Thinking about buying an existing a Log Home? Contemplating building one purchased from a log home manufacturer? Unsure about whose product is better? If you are looking at an existing log home to purchase, has it been properly constructed? Or if building, will it be properly constructed? These are just a few of the questions that run through the minds of potential log homeowners.
Log homes are unique and quite different from your typical conventional type housing. There are a wide variety of manufactured products to consider and an even broader range of log home builders. One could drive themselves crazy contemplating such items as species, joinery systems, corner styles, roof designs, and on and on. When it comes to purchasing a pre-manufactured kit to assemble the general rule of thumb is you get exactly what you pay for. If a deal seems almost to good to be true, then it probably is. If you are contemplating the purchase of an existing log home structure, you are probably going to want piece of mind that the structure was properly built. The last thing a new homeowner wants to face after moving in is problem areas and costly repairs.
Since log homes are in fact a unique home requiring special skills to properly construct the home, it may be wise to consider hiring a home inspector prior to the purchase for consultation on your project. A qualified inspector should be nationally certified and also have a background in log homes and log home construction. Depending on the type and degree of services requested fees should range from $230 - $500 for consultation and/or inspections. An experienced inspector should be able to guide you through the process and point you into the right direction, if you are planning on building a pre-manufactured kit. If you are looking at purchasing an existing structure a log home inspection can provide you with a listing of any deficiencies and provide you with an estimated cost to rectify those deficiencies.
Improperly constructed log home packages may seem satisfactory to the untrained eye, but may have serious problem which could result in thousands of dollars in costly repairs. This is particularly true with the log jointery system. There are many methods of adjoining logs to prevent water and air infiltration, some are good, some are not. Untrained builders can also create deficiencies even if the manufacture's product is good.
Properly constructed built-up roof systems, which are common to many log and timber framed homes, are also a potential problem area when not properly constructed. A trained home inspector specializing in log home construction, can provide insight on the proper construction of such a system.
The old saying "let the buyer beware" has taken on a new meaning in today's market place and now can require the opinions of experts in various fields.