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Tip of the Month: Answering the Question When you're at an early stage of shopping for a custom log home, the main question is "how much does it cost?" This month we review common cost measurements and explain why they offer little information for a custom-built log home. Measuring cost: 1. The most familiar metric (commonly used in stick-built construction) and one of our most frequently asked questions, "How much does a log home cost per square foot?" Let me explain why this measurement is misleading and unreliable as a predictor of cost for a custom home.
Let me further illustrate. Imagine you're purchasing a 20' x 20' room. Below are three different custom room examples. The first room has 2 x 4 walls installed with drywall, a drop ceiling, carpeted floor and is built on a slab foundation. This room cost $4,000 and has 400 finished and constructed sq. ft., which calculates to a cost of $10 per sq. ft. The second room has 2 x 6 walls; ceiling installed with T&G pine with laminate wood flooring and is built on a full unfinished basement foundation. This room cost $6,500 and has 400 finished sq. ft. and 800 constructed sq ft. but calculates to a cost of $16.25 per sq. ft. The constructed sq. ft. cost increased by $2,500, but the finished sq. ft. remained the same resulting in a cost increased from $10 to $16.25 per sq. ft. due to the higher quality materials and installation cost and full basement foundation. The third room has walls made of full logs; the ceiling is T&G pine with ¾" Hickory hardwood flooring and is built on a finished basement foundation. This room cost $10,500 and has 800 finished sq. ft. and 800 constructed sq. ft. The cost per sq. ft. is calculated now at $13.13 per sq. ft. The cost per sq. ft. decreased because the livable space increased and the quality level of materials increased as well. Talk about lost in translation! This illustration demonstrates why the cost per square foot metric should not be used to predict cost for a custom-built home. Even though each room is the same size, they have different foundations, different quality level of materials and different labor rates to construct. Thus, similar shape and size log homes can be very different in terms of cost. Our suggestion: Don't play the cost per square foot game. 2. Another common metric often used in the log home industry is the cost estimated using the package price, usually stated as "total cost to build a log home is typically 3-4 times the package price." So if your log home package cost $100,000, then the total cost could possibly range from $300,000 to $400,000 (could be more or less). This metric is easier to understand, but with a possible variance of 33%, really doesn't provide you with reliable information you can apply towards your custom log home. The bottom line is these metrics only serve to give you a very general idea of cost and nothing more. Unfortunately what they often do is create doubt, uncertainty and confusion about the affordability of building a custom log home. If you've been reading our E-newsletter, you've hopefully taken away the notion that buying and building a custom log home is just that, CUSTOM. No two log homes are created alike; meaning each log home is unique and as individual as you are. Customization doesn't mean higher cost (at least not to us), it means tailoring a design with the quality level of materials based on your budget and lifestyle needs to achieve the greatest value. So how do you get a realistic cost number? You must take the next step and go through the preliminary planning process with a dealer and/or builder of choice. Assuming you've done your homework and selected an experienced dealer and/or builder, they will be skilled at guiding you through this process to help develop your design and cost budget. Many folks are afraid to take this next step, but we encourage you to do so. If done well, it can be a fun, exciting and educational experience, and only through this process can you find the real answer to the question: "How much does it cost?" Next month we'll review best practices to secure bids from a log home dealer and/or builder. Plus we'll discuss the critical importance of developing your "wish and needs" lists. Stay tuned! The Leelanau Log Home Company Team is ready to help you design a log home that perfect for you. We're experienced log home designers and custom home builders. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation design and budget consultation. Call us at 231-275-5647 or email us at sales@leenanauloghomes.com Leelanau Log Home Concierge Services: The Leelanau Log Home Company offers highly personalized services, tailored with your specific needs in mind. Let our experience, craftsmanship and professional customer service go to work for you! 1. Learning Workshop: Increase Your Log Home I.Q.
If you answered yes to all of these questions, this workshop maybe for you. Our Learning Workshop is a highly customized, fun and informative day tailored to the questions you want and need answered. Because this workshop is built around your log home project, you must meet certain qualifications to attend. There are no high pressure sales tactics and no sales gimmicks, just honest answers to your questions. Each workshop is limited to three couples or individuals. To learn more, please contact Brad at 231-275-5647. 2. At Your Service! We have the solution! Introducing At Your Service! We'll travel to your home* and present you with customize information based on your log home vision. At Your Service is a free service with no obligation and includes the following:
We understand your decision to build your dream log home is a personal commitment and a big investment and should be given the special attention it deserves. Call us today to see if you qualify for this very personalized service, 231-275-5647. *Travel area is limited to Michigan. However, travel area may include Indiana, Illinois & Ohio, contact us for details. 3. Building Site Evaluation and Planning Service 4. Custom Design Service If you're interested in learning more about our Concierge Services, please call 231-275-5647 or email us at: sales@leelanauloghomes.com Frequently Asked Questions: Part 3Here is part three in a series of frequently asked questions with our responses. We hope you find this informative and useful. I plan to have a contractor build the weather-tight shell, and then I will finish the interior myself. How long will it to complete the weather-tight shell? Can I add a Lincoln Solarium to an existing home? Is Lincoln Logs kiln or air dried? As an authorized dealer for The Original Lincoln Logs LTD, what services do you offer?
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.
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. Click here to download this plan as a PDF. For more floorplans access our floorplans database. The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC |
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There are two costs per square foot measurements. Finished sq. ft. is most frequently quoted which measures only livable space. And Constructed sq. ft. which is rarely quoted and means the total area and includes both livable and non-livable areas, like the garage, basement or other unfinished spaces in the home. There's a huge difference between each square foot cost measurement and more importantly they don't measure the biggest variable in a custom-built home, which is the quality level of the materials used to construct the home.
As a dealer, licensed builder and general contractor, we offer you a variety of services. Here's what we can do for you: 
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