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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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January/February 2008 (Volume 3, Issue 1):
Tip of the Month: The Art of Log Home Shopping
Shopping for a log home can be a challenging experience today. There are hundreds of log home manufacturers, from small "mom & pop" operations to large corporate organizations. Finding the company and local dealer representative that's right for you takes some due diligence on your part. This process of investigation and evaluation (shopping) is an important part of the log home experience and, if done well, can help you realize your dream of living in a log home.
I've outlined one approach that can help make the Art of Log Home Shopping a fun and rewarding experience. Good luck!
1. Preliminary research:
A great way to begin your log home education is to do your own preliminary research. Today you have a powerful information resource in the Internet. Most log home manufacturers have a website that can offer a plethora of information. Plus many dealer representatives have websites that explain their offered services. But your first stop on the web should be the Log Homes Council website (www.loghomes.org). The Log Home Council is a national organization and is part of the National Association of Home Builders. Its members are made up of log home manufacturers that promote quality building systems and ethical business practices designed to benefit log home customers. There is a gold mine worth of information about log homes on this site. Make sure the companies on your short list are members.
Here a few log home research fundamentals:
- Find log home dealers in your geographic area and make a list
- Learn about different log species
- Learn about package content
- Learn about construction methods
- Learn about air drying versus kiln drying logs
- Learn about settling and shrinkage of logs
- Learn about design and engineering
- Learn about log home exterior finishes and maintenance
- Learn about log profiles and log corners styles
- Learn about log fastening methods, especially log butt joints and corners
- Learn about construction methods
Here are a few websites to get you started:
2. Wants and Needs Assessment:
A true assessment of your lifestyle needs is an important exercise that can help you define your log home company (and further along in the process your design). If you can articulate your wants and your needs, then you'll know what to look for in a log home company. So get your pen and paper and start defining.
- Define the purpose of the log home. Will the log home be a full-time home, vacation home, retirement home, rental home, etc.?
- Define how you plan to use the log home. How many people will live in the home, will you entertain often, will you spend most of the time indoors or outdoors, will visiting friends and relatives stay with you, etc.?
- Create two separate lists. One list should include items that you "wish" to have and one list should include items that you "need" to have in your log home. Keep an open mind when creating these lists and be ready to compromise.
- Checkout the log home magazines, the Internet and other resources for ideas that represent your needs & wishes. Create a file system of that information so you can share them with your dealer and builder during the preliminary design phase.
I'll cover more on this in April's newsletter -- Design Basics.
3. Make a short list:
Can you over shop? The answer is yes. Too many companies under consideration at one time will be a confusing experience as you sift through piles of information and try to make apples to oranges comparisons. Narrow your list using your new log home knowledge, combined with your wants/needs list to help determine your top companies to pursue. Here are some tips:
- Your short list should include at least two, but no more than four companies.
- Keep in mind, if you take your short list through this process and still can not selected a company/dealer, then create another short list and take them through this process.
- Here are some examples of things you might want to consider: longevity in the industry, size of the company, local dealer in my backyard, species and quality of wood used, package content, the method of fastening the logs together, how the butt joints are connected and sealed, dealer experience in the industry, air drying vs. kiln drying, how the corners are constructed (notch and pass vs. butt and pass), do they offer engineered plans, understanding snow loads, custom design service, option offerings, etc.
- Geography in my opinion matters. Find dealers that represent manufacturers that interest you within driving distance. Here are some advantages to being close. The dealer will have a network of recommended builders, the dealer may also offer construction services (like us!) for that one-stop shopping aspect, you'll get to visit a dealer model, request to visit those dealers customers homes for a tour and chat, service after the sale, and more.
4. Contact a local dealer representative:
Now it's time to actually speak with someone. Before you pick up the phone, prepare a list of questions (even if you know the answer) and ask them. A quality dealer will be more than happy to discuss log home fundamentals and speak more specifically about their products and services. Make sure to take notes!
Still don't know what questions to ask? Contact me and I'll be happy to help you develop your list of questions.
TIP: From your conversations with each dealer representative, rate them for knowledge of log home basics, their products and services, rapport, experience, etc.
5. Attend a log home show:
Shows are a great way to enhance your log home education. Here are some tips that can help make your log home show visit a fun and informative experience.
- Make a game plan: Find out what log home companies are participating in the show. If the show is advertised as a "log home and timber frame show," it's a good bet that all the players in the industry will be there. Select which companies you plan to visit. Bring a list of your questions and be ready to take notes. Trust me on this one -- if you don't take notes, by the time you leave the show, much of the information will run together.
- Don't be shy: Each booth will have local or regional dealers and often corporate staff that represent each log home company. It's a good chance to meet the individual who maybe selling you the log home package. The representatives are there to answer your questions and explain their products and services, so take advantage of it! Keep in mind, you're not only comparing log home companies, package quality and content, you're also evaluating the local dealer representative. A more proactive approach is to call the local dealer representatives on your list and speak with them before you attend. Tell them you're attending the show and would like to meet them to learn more about their products and services.
- Attend more than one day: Most shows are from two to four days long, so consider attending more than one day. Multiple visits will allow you to spend more time with each company representative. Make a list of which companies you plan to visit by day. Budget some free time to walk around and speak with other companies that are not on your short list. The extra days will give you the opportunity to reflect on what you've learned and you can return with additional questions.
- Attend the free seminars: During the show, some log home companies will conduct free seminars. There's good general information and often a Q&A session. Remember to take notes.
Are you looking for a log home show to attend? On the left navigation bar, click "Find a Log Home Show".
6. Schedule a model home visit:
Most dealer representatives have a model home that is open to potential customers to show off their quality materials and craftsmanship. When visiting the model allow time to walk through the home and pay close attention to the details. Bring your camera and take lots of photos. Also, plan to spend some time talking with the dealer about your project in more detail. Also request to tour and speak with his customers. This experience will go along way towards helping you determine which log home manufacturer and dealer is best for you.
TIP: From each log home visit, rate them for quality of materials, construction, what they had to say about their dealer and builder, etc.
Featured Floorplan: Bristol III
3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Main level: 1,414 sq. ft.
Second level: 501 sq. ft.
Total: 1,915 sq. ft.
One of our most popular homes, this 3-bedroom plan features a prow in the great room with cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass. The large kitchen is great for entertaining guests, and the private loft is the perfect place to relax when they're gone.
For more floorplans access our floorplans database.
Click for more information or to download a PDF of this floorplan!
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!
