Michigan Custom Log Homes: September 2007 Newsletter

Welcome to The Leelanau Log Home Company E-NEWSLETTER. Our free electronic newsletter offers helpful tips and suggestions on buying, building and owning a log home.

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About The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC
The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC is an authorized independent dealer for The Original Lincoln Logs LTD serving the Great State of Michigan. In addition, we offer complete construction and general contracting services, site evaluation/planning, custom design service plus much more. Let our experience, craftsmanship and professional customer service go to work for you!

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September 2007 (Volume 2, Issue 3):

Tip of the Month: Site Preparation and Planning Basics
Proper site preparation and planning is a key step in the building process. If not well thought-out, it could lead to building complications, delays, cost overruns, disappointing views and the unexpected -- turning your dream into a nightmare. Selecting that perfect location to build your dream log home will include several related considerations. Things to consider:

Walk your property. Spend time walking your property to find the best footprint for your log home. Invite your builder and/or log home dealer to walk the property with you and let them offer their suggestions. Their experience and knowledge in conjunction with your needs can help you determine the best location.
Soil conditions. Soil testing evaluates the drainage rate/absorption and composition. Usually this percolation test (often referred to as a "perc test") is conducted prior to purchasing the land to help determine if the soil can support a septic system and drainfield. Also, this test will tell you the ground-water tables and soil types. This information is critical if you use a septic system and can determine the location of your home.
Positioning the home and solar angles. Evaluate the position of your home on your site and how the solar angles may or may not benefit you. It's true that proper positioning can lower energy heating bills and impact the overall comfort. Here are some options:
- If you want to take advantage of the suns solar heat in the winter, you need to have windows facing the sun in the afternoon toward the west or southwest (note: to prevent solar heat gain in the summer, consider bigger overhangs or prow roof lines over large areas of glass. This will help block the sun during the summer months when the sun is higher in the sky).
- Position your home with windows facing the north or northeast if you don't want the solar heat, especially in the summer months.
- If you like the sun in the morning hours, face the windows toward the southeast.
  Other things to consider: how does your design take advantage of the natural sun light? Which rooms will be used at what time of the day? Based on the solar angles and position of the home, do you want to increase or decrease the window sizes or amount of windows? What role will the existing trees play? What about when trees mature 15 years? The geeks have the solar angles figured out -- Google "solar angles," "sun angles" or "sun path" for the technical info.
Log home maintenance considerations. Exposures to ultraviolet (UV) light or sun light will degrade the exterior finish's ability to protect your log home over time. Areas of your log home that have the most sun exposure will probably require recoating more frequently than areas that don't. Consider the solar angles above, shade from trees, etc.
Set backs. Check with your local building department or zoning officer to find the set backs for all sides of your property. You'll want to make sure that your building site meets those local set back requirements.
Drainage, controlling runoff and erosion. If your building site presents these challenges, you may be required to submit a plan for control during the permit process. However, even after the construction has been completed, controlling runoff and erosion may be an issue. Your budget should include room for effective control to protect the environment.
Wetlands and protected areas. Does your property include wetlands or protected areas? If so, there are state and federal regulations to protect wetlands. You should educate yourself so you and your builder don't intrude on them during the site planning development and construction process.
Driveway. If your home is off the beaten path and you have a long driveway, consider the maintenance, cost of blacktopping and sealing, snow plowing in winter, access in winter months, emergency service access, etc.
Utilities. First learn what utility services are offered in the area. For example, if your building site is 1000 feet from the main road, you'll have to budget more dollars to bring services to you, such as electricity, water, sewer, gas, cable and telephone. Or you may opt for a private well, septic system, bottled gas, etc. Once you have determined which services you need, contact those utilities for a cost quote to bring their service to you. Your builder or general contractor may also handle this for you.
The view. Consider your properties unique settings and views. Which windows do you want to capture that breathtaking view of the lake, river, mountain range, etc.?
Building access. If your log home is being built in a remote setting, does the location offer enough room for the builder to stage materials and equipment? Can suppliers get close to the building site with large trucks? Complicated settings can add costs if the building site has these challenges. Discuss this point with your builder and log home dealer.
Future buildings. Do you plan to build a future pole barn, garage, guest house, etc.? If so, the location of your log home in relation to the future building should be determined before you start.
Landscaping. Consider if the site you've chosen will present any landscaping challenges, like retaining walls, extreme slope angles, extra maintenance, etc.
Develop a site plan design on paper. Evaluate all the considerations and prioritize them. It's best if your work with your builder and/or log home dealer to complete this plan design.
You have lots of things to consider when selecting that perfect location for your log home. The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC offers free site planning service. Let's take a walk; call us today to arrange a meeting at your future log home site.

Featured Floor Plan: Grand Summit

2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom
Main level: 864 sq. ft.
Second level: 300 sq. ft.
Total: 1,164 sq. ft.

Here's a comfortable 2-bedroom chalet that can be adjusted to fit a number of needs. The flexible, attractive design works well as a starter or retirement home, a family retreat or as income property.

Click to download this floor plan.

For more floorplans access our floor plans database.

The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC
Brad Karikomi & Jim Coyle
Model home address:
1310 S. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Leelanau , Michigan 49653
Business mailing address:
PO Box 309 , Interlochen , Michigan 49643
Office: 231-275-5647
Mobile : 231-668-1465
Fax: 231-275-0400

The Lincoln Logs Advantage click here to find out why!