The Log Home Industry Expert

Registration is now open for the 2010 Log Homes Council President’s Tour, March 29 through April 1 in Boise, Idaho.

This year’s tour is unique for several reasons. One, it’s returning after a year off. I know that I and other Log Homes Council members I’ve spoken to are really looking forward to coming back together to network, catch up and share new ideas. Also unique is that we’ll be seeing a couple of facilities that don’t make logs—we’ll get the opportunity to see how other manufacturers have decreased waste, optimized flow and found other ways to increase efficiency.

I’m proud to be host of one of our stops—my company, PrecisionCraft Log Homes and Timber Frame. Our log home facility includes two Pendu milled log lines, a handcrafted log yard and a Hundegger K-2 CNC timber frame milling line. I’m excited to get the chance to show you how we’ve incorporated lean manufacturing techniques and what we’ve learned from the process.

The other stops are:
MotivePower: This state-of-the-art facility designs, manufacturers and re-manufacturers diesel-electric locomotives. They have been using lean manufacturing techniques for several years.

Woodgrain Millwork: One of the largest millwork companies in the world, this production facility specializes in efficiently optimizing wood fiber in its end products. Woodgrain management has integrated lean manufacturing throughout their operations.

Woodgrain Door: This fully-integrated wood door manufacturing shop produces a variety of solid wood and insulated doors. You will see how lean manufacturing techniques have reduced costs in this large-volume facility.

Are you ready to get back on the bus and learn smart new ways to get lean? Let’s go! Register for the 2010 Log Homes Council President’s Tour at www.nahb.org/presidentstour. I’ll see you there!

All the best,
Jim Young
President, PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame
Chairman, 2010 Log Homes Council President’s Tour

Handcrafted Log Yard at PrecisionCraft Log Homes

Hundegger K-2 Timber Frame Milling: PrecisionCraft Timber Frame

Pendu Milled Log Lines at PrecisionCraft’s Manufacturing Facility

LEED Certified Log Home, Custom Design - Government Camp, OR 

For Mark and Crystal Ryan, building their dream mountain house was synonymous with building what is commonly referred to as a “green” home.  This Oregon couple turned to award-winning Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes to help them design and manufacture a home that is now in the final certification process to be awarded the LEED Platinum rating.  LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a comprehensive framework for the integrated design approach key to high-performance building.

This LEED rated, 3,600 square foot custom log and timber frame home is beautiful, healthy, and good for the environment. To top it all off, the highly efficient home saves the Ryan family a great deal of money.
With state-of-the-art milling processes, tight fitting connections and a unique building system, PrecisionCraft’s milled, mountain style homes are a natural fit for LEED for Homes certification.  Their top of the line milling processes combined with the industry’s most refined green design techniques support an energy efficient, environmentally friendly structure.  “This is truly exciting for the log and timber home industry,” says Jim Young, 2009 Log Homes Council president and president of PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame.  “This milled log and timber frame home will be the first of its kind to receive LEED Platinum Certification.”

Some of the most important details of green construction are rarely seen.  Using LEED as a guide from the onset enabled the Mountain Architects design team, PrecisionCraft Log Homes, Gomes Construction and the Owners, to develop environmental and performance goals while providing a beautiful and functional mountain getaway.

The build site for the Ryan’s LEED rated home was protected from erosion during construction with straw bales, silt fences and protected zones. Hardscaping features and swales were designed to prevent any future erosion.  The lot has a minimal amount of impervious surfaces to reduce water runoff.  In addition, the surrounding property was naturalized, planted with 100% native species, reducing irrigation water demand by 85%.

To create a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, windows were strategically placed to fill the home with natural light.  Low-E, argon-filled windows were installed throughout the house and windows on the south side allow sunlight to enter the space in winter, storing radiant heat in the thick tile floor.  Extra large roof overhangs were uniquely designed to let in the sun during the winter months and keep out the high summer sun.

Additional energy saving features include compact fluorescent bulbs and fixtures, high efficiency appliances, and a 96% efficient propane boiler that provides energy for the radiant heated home.  A zoned heating system allows the Ryan’s to maintain a comfortable temperature in rooms where they spend their time but avoid wasting heating energy in empty parts of the house.  Low flow shower heads and faucets and dual flush toilets significantly reduce the demand for water.

The home meets the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package standards, that includes an Energy Recovery Ventilation system providing cleaner, healthier air and protection against airborne pollutants (even the garage has an automatic exhaust system).

The super tight envelope created from PrecisionCraft’s cedar logs is supported with structural insulated roof panels by Precision Panel.  The SIPs construction gives the roofing an R value of 52 making it several times more energy efficient than conventional construction.

The building team sorted construction waste products at every stage of building for recycling and reuse.  Because of the highly efficient manufacturing methods of PrecisionCraft Log Homes, the project produced 78% less waste than the typical construction of a conventional home.  A large percentage of the construction and building materials have high recycled content, and were locally harvested, milled, or manufactured to reduce shipping costs and fuel use and to support local businesses.

