timber frame structures, Douglas Fir is the best choice. In a timber frame, most timber connections are structural and the timbers are typically load bearing. Using Douglas Fir in a timber frame structure gives the designer and engineer much more flexibility.

Of course, old growth Douglas Fir is protected – for good reason.  As an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council, we employ practices that are environmentally friendly such as utilizing second growth and plantation logs and timbers.

PrecisionCraft’s species of choice for log homes is West Coast Douglas Fir. We can get other species and the final decision is always up to our customers. But, if someone asks my opinion on which wood species is the best, I will always tell them that West Coast Douglas Fir is my personal preference.  

Most of our clients dream for years about building the log home or timber frame home of their dreams. Whether as a refuge for their family, a place to get back to nature, a custom designed log & timber home is a reward for a lifetime of accomplishment. But like everything else in life, cost is an inevitable consideration — the best way to avoid surprise and disappointment over the cost of your log & timber home is to establish a realistic turnkey budget at the outset of the conceptual design process.

Our experience in designing and producing over 2,000 log & timber homes has taught us that the critical first step in the design process is to calculate an estimated turnkey budget. Your turnkey budget is based on a number of factors: square footage of the home, complexity of the home, level of finishes in the home and geographical location being the most important factors influencing cost. The impact of square footage in the home is fairly straightforward — the bigger the house, the more building material that goes into the house. The complexity of a home’s design is probably the least understood factor impacting cost — the more corners, roof ridge lines and roof valleys, the higher the cost. On the other hand, a simple rectangular design with one roof ridge line is simpler, and therefore less expensive, to build. The level of finishes that you choose also has a dramatic impact on overall cost — granite counter tops, jacuzzi tubs, wide plank flooring, etc. are beautiful amenities, but are more expensive than formica counters, fiberglass tubs and carpet.

Lastly, the location of your land is a huge factor in turnkey costs — labor and some materials (though not the log & timber package that PrecisionCraft furnishes) are more expensive in Lake Tahoe or Aspen than in other, non-resort areas. Mountain Architects, Inc. — our architectural design firm, excels at designing beautiful homes, within your budget, whatever your budget. The last important fact to remember when going through the design and construction planning process of any log home is that, in addition to being the realization of a long-held dream, chances are good that it will also be a great investment for you and your family.

There is a great deal of interest in “green building”. But, what exactly is green building and how do you know if your builder is really complying with green building standards.

Green building can be defined in a number of ways. The goal of most people is to build their home with the least impact on the environment and promote indoor health and energy efficiency. This can be accomplished in many ways such as the use of natural materials that are free of toxins and low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds); using high energy efficiency products such as SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) and Low E windows; utilizing energy efficient appliances and HVAC systems and installing effacement sprinkler and water systems.

Most new construction is utilizing some form of green building. Builders and developers are recognizing that there is real value to the consumer in building green. But, how do you know if your home is really being constructed using the latest green building techniques.

The best way to insure that you are getting the real thing is to use a third party inspector or certifier under a recognized program. ENERGY STAR is a program that has been around for some time and takes into consideration the energy efficiency of the home. Another third party verified program is the LEED program. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed and is administered through the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the most comprehensive and well recognized third party verified green building program available and has been used in commercial construction for a several years. The USGBC has recently started LEED for Homes which is a pilot program established for residential structures.

The National Association for Home Builders (NAHB) has a green building program that is currently a self regulated checklist not requiring third party verification. However, the NAHB is now developing a certified program that is expected to be published later this year.

Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft are members of the USGBC and NAHB. We have been involved in the LEED for Homes pilot program, Energy Star and the NAHB green building initiatives. If you are interested in green building or getting more information on building a green log home, contact PrecisionCraft for further information.

