Building your own Log Cabin is becoming an increasingly popular project. Its both cheaper and more enjoyable than buying a ready built cabin. Before you begin there are some essential steps to consider.
These days most log homes are built from pre-milled logs and often come in kit form. The logs are quite visible as the exterior and sometimes interior of the house. A lot of people dream of owning a log cabin home in a great location. The cabins large picture windows give a breathtaking view of a wooded valley, while inside the fire gives off a warm glow that gently lights up the rustic interior. Its a nice dream and you can make it happen and get the perfect log cabin if you spend a bit of time planning.You need to think about the location you want. The size and position of your plot will determine some of the constraints placed on your cabin. You should consider the square footage you want as well as such things as privacy and access to services such as power, water and sewers. Depending on location you may need to consider sourcing a water supply and installation of a septic tank. Full foundations for your log home will require a lot more digging but may be needed under the building permit. A slab foundation is cheaper but may not be possible. Cost obviously varies depending on the type of foundation but planning for this is part of the budgeting process for the whole Log Cabin project. Before you can apply for any sort of construction loan you will need to have all your quotes ready. Unless you plan on doing a lot of the work yourself you will need to get quotes from contractors such as plumbers, roofers, masons and electricians. Make sure you budget for all these services when you are working out the finances for the build.You should investigate the many different log cabin home plans and log cabin kits that are on the market. There are many builders who now just specialize in cabin building and log cabin kit assembly. They may be able to suggest the type of cabin suitable for your plot or they may even be able to build a custom log home for you. Check out the internet as there are many log cabin plan and kit sites where you can find good information. Another point to consider is the type of logs that will be used for your cabin. The logs used can give an entirely different look to your log cabin home. There are two main types of logs, rough cut round logs (handcrafted logs) or milled logs which are uniform and cut to fit together.When you know what type of cabin you are going to be building its time to decide whether to do it yourself or to get a builder to do it for you. At this point you should really do some homework. You should always get quotes from several different cabin builders and if possible get feedback from people they have done similar work for. Do check with any local builders association to see if they know off and problems with that particular log cabin builder.Something you should also think about for a log cabin build is how you will heat and cool your new home. Wood burning stoves and furnaces have become increasingly popular in recent years. The latest generation of wood burning technology means they are now practical, efficient and cheap to use. If you are thinking about this type of heating then proper installation of the chimney is essential. There are many other types of heating you can consider but perhaps none that will blend in with the cabin theme as well as a wood stove.Building permit requirements vary from county to county and often decisions can seem pretty subjective. At the end of the day though the various permits and inspections are there for a purpose and are a necessary step to getting the quality log home you deserve.For more log cabin information, news, articles tips and advice visit Log Cabin Home builder.
