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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April/May 2008 (Volume 3, Issue 3):
Log Home I.Q. Workshop: 2008 Fall/Winter Dates Now Available
- Want to increase your log home I.Q.?
- Are you 9-24 months away from building your log home?
- Baffled by the overwhelming amount of information?
- Confused about the log home buying and building process?
- Want to know the project cost by creating your own budget based on your custom design?
If you answered "YES" to all of these questions, this workshop maybe for you.
The Leelanau Log Home Company Log Home I.Q. Workshop is a customized, fun and informative program tailored to your specific log home project. Because this workshop is customized around you, to attend you must pre-register and meet certain requirements. There are no generalities here.
We developed this workshop to help folks successfully navigate through the confusing experience of shopping, buying and building a log home. There are absolutely no high pressure sales tactics or sales gimmicks and no cost or obligation -- just honest answers to your questions with the information that you want to know. Each workshop is limited to three couples/individuals and scheduled dates will fill up fast. To learn more, please contact Brad at 231-275-5647.
Lincoln Logs Ltd. 2008 May Promotion
Save thousands off your custom log home package. Click here to see how.
Still thinking about building your dream log home this year?
Our construction company has one remaining opening in 2008 to start your log home project. Contact us today to learn about special incentives and to discuss the details of your project.
Tip of the Month: Successful Design Basics, Eight ways to save costs on your log home
1. Design and Engineering:
We recommend that when shopping for a log home company, they offer in-house drafting and engineering services. These important services offer you the assurance that the components of the home package will work together properly, reducing the risk of structural and performance issues. Since each log home is custom designed, you want to make sure that it's engineered to meet building codes for your area. Some companies outsource this important service. Think of your log home as a "system." Expert drafting and engineering, combined with a builder who is skilled in log home construction, will result in a quality-built custom home that will last for generations.
2. Shape of the log home:
Log homes are labor intensive to build, which is one of the factors that affect the higher labor rate versus a conventional stick-built home. The shape of your log home can influence the labor cost. The more complicated the design, i.e. the more inside and outside corners, built-up roof systems, multiple roof pitches, etc. that a log home has, the more it will cost to build. The key here is to work with your log home dealer and builder on your design to benefit from their experience. They can offer you suggestions with options to create the log home of your dreams while achieving the look you want at a cost that works within your budget.
3. Style and size of the log:
For many the style and diameter of the log profile is tops on their "needs" list. Did you know the most common log profile is the D-log, which industry insiders say accounts for 70% of all the log home packages sold in the United States?
Typically if you want a larger log diameter, expect to pay increased labor costs for construction due to the weight of the logs (additional labor required) and equipment needed to erect the log home. Some round profiles will even add labor cost to install interior trim, fixtures, etc. If you're on a tight budget, stick with the D-log profile and invest your resources in other important areas of the home.
4. Design down, not up or out:
For many, the basement is a place for a workshop, storage, utility room, etc. To maximize your cost per square foot, why not consider designing living space in the basement during the preliminary planning process. Here are some advantages:
- The basement with living space offers you the lowest cost per square foot in the home.
- You can reduce the size of the log home and actually increase your total living square feet by utilizing the space in the basement.
- If your land offers the option for a walkout basement, you have lots of design opportunities to save big bucks.
- This is a great way to stretch that investment dollar and give you the room that you need.
5. Sweat Equity:
This term is often defined as when you as the homeowner perform some or all of the construction yourself. Many log home builders or general contractors are flexible and will allow you to perform certain tasks or phases to save costs. However, let me throw in a few words of caution. If you plan to do some of the work, you'll need to make sure you have the time and skills required to perform the work in a timely manner. Not meeting the scheduled deadlines may impact you with additional costs or delays in your project. The bottom line is that you can save thousands by performing some of the things yourself. Work with your builder or general contractor to develop a timeline of the work you plan to complete yourself. They can help you determine how much time it will take and how much you will save.
Another way to save substantial costs is to act as your own general contractor. You can save 10-15% off your total project costs. A general contractor's responsibility includes:
- secures bids from qualified sub-contractors
- schedules the work to be performed
- orders job materials as needed
- works with sub-contractors and evaluates their performance
- works with the homeowner for material selections
- is on the job site daily to review progress
- completes the paperwork for the bank and title company
- eeps the project moving forward coordinating all of the above
As you see the general contractor is like the "quarterback" of the project, which is a full-time job. If you don't have the time, people or project management skills, let a professional handle this for you.
6. Upgrade later:
Certain parts of your log home may be delayed or planned for the future as time or money or both present themselves. These can include:
- finishing off the basement
- delay landscaping
- delay decks
- delay sunrooms
- delay garages
- carpet versus hardwood flooring
- opt for laminate countertops now instead granite
- opt for a smaller log home with the option to build an addition at a future date.
Let the dealer and builder know what items you plan to delay. They can offer you other ideas, plus armed with the knowledge there may be upgrades in the future, they can design them in during the build to make them easier to install.