Learn more about PrecisionCraft and sister company, Mountain Architects at PrecisionCraft.com. Explore PrecisionCraft’s Green Log Homes Design Center and discover how you can reach your green building goals with your custom mountain home.
PrecisionCraft’s Newsroom:
http://newsrooms.prweb.com/PrecisionCraft-Log-Homes/

Building Log Homes, Nationwide

PrecisionCraft launches its new Log Homes Design Build Center at PrecisionCraft.com!  With this new online resource center, people worldwide can get a complete look at PrecisionCraft’s Design Build approach to building custom log homes and timber frame homes. From creating one-of-a-kind designs through the entire construction process, PrecisionCraft’s Design Build center highlights how this unique approach utilizes streamlined processes, aggressive cost controls and cutting edge timeline management techniques to ensure the highest quality build standards at the best price. PrecisionCraft’s Design Build Approach includes:

• Conceptual Design
• A Cost Feasibility Study
• In depth, Pre-Construction Planning, and…the
• Highest Quality Construction

According to Jim Young, President of PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame, “the primary advantage of such a unique approach in the log and timber home industry is the client’s ability to see every detail of his or her project thought through and planned for before committing to construction. This means every client has the right design for them, feels completely comfortable with its cost, and enjoys the security that comes from such in-depth planning prior to making a commitment to construction.”

Browse PrecisionCraft’s new Log Homes Design Build Center at: http://www.precisioncraft.com/DesignBuild.html.

Recently, Log Home Living contacted Jim Young, President of PrecisionCraft Log Homes & Timber Frame for his advice to future log home owners on buying land.  This interview, packed full of good land buying tips, is featured in Log Home Living’s 2010 Annual Buyer’s Guide.  Below is the original interview in its raw format.

Log Home Living:  Really briefly, can you give me your list of 5 attributes that you look for in a good piece of land for building a log home, and why these are important.

Jim Young:  Aesthetics, Proximity, Buildability, Utilities and amenities and Resale.

Aesthetics – Most log home buyers build a log home because of the look, feel and beauty of the log home.  Log homes have an emotional appeal and the building lot must complement and enhance the emotional impact.  The design of the home and the building location are married such that it meets the Owners aesthetic vision. It’s a good reason for the Owner to get the architect involved on the front end of the building project – preferably during the lot selection.

Proximity – Proximity of the building lot to the Owners interests and/or activities is critical.  This might be a ski-in, ski-out location or golf course lot or isolated in the forest.  I’ve had clients happy with their home but it location is inconveniently located far from the nearest town and day-to-day services like grocery stores and restaurants.  On the other hand, my family has a cabin in Idaho’s wilderness area and the remoteness of the location is the primary attraction.  Buyers should also consider proximity to neighbors and other buildings or future buildings in the area.  A building lot may have a gorgeous view but may also be located where the view will eventually be obstructed at some point by future building. 

Buildability – The building lot should be evaluated by a building professional for buildability before purchasing the lot.  I cannot emphasize the importance of this point.  Too often, Owners are surprised by additional costs they were not aware of before purchasing – such as the cost of retaining walls, roads or driveways, utilities, special permits, etc.  We’ve had situations where the Owner’s building lot was located on an ancient Indian burial site and unable to build.  Another case was a site designated as a protected wetland.  Probably the biggest factor adding unexpected costs of construction is the slope of the lot.

Re-sale - Every realtor will tell you its location, location, location.  Of course, this is true if you are considering re-sale.  Re-sale is certainly a consideration but log home buyers tend to have a broader vision in mind.  This is their dream home or perhaps a family retreat.  It is my impression that most log home buyers intend to own their home indefinitely or this is the home they plan for their retirement.  This being said, log home buyers should still keep an eye on the re-sale value of the home and lot. 

Amenities and Utilities – If the building lot is in a developed subdivision, more than likely it will come with more amenities and utilities at the building location such as water, power, sewer, cable, etc.  Developed subdivision often times offers clubhouse amenities, swimming pools and other features.  This is extremely important and can add considerable value to the lot.  On the other hand, undeveloped lots come with considerably more expense when adding amenities and utilities.

Log Home Living:  What should you look for in terms of the overall location? i.e., what are some signs that it’s a good piece of property for you in terms of proximity to neighbors, number of trees, how close it is to critical goods and services, how close it is to water, etc.?

Jim Young:  In addition to the considerations mentioned above, Buyers should understand the zoning at and around the potential building site.  It is a good idea to consult with a professional builder to inspect access to utilities such as water, power, sewer, etc.  Buyers should also consult with the local building departments, title companies and neighbors to understand any factors not readily apparent. 

Log Home Living:  How important is the slope of the land in this discussion? Is there a certain degree of slope that is too steep to build on? What should you be looking for here?

