Not going to talk to much about log home plans, log home companies and such today. I've covered log home packages and prices already. I'm going to touch on log home plans a bit here. In the log home design stage it is very easy to get ahead of yourself. Don't get me wrong, you can't spend too much time thinking of your dream log home plan. However, if you don't have your land/lot to build on you may be ahead of yourself. Over the years in your mind and in sketches you have pictured the perfect log home plan. It is now time to search for the perfect building site for that log home plan. I've seen this happen before, people have found the perfect lot but are let down just a bit because that log home design they wanted just doesn't work right with the lot. It could be the view, contour or lake shore to name just a few game changers in the log home planning stage. Also, the lot may dictate whether you can have a walkout basement, full basement, crawlspace or slab. All of these options can change the budget. I put an eight foot basement under my log home but have a high water table where I'm at so could only go down a few feet. That resulted in my house sticking up out of the ground more than I wanted to I had to pay for fill to be hauled in and I built the grade up around the foundation. I have great drainage away from the house now!
I've also ran across people in the process that are trying to get rather hard numbers on build costs without own land. It is so hard for us to do that. We can ballpark and break it down in a few options but the lot conditions impact build costs in so many ways.
Designing a log home is a lot of fun and means you are getting closer to the start date. Think it out and take your time. Ask for advice from others but be careful...remember that everyone has an opinion of what their perfect floor plan is so don't get too caught up in what everyone says! If your budget without well and septic is $300,000 and the log home companies you have interviewed have given you some rough build costs numbers to help you design the plan. If you are hearing $150/square foot then you will be at 2000 sq. ft at the most. Remember appliances, floor coverings and a few extras add up in a hurry. Are you going full log? If so, keep in mind windows can't be right at an outside corner. There needs to be a bit of log length between the corner and a window or door opening. Think about what you want on the interior partition walls while planning. Some go all wood while others will incorporate drywall to break it up and add some color to the home. Photos help! If you have any, pass them on to us so we know what you are picturing. It all helps. All of these details ahead of time will speed up drawing and bidding time to keep the log home planning stage moving right along.
Keep it fun and if it gets too overwhelming at times just walk away and take a quick break from it.
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