7. Allow sufficient time for preliminary planning:
Many folks don't allow enough time to do the proper preliminary planning. So much time and effort is spent shopping for a log home company/dealer/builder that not enough time is dedicated to the discussion, evaluation and determination of all the project specifics or what we call "preliminary planning." The time invested in this stage can save you big bucks by a well thought-out project plan.
Here are five tips to follow during the preliminary planning phase:
1. Develop a "needs and wants" list for your log home
2. Be able to clearly articulate your log home vision in detail to your dealer and builder
3. Plan on several scheduled meetings with your dealer and builder to discuss your project
4. Disclose future additions, upgrades, etc., during this phase
5. Be able to define your project budget and communicate this information with your dealer/builder
8. Think Green:
Green building has many definitions today, but at the core of this movement is energy efficiency. By thinking Green during your preliminary planning phase and incorporating the concept into your design, you can save money during the life of the home. Here are a few ways to save operating costs by thinking Green:
- Position your home on your site to take advantage of passive solar gain that can save you big bucks on heating and cooling. You'll need to determine room and window placement within the home design. Read more about this topic in our September 2007 E-newsletter on our website: www.leelanauloghomes.com
- Consider the square foot of each room. Do you really need a 24' x 20' Great room? Can the design incorporate the kitchen square foot with the Great room? Remember, all that space needs to be heated and cooled.
- Volume of the home does matter. Just consider that if you increase the wall height from a standard 8' to 12', you'll need to heat and cool an additional 25% more volume of air. Consider only higher ceilings in areas that create the ambience you are looking for, while keeping lower ceiling heights in areas such as bedrooms.
- What type of insulation you use can make a big difference in your operating cost. The most common is batt fiberglass, but today you have several other options. Those include rigid foam, loose fill or spray foam. Each has different initial price points and R-values and, depending on your application, can mean big savings in energy costs for the life of your home.
- Determine what type of heating and cooling system your budget will allow. For example, conventional gas forced air systems are most common, but the cost of fuel for these systems can make you take another look at systems that could be more efficient over the life of the home. Consider this example, if you upgrade to a geo-thermal system, your initial investment will be 50-60% higher than a typical gas forced air system, but the cost savings on these systems offer pay back within 7-10 years. That translates into energy cost savings that could mean up to $2,000 per year on heating costs alone. Combined with other heat sources, such as a high efficiency engineered fireplace, energy efficient systems can save you big bucks.
The Leelanau Log Home Company Team is ready to help you design a log home that is perfect for you. We're experienced log home designers and custom home builders. Contact us today if you have questions, would like to know more or would like to schedule a no-obligation design consultation.
Call us at 231-275-5647 or email us at sales@leenanauloghomes.com
Frequently Asked Questions: Part 2
Here is part two in a series of three for frequently asked questions with our responses. We hope you find this informative and useful.
I have already purchased land. What services do you provide to find the right floor plan that will fit my land?
One of our many services is site evaluation and site planning. We'll walk your land with you and offer expert advice on the style(s) of home that will best fit your land, lifestyle and budget. Go to Our Services to learn more about what we can offer you.
How much exterior maintenance is required for a log home?
The amount of exterior maintenance will vary depending on the location and position of your home on the site. Typically you may have to recoat every 3-7 years, but there are many variables at play such as UV exposure, finish product quality, quality of preparation and application, log moisture content and more. We can advise you on quality products to protect your home, and we offer maintenance options at attractive rates.
Can we add onto an existing log home?
Lincoln Logs has a staff of talented designers and engineers. We can work with you to design an addition that will fit your growing needs and budget. Contact us today for your no obligation consultation.
How much shrinkage can I expect from a Lincoln Log product?
The shrinkage is controlled by a combination of the locking system, drying process and quality of Lincoln's logs. An allowance of ¾ inch is made above all windows and doors; this far exceeds expected shrinkage given all construction procedures are followed.
How energy efficient is a log home?
Unlike regular wood framed structures, log homes are rated in "Thermal Mass" as opposed to "R" values. The "Thermal Mass Effect" relates to the ability in which heat transfers through the walls of a building is delayed by the wall mass. Log homes may be expected to perform from 2.5% to over 15% more energy efficiently compared to an identical wood-framed constructed home, considering annual purchased heating and cooling energy needs. Go to www.loghomes.org and read more about log home energy efficiency.
We have a stick-built home; can we make it look like a log home?
YES! We can work with you to design the desired log home look that will fit your budget. As licensed builders we can also transform the interior of your home to match the log home exterior. Contact us for a no obligation consultation.
Note: The answers to the frequently asked questions are based on the opinions of The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC officers and not the official response from The Original Lincoln Logs Ltd.
The Leelanau Log Home Company Team is ready to answer your questions.
Call us at 231-275-5647 or email us at sales@leenanauloghomes.com
Featured Floorplan: Lakeview
2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Main level: 1,976 sq. ft.
Second level: 332 sq. ft.
Total: 2,308 sq. ft.
The focal point of this spacious and flexible floor plan is the vaulted living room which opens to the kitchen and loft above. The master suite features a spa tub and separate shower, while the other bedroom is large enough to be configured for a variety of uses.
For more floorplans access our floorplans database.
Click for more information or to download a PDF of this floorplan!
For more floorplans, access our floorplans 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!