Jim Young:  It is possible to build on lots with very radical slopes.  I’ve seen projects that I swear are on shear cliffs.  But, it’s expensive.  Again, buyers should consult with a professional before purchasing especially if the lot is sloped.  It’s hard to judge the actual slope of a building lot without a topographical survey.  A lot that appears relatively flat by the naked eye can be deceiving.  It is worth the money to have a survey of the lot and to discuss the building ramifications with a building professional before purchasing the lot.

Log Home Living:  What’s a perc test, and how important is it? What should you be looking for in the perc test of the land?

Jim Young:  A perc (percolation) test is done to evaluate the appropriateness of the soil condition for a septic drain field.  If the prospective building lot does not have sewer access and thus requires a septic tank, then getting a perc test before you buy the lot is a good idea.  Also, find out from the building department where the septic tank and drain field can be placed and determine any issues or requirements prior to purchasing the lot.  This might depend upon the results of the perc test and is a good reason to have it done prior to closing on the lot. 

Log Home Living:  Any other tests that should be conducted before you decide to buy?

Jim Young:  If there is any question about the soundness of the soil, buyers might want to consult with a geotechnical engineer.

Log Home Living:  If good views are important to you, do you want them facing in a certain direction (E, W, N, S)? Why or why not? If you need to remove some trees, is this a deal-breaker for some people because of the cost, annoyance? Or is that a relatively simple task that shouldn’t make or break your deal?
Any other considerations to keep in mind when choosing a piece of land based on the views?

Jim Young:  Most of the time, the view will dictate the direction of the building but, if there is a choice, I prefer to situate the kitchen and/or great room East for the morning sun and to avoid afternoon glare and heat. On the other hand, some people would like to see the sunset in the primary window location. 

Log Home Living:  What should be available for utilities on your land? How will having available utilities on that land make building easier?

Jim Young:  Water, power and sewer or septic can be very expensive.  Drilling a well and installing septic is commonplace.  But, the buyer should have a good understanding of the potential costs.  If there is no power to the site, it is important to contact the utility company and find out the cost of installing power to the site.  Off – grid power is also a consideration with the use of generators, solar and wind power but cost and reliability are issues and must be fully understood. 

If there are no available utilities, how does that affect the cost and convenience of the building process?
Buyers should consult with a building professional to inspect the lot and get good estimates of installing the utilities before they purchase.

Log Home Living:  Are there ever instances when a piece of land cannot have utilities? What is it important to look for here before buying?

Jim Young:  Again, it is extremely important that buyers consult with a professional before buying a lot especially if the land is undeveloped.  Installing utilities can be tricky and may not be feasible in some locations.  Buyers should understand the potential costs of drilling a well, installing septic or bringing power to the site.  It is not uncommon that costs will exceed the value of the land.

Log Home Living:  Any other important land considerations before you buy?

Jim Young:  Buyers should be fully informed of easements, access, setbacks, zoning and other legal considerations and should consult a lawyer if there appears to be anything unusual.  Title insurance is critical. 

Log Home Living:  Finally, what are your top 5 warning signs that it’s a bad piece of land that you should steer clear of? Why are these signs problematic?

Jim Young:  Soggy soil or underground water can cause a tremendous amount of grief.  If you are looking at the building lot at the driest time of the year, be sure you understand what the building lot looks like in the spring and winter.  Understand where there is potential runoff.  If there is any question, have a soils engineer look at the site. 

Be very cautious of unfulfilled promises by the developer.  If the developer has not yet completed installation of road, utilities, etc., then you might want to consider how you will be covered in the event the developer defaults.

Again, any legal irregularities in the title can become a horror story.  Make sure the title is clear and you understand all easements and access requirements.  It’s a good idea to talk with the local building jurisdiction and see about the requirements for building permit on that specific lot. 

Being aware of development activities around the lot are important.  It would be heartbreaking to learn about a new sewer treatment facility going in next door after you have purchased the lot. 

Find out why the seller is selling.  Make sure you get full disclosure.

An Inspired Living Story by PrecisionCraft Log Homes:

Click on the Image Below and Take a Tour of this Handcrafted Log Home Cabin:  Hear the Story, Browse the Photos, and Tour its Floor Plan

Take design ingenuity and cross it with innovative build solutions. What do you get? Inspired Living.  Over the past few years, PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects have worked diligently to add a new design to their portfolio each month, each one highlighting a distinctive architectural flare.  Their ‘Design of the Month’ exclusive has sparked interest from around the globe with each month’s new design added to PrecisionCraft’s wide ranging floor plan gallery.

With over 65 of Mountain Architects’ most admired plans now showcased online, their design gallery offers a lot of inspiration!  Now, the artistic duo takes you for a detour over the next four months, sharing real life stories of how Mountain Architects’ new design creations come to life.

“People already love to browse through our award-winning floor plans but now they can see how some of our clients have turned these design concepts into extraordinary timber and log homes,” said Mountain Architects’ lead designer, Matt Franklin.

