7
Log Home Myths
Log Home Myth #1
” All Log Homes are sold as complete, snap together kits”
Fact: “Log homes are conventionally built homes with solid
timber walls.” There is nothing mysterious about Log Homes.
Most log homes are built from conventional materials with conventional
methods (except for the exterior walls). This includes the so called “kit” log
home. The first question the informed log home buyer should ask
is “Why a kit? On the surface it seems logical enough, word “kit” implies,
complete, convenient, easy to assemble, something along the lines
of a model car, airplane kit or Lincoln Logä playset. This
myth is far from the truth. The majority of components that go
into a log home can be purchased from a local lumberyard. Where
then did the idea of a kit come from? It came from some shrewd
lumbermen who long ago figured out a way to package up and market
their lumber and hardware products long distance. Many so called
log manufacturers are not manufacturers at all but just another
knot in a long string of middlemen who are marking up the price
on a product they bought elsewhere before they passed it on to
you. Many of these suppliers purchase most of your package down
the street at their local lumberyard, pay retail, and 100% markup,
plus shipping and handling, and then freight it 2000 miles to
your site. They also frequently forget to mention a few thousand
dollars
worth of indispensable little necessities that you are going
to need to buy at the local lumberyard (and have fabricated at
the
local machine shop). The Truth: You can buy just the components
you need to assemble your log home system direct from the factory,
at the same price that professional builders and developers pay.
Log Home Myth #2
“ A Log Home Kit contains everything I need to build my home.”
Fact: This is a BIG lie.
Most Log Home Dealers want you to believe this. If you have good
accurate information to help you count the real cost of building
you may decide to reduce the size of your home, put off the purchase
until a later ate or decide not to build a new home at all. The
typical Log Home Dealer thinks that it is not in his/her interest
to tell you the truth about the real cost of building a log home.
That is sad because nothing is further from the truth.
The Truth: most Log Home “Kits” contain between 25-50%
of what you will need to complete a Log Home. God accurate information
means good planning, a smooth operation with no surprises and
ultimately a project built right, on time and on budget.
Log Home Myth #3
“ Pre-cutting a log home kit will save time, labor and money.”
Fact: “This is another BIG lie.”
Most so-called pre-cut operations require very labor-intensive
process that unnecessarily duplicates the handling of the product.
The package must be pre-cut, assembled, disassembled, marked
for re-assembled in a process requiring extensive sorting and
attempting to discern where the big jigsaw pieces go. The manufacturer
then adds a large margin which inflates the cost of the finished
product. Another major drawback is that pre-cutting requires
precise site dimensions control with little room for error. It
also eliminates your option of making last minute changes (which
are frequent) such as adding a window to accommodate that view
you didn’t realize you had.
The Truth: Site cutting of a Log Home is quick, efficient, and
produces an excellent finished product without an over-inflated
kit cost.
Log Home Myth #4
“ Using a kit means there will be very little left to finish.”
Fact: “This is also a BIG lie.”
Most Log Homes are conventionally built with conventional materials
and methods, except for solid timber exterior walls which will
not require insulation, exterior siding or interior paneling.
You must still conventionally construct a foundation system,
floor system, interior partitions, roof system, exterior wood
treatment, floor finishes, cabinetry, hardware, wall finishes,
interior trim, electrical, plumbing and HVAC among many others.
All of the things that a contractor would have to finish in any
conventional home.
The Truth: Log Homes (and “Kits”) take no less work
to build than conventional homes.
Log Home Myth #5
“ Log Homes are less expensive to build than other homes”
Fact: “Log Homes typically cost more than conventional
homes.”
As well they should. Wit all of the benefits considered, a log
home is worth more than a comparably appointed conventional home.
It is no that great an increase when viewed as a percentage of
the homes total cost. In addition, national real estate resale
data shows log homes consistently sell faster and for more than
comparably appointed conventional homes.
The Truth: Most log homes can be built for 5-10% more than a
comparably appointed conventional home.
Log Home Myth #6
“ Log Homes are easy to build”
Fact: “Log Homes are not easier or harder to build, just
different.”
The Truth: Since we have established that Log Homes are just
conventional homes with solid timber walls, most of the home
can be built with conventionally skilled tradesman. The only
difference being a little special knowledge needed for the log
system and system provisions. This special knowledge can be easily
obtained from a professional Log Home Rep.
Log Home Myth #7
“ Owning a Log Home will make me smarter, more attractive and popular”
Fact: This statement is relatively close to the truth, just slightly
con-convoluted. It should read:
The Truth: “Owning a Log Home will prove I’m smarter,
it’s natural setting will make me seem more attractive
and subsequently more popular”.
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