A log home or a timber frame home? Alan Parrington wanted a different kind of home. When Alan Parrington approached the team at PrecisionCraft in April of 2002, he was ready to make his dream home a reality. Making his dream home a reality, however, wasn’t as easy as he expected it to be. Alan had trouble even finding a company that would create the home the way he wanted it - with exposed timber trusses as well as beams ornate with arches. After discussing the project with five different log & timber home providers, Alan decided on PrecisionCraft. According to Alan, “PrecisionCraft was the most cooperative, the most flexible in accommodating his needs, and the most excited to take on the project.”

Using PrecisionCraft’s Boisean model as a starting point, Alan worked with our in-house, architects to design his perfect home. After expanding the floorplan and enlarging the rooms, Alan saw his vision come to life. According to Alan, it was his “complete access to the design team” that made his vision a success.

“I wanted everything. I had a list of a hundred things I had to have. Fortunately, the team at PrecisionCraft was there to guide me; help me understand the impact of what I wanted on the overall design and cost of my home. PrecisionCraft kept me from making terrible mistakes.”

At PrecisionCraft, we believe in providing more than a log & timber home package; we believe in providing a service, a solution to the complicated process of building your home . This service meant the world to Alan. After comparing prices for several log & timber home providers, Alan points out, “I just couldn’t get the same service from any other log & timber home provider. The service is what I wanted.” The service is what made Alan’s dream a reality.

Our PrecisionCraft team continues to focus on providing a service. We provide complete access to our in-house, degreed architects, a full line of products to match the design of your home, and assistance in the construction of your home. Our dedication to service continues to set us apart from other log home & timber home providers.

Subcontractors and tradesman are scrambling to line up jobs for the 2007 building season. New construction has been in a slump for over a year and many production and spec builders have significantly cut back building new units in an effort to reduce inventories. The cut back has left many of the subcontractors and tradesman looking for work or laying off employees.

The National Association of Home Builders single-family Housing Market Index has risen systematically from the lowest point last September, showing that builders’ assessments of the demand side of the market have been on the mend following the sharp contraction from the highs of mid-2005. Most indicators show that housing has past the bottom and demand will begin to increase. Higher demand will translate into high prices for labor and materials.

For prospective custom home buyers, now is the best opportunity to lock up builders and subcontractors. Those who delay starting their building project much longer in hopes that they will find even better deals will be disappointed. As the housing market starts to heat up again, builders and subcontractors will be filling their schedules. Now is the time to begin your dream log home.

The Houseal Non-Settling System™ is the most significant innovation in log home construction since the invention of the chain saw. The Houseal Non-Settling (HNS) System™ prevents logs from settling and solves a host of potential problems for log home builders and homeowners.

Settling in log homes has always been an issue, adding cost and complexity to log home construction. Using traditional methods of construction, logs are stacked horizontally one on top of the other (either scribed or chinked). Because logs tend to shrink and settle over time, the multiple layers of logs compound the effect of wood shrinkage. A traditional 10’ log wall will settle upward of 6 to 8 inches depending upon the moisture content of the logs. Special log home construction methods must be employed to counter the effects of settling. The use of settling jacks, slip joints, and oversized trim and fascia are normal techniques used in traditional log home construction. In addition, constant maintenance is required until the logs have fully settled.

The Houseal Non-Settling System™ is a patented method of constructing log homes that ensures logs will not settle. The HNS System was developed by Barry Houseal, a well known structural engineer and log home expert. The basic premise of the HNS System is fairly simple. Each log layer is held in place by a column of steel pipe and pins. The steel pipe prevents the logs from moving down with gravity. Each log layer and the roof members are supported by the steel pipe.

View the Houseal Non-Settling System™ for handcrafted log homes.

View the Houseal Non-Settling System™ for milled log homes.

Architects and designers love the HNS System because it gives much more flexibility in the use of log elements. Builders love the HNS System because it eliminates settling jacks, trim boards and other construction techniques necessary to counter log settling. Engineers love the HNS System because the steel adds strength to the log walls.

PrecisionCraft has chosen to use the Houseal Non-Settling System™ in all Handcrafted Log Homes and Milled Log Homes. We believe the HNS System is an innovation that adds significant value for our log home homeowners.