“Inspired Living: Stories You Can Build Upon” will feature the stories behind truly extraordinary mountain style homes. Log home lovers will get the inside scoop on what inspired each home’s design – was it to build a legacy for family generations to come, to incorporate “green” elements to ensure energy efficiency, or to create an atmosphere of warmth and intimacy?  Whatever the reason behind the design, potential log home builders are sure to find inspiration for their own timber or log homes!

June’s Inspired Living Story:  Building a Legacy Home - see how Kelly and Marie take Mountain Architect’s Laurette Chateau floor plan and turn it into their own legacy timber frame home!  Get the full story of this timber frame home.

July’s Inspired Living Story:  A Tale of Three Families - One Design, Three Custom Homes.  PrecisionCraft’s award-winning Woodhaven floor plan has been built a few times over the years.  But, just as no two families are the same, no two homes are the same!  This Inspired Living story illustrates how three clients started with the same Mountain Architects floor plan, but created three very distinct homes.  Each home is customized to match the unique needs, architectural style, property and budget of three different couples.  See all three log homes and read their Inspired Living stories.

VIEW & COMPARE photo tool!  Each online feature story is equipped with an interactive floor plan tool.  If you like the layout of the great room and want to see it come to life, simply click on floor plan itself… easy as that! 

With uncertainty engulfing our economy, why would anyone build now? We are confronted daily with customers that are uneasy about moving forward with their building project in the middle of this current economic mess. Of course, each person or family has to evaluate their own financial situation and no one should build if they can’t afford it. But let me make three points before you decide to shelve your building plans:

1. Building costs will never be lower
2. Mortgage interest rates are at an all time low
3. Inflation (or hyperinflation) is on the horizon

See Yourself in 10 Years

Will you be kicking yourself and saying “I knew I should have pulled the trigger when building costs were at an all time low?” In 2019 material and labor costs are much higher and interest rates are on the rise. There are more government regulations and hoops to jump through, which are driving construction costs up even further. Thanks to stimulus spending a decade earlier, the country is experiencing double digit inflation. The smart money locked their 30 year mortgages at interest rates near 5%, and are repaying those loans with inflated dollars. And to make matters worse, since you didn’t build your home in 2009, you missed 10 years of enjoying it.

We all wish for a crystal ball so that we could gaze into the future and make better informed decisions today. Even without a crystal ball, the signs are pretty clear. We are in a tough economic environment; entering the 17th month of the longest recession since the Great Depression. It will probably be a long and protracted recovery before we are back to more normal. Some of the most pessimistic economists are predicting the recovery could last 10 years before real estate values are back to pre-2007 levels.

The Role of Inflation Tomorrow

At some point, we are going to have to pay for the stimulus spending. I’m not going to debate the merits of stimulus spending other than the reality that we cannot continue spending trillions and trillions without paying for it at some point in the future. It either gets paid via higher taxes or, the more politically expedient way, inflation. With all the money the Fed is pumping into the economy, once the recovery starts, inflation is bound to rear its head. Once inflation takes off, you best have your money invested in hard assets that will increase or retain real value. Better yet, leveraging those assets with fixed low interest rate loans that can be repaid with inflated dollars will yield a double inflationary hedge. Whatever you are feeling about real estate and, many people are not feeling very good, real estate is still the best protection against inflation.

The Upside

New home construction is at its lowest recorded level and there are more builders and subcontractors looking for work ever than ever before. Currently, it is a buyers market with tremendous opportunity to make deals that were unthinkable just a few months ago. Plus you don’t have to wait as long to begin building your project.

If you currently own your building lot and bought it before last year, most likely, your land is not worth as much as pre-2007 levels. But, what does that really mean? If you bought your land to hold long term and build say - a retirement home or family cabin to be held for a number of years and/or passed on to your family, then the land is the land. It still has all of the characteristics, beauty and other reasons that prompted you to buy it in the first place. If your intention is to build on your land, now is the building opportunity of a lifetime.

Bottom Line

Chances are pretty good that prices will not go much lower than they are today. It is more likely there will be upward pressure as the economy improves and inflation and interest rates will rise. Bottom line, if you are going to build, it is a far smarter bet to build today than wait. This is a historic time with historic opportunity.

Guest Author: Perma-Chink Systems 

Taking care of log homes is a bit like caring for your car.  You would never consider driving your car for years without changing the oil or ever washing it.  Your home too needs an occasional wash, inspection and maintenance.  It is easier and better to inspect a clean home than one that’s dirty.  Besides, a clean log home looks great.  It’s amazing how a few months worth of pollen, dust and dirt can hide the beauty of your log home finish.  And like a car, giving it a cleaning every once and awhile helps extend the life of the entire finish system.

At Perma-Chink, we recommend cleaning your home twice a year, in the spring and the fall.  But you need to be careful with what you use to clean your home.  Many household cleaning products have a high pH.  This means that they are alkaline or caustic and these types of products can harm your finish, even if it’s in good shape.  For maintenance cleaning avoid using products that contain bleach or ammonia.  Both can have a detrimental effect on your finish.  Products that are slightly acidic like our Log Wash are much better to use since they are gentle on the finish but are extremely efficient cleaners.

