Within the scope of this article, we are going to price out the turnkey on three of our most popular models including the Bridger, the Madison, and the Sierra stock plans. The turnkey estimate is based on a cost per square foot of living space of $325 to $350 per square foot. This includes the home on the foundation of your choice — cement slab, four-foot crawlspace, or full unfinished basement.
The Bridger log home plan is 1,386 square feet. Based on $325 to $350 per square foot, we guestimate the turnkey to range between about $451,000 and $485,000. Things not included in this estimate are the cost of the property, well, septic, permits, tieing into any public utilities, alternative electric source, propane tanks, driveway, landscaping, or garage. These are in addition to the cost of the house construction but are usually supervised by the general contractor within the scope of a full turnkey construction contract.
The Madison log home plan is 1,482 square feet. Based on the $325 to $350 per square foot of living space, we estimate this turnkey at about $482,000 to $520,000. The same package inclusions and exclusions as detailed above also apply to this plan.
Cost of Construction $482,000 to $520,000
Property cost is in addition.
Utilities cost in addition.
Garage, Landscaping, Outbuildings in addition.
The Sierra log home plan is 1,664 square feet. Based on the $325 to $350 per square foot of living space, we come to an estimate of $535,000 to $585,000 for a turnkey. The same package inclusions and exclusions as detailed above apply to this plan.
Cost of Construction $535,000 to about $585,000.
Property cost is in addition.
Utilities cost is in addition.
Garage, Landscaping, Outbuildings in addition.
There are options within the turnkey solution contract that do not change the price of the construction. One such option is minor modifications to the plan that do not change the footprint or the structure of the plan. Owners are welcome to modify existing floor plans to fit their needs. Even major changes like adding a few feet to a home are fine. When changes are made we simply calculate out the difference in materials needed to make the change possible, but the design costs remain the same.
Another option is your choice of foundation. There is no cost difference to design a home on a full unfinished basement, a crawl space, or a cement slab.
Log homes offer much flexibility which can be planned for in the design stage. The worst option is to try to make changes after the home is under construction. Changes at that point in time always cost more time and money than if the change was made during the design.
Please bear in mind these are only cost estimates. Final costs are based on the exact design and finish materials chosen by the owners. And as always, planning ahead is always wise.