Handcrafted Log Home FAQ

Sue | May 12th, 2010 - 11:20 am

Handcrafted Log Home Frequently Asked Questions

Recently I had a very good conversation with a customer who was considering our handcrafted log homes. I am constantly writing personalized emails, but I thought that this information was a good summation of some of our more frequent questions.

Hi,
Thank you for your interest in our homes. Yes, we do offer four species for the handcrafted log homes to include a variety for our customers. The vast majority of our homes are custom designs, that is why we provide a price range verses specific prices. Once a customer has a floor plan they like, then we can submit it to our mill for a custom quote.
The price range of 70-90 is a guideline. The Lodge Pole and Englemann Spruce homes tend to fall more towards the $70 end, the Douglas Fir is more towards the middle, and the Western Red Cedar would fall closer to the $90 range. Right now about 80% of our handcrafted homes right now are Douglas Fir, but a customer can choose whatever species they want.
For the dry in roof, no we do not supply the insulation. Many homeowners are choosing spray foam, and of course that has to be purchased from a spray foam contractor when they come and apply it to the home. The R factor you gain is based on how thick you have it applied. We have also found that if someone wants standard insulation that it is more cost effective for them to purchase it locally than to pay to have it shipped from our mill.
Yes, we do put character logs and log accents where ever someone wants them added. That is not a problem.
For the gable ends, standardly we use solid log to the top of the wall (approximately 9′), and then the gable end is framed and log siding or wood siding is installed over the framed wall. We have done some homes with solid log gables, but only if the design is structurally sound. It is less expensive to do the framed wall and then log side it. We do have a true match 4″x12″ true match log siding that looks great on the homes. Attached is a picture of a 12″ Swedish Cope handcrafted shell that was built last summer. If you look carefully you can see solid log gables for some of them.
One of the biggest issues is the shrinkage. By using framing lumber on the ends is limits the amount of area of shrinkage. The second picture I attached is of a handcrafted log home. All of the dormers are shown in the handcrafted 4″x12″ log siding. The log siding is hand peeled to match the home.
The some interior solid log walls are found in most of our homes and is included in the 70-90 estimate. The main time that an interior solid log wall is added is for increased structural soundness. For example in the attached floor plan for the Balmoral the solid wall on the inside of the floor plan are solid log. Notice the heavy lines on the inside walls of the home that run parallel down the sides of the great room. Those are designed as solid log walls. The thinner lines for the closets, etc are framed walls.
We can also supply 1×6 tongue and groove or log siding for the inside framed walls as well.
If you already have a plan that you like, we are happy to submit it for a quote.  We can also do a custom layout or modify an existing plan. It is also fine to give us one from a plan book. It is also helpful if we have any outside elevations that may come with the floor plan. That way the price quote estimate is based on as many details as we can.
Yes, we are low on ranches– and are working to improve that. But one other option is to look at the floor plans that have open lofts and just leave the loft out of the plan. The Callaghan is one that would fit into this category. Link:  http://cowboyloghomes.com/callaghan-floor-plan-1763-sq-ft
Also the Montana: Link http://cowboyloghomes.com/montana-floor-plan-1932-sq-ft
The Chinook H.C. (hand crafted log homes) http://cowboyloghomes.com/chinook-hc-floor-plan-1820-sq-ft
The Balmoral http://cowboyloghomes.com/balmoral-floor-plan-1936-sq-ft
and a few others.
The North Pole and the Malakwa are ranches already. The North Pole is also shown in the handcrafted log.
The sample floor plans are simply a place to start.
Thank you again for your interest. Our homes are of the utmost quality and craftsmanship. I could also send your one of our plan books if you email me your address.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Also if you are even in Montana you are welcome to stop by our log home for a visit. We are located about 8 miles from the Bozeman airport.
Building Log Dreams,
Mike Lemmon
Cowboy Log Homes
406-388-3458
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Any projected costs, cost estimates, material costs, and estimated construction/ building costs, are only the opinion of Cowboy Log Homes and are drawn from our experience. Every home is custom tailored to meet our individual client's wants and desires. The construction of a log or timber home is based on two primary costs: material provided by Lake Country Log Homes 2009 LTD. and construction costs contracted with Cowboy Log Homes as the builder or another builder of the customer's choice. Cowboy Log Homes is an authorized representative for Lake Country Log Homes. Final costs are obtained and contracted with each respectively. Cowboy Log Homes is simply the "glue" that helps bring these two together to provide a final calumniation of a customer's project.
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