The Inspection
Once your home is clean it’s time to do your inspection.  Start at one corner of the home and be sure to go all the way around.  Inspect each wall individually and don’t try to inspect too much at a time.  If you have a digital camera, take it with you during your inspection.  It’s amazing how difficult it is to find something you noticed a week or so ago.  Begin by standing back, away from the home and look for some of the more obvious problems such as:

1. Filled gutters and blocked downspouts.  If you are not sure about them, use a garden hose to make sure that they are in good working order.
2. Look at the dormers and upper story windows for signs of water damage.  If you have a problem seeing that far, use binoculars to inspect the higher areas.
3. If you have a sprinkler system, turn it on to make sure that no water is hitting your foundation or log walls.
4. Landscape plants and shrubs should be no closer than 18 inches to any log wall.  If necessary, trim them back.
5. Move any piles of firewood at least two feet away from the home and never store firewood on the porch.
6. Look for any wood that is in contact with the ground, even if it’s pressure treated.  For protection against termites and rot, all wood should be at least 12 to 18 inches above the soil.
7. When you stand back from a wall you can better see general patterns of wear and fading of your finish, especially on the south and west walls.

Now that you have inspected the wall from a distance it’s time to get up close to see what’s going on.

1. Look closely at the finish.  Round logs tend to weather more on the upper half than the lower half since it’s this area that’s most exposed to the sun and rain.
2. Are there any new upward facing checks that have opened up since your last inspection?  If so, seal them.  It’s also a good idea to pour an ounce or two of borate solution in the check a few days before you seal it to kill any decay fungi that may have started to grow.
3. Look for signs of algae and mold.  If there are green splotches, it’s algae and an indication that the wood is staying damp.  Small dark spots are typically molds.  A good washing with Log Wash will remove mold on top of the stain but if they are located under the stain it may be necessary to remove the finish in order to get at them.
4. As you walk along looking at your logs take along a small hammer and lightly tap the sill logs every couple of feet.  Also check the logs around windows and doors.  If a log sounds hollow or you get a dull thud you may have a pocket of rot that needs to be repaired.  Use a thin bladed screwdriver to probe the area to see if the wood is soft.
5. While you are inspecting the logs you should be looking for signs of insect infestations.  A few beetle holes here and there are no cause for alarm.  Most of the holes are probably old and empty.  If you are not sure, stick a strip of masking tape over the holes and check it a week or so later.  If the infestation is active, holes will have appeared in the masking tape.  It takes many years for these beetles to do much damage.  Just make a note of it and when it comes time to completely refinish the home be sure to treat it with a borate before you apply a new coat of stain.
6. Window and door frames are the source of many water related problems.  Check to see if the caulk is adhering to the adjoining surfaces.
7. Give special attention to all log ends, especially if they extend out beyond roof overhangs. The log ends can really absorb water and that’s where a lot of rot problems start.

Little problems can turn into major ones if left unattended.  A bit of maintenance now and then will keep your home healthy and beautiful.

The design team at Mountain Architects have put together a great “Top 10″ list of things to consider when designing green log homes and timber frame home retreats.  

The team highlights key points such as:

Consider the Log Home Carbon Footprint…

Reduce the use of chemically processed materials…

Consider good basic design decisions… 

Use energy efficient products…

Use low-VOC products…

Use wood Alternatives or FSC-certified wood products…

Consider environmentally preferable and rapidly renewable products…

Use rapidly-renewable materials…

Plant trees to shade the house and for wind protection…

Use Green Power… 

If green is your goal, you have to check out this list! Read the full article and discussion at the Log Home Plans Blog.

On-site inspection and verification of construction is an invaluable service many architects provide clients during the construction phase of their custom log home.  At Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft, we have incorporated site visits as a standard practice with a minimum of five on-site inspections as a base line.  Having your architect perform on-site inspections is very much like an insurance policy guaranteeing that your builder is building your home according to your plans and specifications.  Custom log home construction can be complicated by a complex design or by your build site itself.  As such, many decisions are made as the construction of your home progresses.  It’s easy and tempting for the builder to take short cuts that might affect the build quality of your home.  In addition, interpretation and adjustments to your plans are normal as conditions at the construction site change and information becomes available.

The cost of constructing a custom log home can be a huge financial investment for most homeowners – often times the largest financial investment a person will make in their lifetime.  Engaging the services of a professional and licensed architect can greatly enhance the success of your project and will pay for itself in savings and satisfaction.  At Mountain Architects, our standard architectural services include design, feasibility cost estimating, preparation of the construction documents, structural engineering, competitive builder bid administration, building permit submittals and site inspections.  The package of services might be summarized as “advocate” for the homeowner.  Site inspections are a critical element in the suite of services and protects the homeowner by ensuring that the home is being built as planned.

