Shipping is always a good question when considering a log home. There are several factors that should be remembered when asking this ‘loaded’ question. Recently a customer approached us about shipping to an Eastern State. With some figuring we came up with an estimated cost of about $7,000 per truck. That may sound astronomical to some, but let’s dig a little deeper into that cost and what you are actually getting in one of our homes.

Shipping is very hard to quote because the cost of diesel is constantly changing. Recently we shipped a handcrafted log home to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the cost was $3,900. That was for a distance of about 913 miles. So with some simple math, that comes to about $4 per loaded mile. Trucking companies which ship the handcrafted log homes are more expensive because these homes need special handling and special trailer set ups to keep the logs from being damaged in transit. When a milled log home or traditional timber frame is being transported then a regular material truck can be used. A material truck right now costs an estimated $3.30 per loaded mile.

Another example in the spring of 2011 the shipping cost for the North Pole plan to Belgrade Montana included three loads. One truck was material truck and two handcrafted log trucks for a total of $12,600.

Handcrafted Log Home Shell Loaded

The way we handle shipping costs is the customer pays the trucking company directly on arrival of their home. Lake Country schedules the truck and loads it, but the shipping cost is never marked up by Lake Country Log Homes or us as dealers.

So how do companies do it who offer, “Free Shipping”? Well, as with most free things there are other ways that the customer really pays for it. Most companies simply mark up the package to cover whatever the shipping cost is. Many people hate hidden costs. In order to offer the very best value for their dollar, it is best for us and the customer to simply quote shipping separately.

There is one helpful option that we do offer customers. And that is to simply sell them whatever will fit on the truck or trucks after the logs are loaded. This can be calculated ahead of time and gives the home owner more flexibility. We truly believe that our homes are the very best on the market and worth the cost, so let us go the extra mile and custom quote a home for you.

Log Home Truck Headed Your Way