The Basics of Planning and Building a Log Home or Timber Frame Home –
Here’s a link to a recorded webinar (free) hosted by Honest Abe Vice President Jeff Clements and the editors of Log Home Living Magazine. It guides you through considerations for designing and building a log or timber home and includes many beautiful photos as illustrations. Enjoy the webinar on your tablet, phone or computer at your own pace, and watch as many times as you like.Click here to begin the webinar.
Now for some additional assistance, let’s review the steps you’ll need to consider in planning, designing, financing, building and decorating your log home, timber frame home or log cabin.
Step 1: Research
Researching log homes can be a fun process, and there are plenty of educational outlets available. Websites, magazines, home shows and local events are all available and dedicated to log, timber frame and rustic homes.
Be sure to take notes! There’s more than one way to build a log home, so you’ll be exposed to a variety of information. Keep a binder where you can store magazine clippings of articles and pictures, or gather information directly from the Internet. Once you’ve identified a few companies to focus on, start digging into the details. Talk with their staff, visit their manufacturing headquarters (so you can see the product first-hand) and attend their seminars or log raisings. This is a great way to identify which company will best suit your plans and vision for your new home.
Step 2: Purchase Land Early
Purchasing your land and building equity into it is more important than ever because of lending practices. However, don’t rush into the choice. It may seem like the perfect property for you, but is it suitable for building the home you want? Zoning and environmental restrictions are not always obvious, so make sure there are no underlying issues. Other issues that may not be immediately obvious could be access to utilities and water, restrictive community covenants and land percolation suitable for a septic system.
Step 3: Set Goals & Establish a Time Line
It’s important to have a plan, especially when building a new home. Some people build within a year of starting the process, while others may take several years. In either case, setting goals and establishing a time line to build will help you reach important milestones for paying off the land you’ve purchased in time to build or saving for a down payment on the project.
Step 4: Create a Budget & Pre-qualify
With a time line in place, it’s time to set an overall budget. What can you afford? Take the first step with a lender and pre-qualify for the loan. It can be very educational and allow you to plan realistically and responsibly. A variety of lenders is available and will lend to qualified people building log and timber homes. If you need help finding a good fit, talk to one of the manufacturers (like Honest Abe) on the short list from your research.
Step 5: Start Preliminary Design & Wish List
For many, the journey of building a log or timber home started years ago. Now is the time to get the ideas and expectations on paper. Separate the “must-haves” from the amenities you would include if the budget allows. Start playing with design ideas, and remember that most major manufacturers, including Honest Abe, will design a custom home for you with no added expense over a standard model.
Step 6: Order Blueprints, Apply for Loan
It’s now time to decide on a floor plan and manufacturer for your home. The design process will begin, and you’ll be able to start the loan process too. Working with the manufacturer to get your plans just the way you want them will be an exciting process!
Step 7: Get Construction Estimates & Interview Builders
With your new home plans in hand, it’s time to start getting estimates. This will help confirm that your plans meet your proposed budget and help determine your total loan amount. This is the perfect opportunity to interview sub-contractors and general contractors. Ask for references on their work, and follow up before making a choice. If your manufacturer offers building services, make sure the contract you sign is with the manufacturer and not the builder. Some companies will have a program, like Honest Abe’s HELP Build Program, to put you in touch with sub-contractors with whom they have experience.
Step 8: Pick a General Contractor
Based on your experiences through gathering the estimates and talking with contractors, choose a General Contractor to direct the project. Many banks now require a licensed G.C. to manage the construction, but in some cases you may be able to serve in that capacity. Either way, there are various benefits and responsibilities.
Step 9: Finalize Loan
You have the hard numbers, the G.C. is ready and the manufacturer you have picked is awaiting the deposit to create your new custom log home. Since applying for the loan in Step 6, you have been in frequent contact with your lender, which is key, because the time this process can take varies. It’s time to sign on the dotted line!
Step 10: Order Package & Place Deposit
A deposit is required to manufacture your custom home, with the balance due when delivered. It’s an exciting time! It’s been a long road, but one with great rewards at the end, and you are finally nearing it. In a matter of weeks, construction will likely begin.