Most homeowners are not construction experts.  It would be unreasonable to expect a typical homeowner to see and certify if the builder is on track and performing as expected.  However, an architect is a construction expert.  If the builder knows that they must answer to a knowable professional, the builder is more likely to be accountable for the work performed.  Also, on-site decisions are not made on the fly and without oversight.

The architect provides the homeowner with both creative talent and technical know-how.  In order to do a complete and effective job for the homeowner, the architect needs to be involved beyond the preparation of the drawings.   The level of involvement may be as limited as to four or five site visits. At Mountain Architects, our base service is to visit the site at least five times.  More site visits are at the discretion of the owner and architect depending on the project progress and reliability of the builder

The building of a custom home requires a team of professionals including the architect, engineer, builder, sub-contractors and suppliers.  A successful building project takes a level of trust, particularly between the architect and the builder.  The best formula, as once stated by President Ronald Regan, “Trust but verify.”

Learn more about PrecisionCraft’s Total Log Home Solution to learn how PrecisionCraft’s services ensure your project is a success minimizing unexpected costs and opportunity for issues or concerns.

Residential real estate has taken a serious blow in the last few years. New construction of single family homes is at its lowest point since the recession of 1991. It’s a buyers market and smart investors know this is the best opportunity to get great deals on new construction, especially new log homes and timber frame homes. Builders, subcontractors and material suppliers are all hungry and are willing to go the extra mile for new customers. While almost all commodities are at an all time high and rising, lumber prices and other building materials are priced low. The dramatic increase in energy costs has not yet been reflected in lumber prices.

The current economic environment isn’t going to last forever. Most economists expect the housing market to bottom out in mid-2009. Once the supply of new homes is back into balance with demand, new construction will begin to increase at a normal pace. Once construction begins to pick-up, prices are bound to increase. In the interim, there are some great deals.

For those individuals planning to build a new log or timber frame home, the timing couldn’t be better. Now is the time to get aggressive with competitive bidding. When the economy is down, many people are hesitant to jump into a new construction project. However, the smart money buyers know that you buy at the bottom of the market and ride the wave up.

Of course, timing is everything. It appears that early to mid-2009 will be the best time to send our RFP (Request for Proposal) bid packages. Mountain Architects offers bid administration services designed to assist customers in getting the best results through competitive bidding. The project managers at Mountain Architects will prepare the RFP package for clients which will include construction drawings, engineering and specifications. The RFP bid packets will be sent to prospective builders. Information sent back to your project managers will be analyzed and compare to Mountain Architects initial cost estimate and national averages for reasonableness. Mountain Architects will then gather and organize builders competitive bid information in order to assist you in making a good builder selection.

Price is certainly not the only factor in selecting a builder. Reputation, quality of work, and financial stability are all factors that must be taken into consideration when selecting a builder. In conjunction with the RFP bid packets, the project managers at PrecisionCraft & Mountain Architects will provide “builder due diligence” by gathering background information on prospective builders. All of these factors will assist our customers in making an informed decision and at very competitive pricing.

The team at PrecisionCraft only works and recommends high quality builders. Builders, such as Prideland Homes, that build homes on relationship, trust, confidence and open communication.

Creative design is at the heart of PrecisionCraft’s business. This dedication to meeting clients’ design expectations has been illustrated time and time again as PrecisionCraft and its design division, Mountain Architects, lead the industry in design awards. These design awards recognize exceptional designs across the different product lines – handcrafted & milled log homes, timber frame homes, and most recently homes designed using an eclectic mix of log & timber (known by many in the industry as log and timber hybrid homes).

But, for the team at PrecisionCraft and Mountain Architects, the challenge to be the best continues on and steps into a new line of homes. This week, PrecisionCraft announces the release of Mountain Accent Homes. With a Mountain Accent Home, a client can get the same great PrecisionCraft design customized to fit a specific style and layout, but at a considerably lower turnkey cost.

Designed and constructed using conventional stick framing, PrecisionCraft’s Mountain Accent Homes incorporate unique log and timber frame elements into the design. The Caribou handcrafted log home plan is a great illustration of how Mountain Architects can redesign an award-winning plan at a lower turnkey cost.

The Caribou log home plan is one of PrecisionCraft’s most popular plans. Recognized by Log Home Design and Log Home Living for its creative design, the Caribou, as a handcrafted log home, turnkeys at approximately $800,000. Keeping the same rustic appeal of the original Caribou plan, Mountain Architects redesigned the Caribou as a Mountain Accent Home™. Using conventional framing and rustic handcrafted log elements the new Caribou plan turnkeys at approximately $450,000. At PrecisionCraft.com, clients can explore an extensive floor plan gallery featuring 70+ timber and log home floor plans. Every PrecisionCraft plan can be redesigned, like the Caribou, as a Mountain Accent Home™.

Altering the log and timber product combination of a design – as illustrated above – represents only one aspect of the custom timber & log home design services provided by the team at Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft. Adjusting design complexity, altering square footage, and choosing a variety of home finishes are other important ways to customize a home to fit a client’s aesthetic style and budget. Getting a great home all centers on custom design, something the team at Mountain Architects knows a lot about.

Selecting your general contractor to build your custom log home is certainly one of the most critical decisions you make. Once you have made your selection, it is important that the terms of your agreement with the contractor are specific and spelled out well in advance.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) have jointly developed a set of contract documents that define the role and responsibility of the contractor, owner and architect. These documents have been developed over more than 100 years of experience and address most major issues that might appear during construction. Every few years, these documents are updated and revised to adapt to the latest construction trends and techniques. The AIA documents are highly respected by attorneys, contractors, architects and engineers and accepted as the industry standard.

Building a custom log home or timber frame home is typically a very large financial commitment. Owners place a great deal of trust into their architects, general contractors and other building professionals. Often times, clients who have never built a custom log home (or any type of custom home) do not understand what to expect. Using a professional licensed architect is one of the best ways to insure the project will be successful. Your architect will most likely be familiar with AIA documents. The AIA contracts spell out the normal obligations and responsibilities of each party such as duties, timelines and payment schedules.

At PrecisionCraft, premiere designer, manufacturer, and builder of log & timber homes, customers want to the opportunity to customize their homes. They are looking for a “one-of-a-kind” home that fits their personal taste, needs and their surroundings. However, there is no reason to “re-invent the wheel” when it comes to following a set of standards and expectations. The AIA contract documents, used with PrecisionCraft’s clients, have been proven year after year and follow a known path of success.

As the leader in custom design, PrecisionCraft Log Homes encourages clients to turn to the well trusted AIA documents. PrecisionCraft specializes in the design of handcrafted log homes, milled log homes, timber frame homes, log & timber hybrid homes, and stick frame homes with log & timber accents.

When it comes to protecting your log home, why not get your info from the experts? Below are some pointers from Sashco - a company specializing in high quality sealants for both conventional home construction and log home finishing and maintenance.

The design of your home and the style of logs that you select are key elements that you should consider early in the planning stage of building your home. These decisions can greatly influence the amount of time and money that you will spend on future maintenance.

Since it is a combination of water and sun (UV rays) that does the most damage to finishing products, it is wise to incorporate long eave overhangs, and, when possible, porches into your home design. Another design element that will extend the life of stain is a good gutter system that keeps water from sheeting down the logs and directs the water away from your home. And, don’t forget those log ends; make certain that log corners and purlins are well under the eaves. By incorporating these design elements into your plans, you will positively influence the longevity of the stain on your home.

Another factor to consider is the style of log that you choose. If you prefer the look of rounded logs, be prepared for more maintenance. The upper curvature of rounded logs takes the full force of the sun, whereas the lower curvature has less exposure to damaging UV rays; this means that to keep an equal appearance between the upper and lower curvature of the logs, a periodic coat of stain may need to be brushed onto the upper curvature of the logs. This step may be necessary only on portions of walls that are receiving extreme and constant sun.

But the single most critical factor in preventing premature stain maintenance is proper prep work of the logs prior to staining. There are five words that sum up the best in proper wood surface prep: clean, sound, warm, dry and textured.

Clean wood is free from mill glaze, dirt, pollen, wax, mold, bird droppings, etc. A buildup of these elements prevents stains from being able to penetrate and bond to the wood surface. This may seem perfectly obvious, but this is the step that is given the least attention, and often a thoroughly clean surface is never achieved, with inevitably poor results. You can count on it–the cleaner the logs, the better the stain can anchor into the wood.

Sound wood is wood that hasn’t suffered surface damage from UV exposure. Surface damage is apparent when the natural color of logs starts to turn a progressively deepening yellow color that then turns to gray. Depending on the location of your home, this process can happen in a matter of as little as two weeks. As the UV degradation continues, the wood fibers are loosening and detaching from the bulk of the wood substrate. If you stain over this fragile and damaged surface, the stain can lose adhesion along with the deteriorating wood fibers. Therefore, wood that has been left unprotected for any extended time should be sanded, media blasted, or aggressively power washed to remove damaged surface wood fibers prior to applying any coating.

Warm wood is ideal for stain application. If the wood surface is too hot, the coating may start to dry before proper wetting, penetration and adhesion can occur. If the wood surface is too cold, the contracted state of the wood cells can prevent penetration and anchoring of oil based stains; and water based stains can start to freeze before they can establish adhesion to the wood. Remember, we are talking surface temperature of the logs, not ambient air temperature.

Dry wood, as defined by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, contains 20% or less moisture. Coatings can blister and peel if applied to logs with a 20%+ moisture content. Before applying any coating, you should rent or borrow a moisture meter to check the moisture content of your logs. If the reading is 20% or greater, don’t stain. It is better to wait than to have to repair blistering, peeling stain.

Textured wood, roughening up the wood surface by either sanding, a light cob blasting, or any other, similar abrasive methods, will greatly enhance stain penetration, improve adhesion and provide more stain durability than application to a highly smooth surface; this is particularly true on the upper curvature of logs.

The first year after the initial stain application, you want to carefully inspect the overall appearance of the stain, checking for inconsistencies in the initial application. Check to see if there are areas that did not receive an initially adequate amount of stain, which can sometimes happen in localized areas when the stain is first applied. If you locate such areas, simply clean the surfaces with damp rags or bristle brushes to remove dirt, pollen, etc., and then apply a light coat of stain, feathering it into adjoining areas.

Once you have inspected your home and beefed-up any areas that may have needed another light coat of stain, you should consider applying a compatible clear topcoat on the entire structure. Clear topcoats are extremely easy to apply, yet they can extend the life of the pigmented coats of stain underneath. The clear topcoats are sacrificial coats that take the brunt of weathering, protecting, and thus, extending the life of the pigmented coats. They are very easy to apply, and because they are clear, the color of your logs doesn’t darken as it would if you applied repeated coats of pigmented stain. Eventually, however, you will need to decide when more pigmented stain needs to be applied for the best overall appearance and protection.

While you are inspecting the stain, also look for any checks that may have opened up on the upper curvature of the logs. Checks on the upper curvature can take on water from rain and snow, so it is important to pay close attention to these openings and prep and seal them properly.

And, finally, make it a practice to walk around and inspect your home, every fall and spring. Look for the obvious: bushes that have overgrown and are scraping the home, trees that have matured and the canopy is now dripping water down the logs, gutters that need repair, sprinklers that need adjusting and are spraying water on the logs, “stuff” that is being stacked against the logs. These are simple things to correct, but doing them can prolong the life of your stain, allowing you time to enjoy your home instead of working on maintaining it.

Presented by PrecisionCraft, the leader in designing, manufacturing, & constructing log homes.

Written by Tom Heatherington

There has not been a better time in years to build your log home!

If you permit the media to drive your decision making, you already know this is the worst possible time to make a lifestyle change. The housing market is in the tank, stock charts look as if they were printed from an oscilloscope, and upcoming elections (are intended to) make us feel anxious. If you include war news, terror reports, natural disasters and the Hollywood writer’s strike you must know this is absolutely the worst time to make serious lifestyle changes.

As the editor of the Log Cabin Directory, I have a unique perspective on the log home and timber frame business. In my daily routine I speak with people on both sides of the log home sales process. I answer phone calls and emails from prospective log home buyers, and I speak with builders, dealers and manufacturers on a regular basis.

It is no secret that the home building industry in general and the real estate market in particular are experiencing a downturn, which actually has been anticipated for a number of years. Although this slump has impacted the log and timber home segments of the market, it is not as severe as that being experienced by the conventional home building market. When such cyclic events occur buyers will often postpone their plans, which usually prompts manufacturers and builders to focus more on improving customer service and sharpening their pencils to attract new customers.

Economic cycles are part of life and there is not much new in this current phase. These cycles are always gut-wrenching, as we are experiencing them, but somehow we always get through them and business eventually goes back to normal. Think back to as recently as the dot-com meltdown of 2000-2001 when the stock market was blowing-off billions of dollars in profits. Companies were going bankrupt, banks were overextended and we watched TV like frightened deer in the headlights while the talking heads convinced us how bad things were. Imagine what your reaction would have been back then if someone told you that you’d be smart to build a custom log home, because it would probably double in value over then next 5-10 years.

This is why I believe that there is no better time to build a log home than now, because if you are a buyer, these current market conditions are exactly what you have been waiting for – whether you realize it or not. With the housing industry soft overall, you can expect to receive more attention and better service from builders than at anytime in recent years. Manufacturers have been reminded that you have a choice, and are focused on making you want to do business with them. This is a buyers market and as history has proven over and over again, that dream home of yours will cost you more to build later than it will today.

Any savvy investor will tell you that the time to buy is when a stock is out of favor. The apprehension from log home buyers in today’s market creates a huge opportunity for those willing to ignore the media’s fear-mongering and proceed with their dreams. Most people considering a log home have the funds or the credit worthiness to complete the process. The only thing lacking is the courage to ignore the crowd’s ill-advised mindset.

Now if you are planning to build a log home on spec and try to flip it for a quick profit, this may not be the most ideal time to play real estate roulette. However, if building a log or timber frame home to live in and enjoy has been part of your plan, there hasn’t been a better time in years to make it happen.

I am no Pollyanna. On the contrary, I have three daughters so I have been hard-wired to worry about everything. Additionally, I share the same concerns about the economy and my family’s future as you do yours, but every now and then someone has to slap me and tell me to focus on the things I can control. If a log home is part of your dream, take a lesson from history and don’t let Drudge or the ‘alphabet news channels’ talk you out of realizing your dream.

About the author: Tom Heatherington is the founder and editor of the “Log Cabin Directory”, one of the largest log home information sources online. He is the author of “The Complete Small Business Internet Guide” and numerous articles on log home living.