THE WOODRIDGE LOG HOME FAMILY
Together with our knowledge and
experience, you will have a home that has unique features that are truly a
direct reflection of you.
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Frequently asked Questions about our Log Homes
As you have seen, thousands of
satisfied Lok-N-Logs home owners can testify to the value of solid log
construction. Apart from the obvious aesthetic appeal of natural, solid wood
walls, we have shown that the potential for substantial cost savings exists
with some owner participation in the log home building process. You have also
heard Lok-N-Logs' customers attest to the exellent performance of their log
homes citing both low energy bills and the comfort of their log homes in all
seasons. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about our log
homes.
Q: Do You Treat Your Logs?
A: Yes, All of our log components are pressure-treated
with Sodium Borate an EPA-approved, environmentally friendly, odorless and colorless
wood preservative, This treatment process, which was developed by some of the
leading wood preservation specialists in the nation, provides initial
protection for your log material against decay and wood ingesting insects
(except Formosan subterranean termites). Our log material is pressure-treated
in LOK-N-LOGS' own treatment facilities so that we can monitor and control the
preservative process.
Q: Are Lok-N-Logs homes Kiln dried?
A: Yes, all wall log components are kiln dried, this helps
to minimize settling and to eliminate SAP seepage.
Q: Do My Logs Need
Further Treatment After My House is Finished?
A: Yes,
Any wood which is exposed to the elements needs to be maintained and preserved
in order to prevent mold and mildew formation, wood cell decay, insect attack
and discoloration caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays. We at LOK-N-LOGS take
proper maintenance so seriously that we include material for your initial
preservative treatment with your log home package. We recommend that you apply
this preservative soon after you build. As with other types of homes, gutters
and down spouts must be used. You should also pay particular attention to any
areas of your log walls that are exposed to backsplash from the ground, air
conditioning units, decks, etc. Your frequency of application depends upon the
location of your log home-whether it is situated in the deep woods or out in
the open. Generally you will need to retreat your log home on a 3 to 5-year
schedule.
Q: Is Shipping Included in the Cost of My Package?
A: Shipping is included within the first 200 miles from
our plant. Beyond the 200 mile range, trucking is arranged by LOK-N-LOGS
through independent carriers at a competitive rate. Most log home packages can
be delivered on one or two loads. Look closely at the package prices of any
company offering 'free' delivery. We're certain that you'll find an additional
cost associated with this 'free delivery'.
Q: How Are the Materials Unloaded at My Site?
A: To make unloading easier, you really should arrange for
a heavy duty forklift to be at your job site on the day of delivery. We suggest
a machine with a 14' lift height and a 6,000 pound lift capacity.
Q: Will I Have Difficulty Obtaining Financing?
A: No. Most lending institutions offer construction loans
for log homes. Generally, your local dealer is familiar with the lending
institutions in your area and can be a valuable resource as you put together
your financing package. Some lending institutions will not release funds until
the shell package is up and under roof. For this reason LOK-N-LOGS has
developed an interim financing program which allows you, with an approved bank
commitment, to delay your final payment to us until your shell is up and you
are able to secure your next bank draw. We will charge interest on the balance
owed to LOK-N-LOGS during this interim period.
Q: Can I Really Change Your Designs or Even Design My Own Home?
A: You can do either as long as your design ideas are
structurally possible (and we'll let you know if they're not). Many customers
change our standard designs to reflect their own personal tastes or to meet
their individual lifestyle needs. Our experienced design team will also work
from your own unique design, or from your architect's. We will prepare
preliminary floor plans and, once you have approved them, we will complete your
final drawings which will include extensive plans, details and sections from
the foundation through the roof structure.
Q: How Much Do Custom Designed Homes Cost?
A: The cost of any house, custom or standard, should be
determined by the quantity of materials used: the footage of wall logs, the
numbers and types of windows and doors, the number of floor joists, trusses or
rafters, etc. and by the complexity of the log house design. At LOK-N-LOGS,
the only variable for a custom log home is for the preparation of your plans.
This fee will depend upon the nature of the house design and upon the
engineering and code requirements in effect where the log home is going to be
constructed.
Q: How Do I Heat My Home?
A: Generally, you can use any type of heating system
and/or fuel which you choose. Customers usually use whatever system is most
economical and practical in their area. Many LOK-N-LOGS homeowners use some
type of wood heat, either as a primary or secondary source. The comments which
we received from LOK-N-LOGS customers Dick and Bonnie Niles are typical.
"Our log home heats easily in the winter and is very cool in the
summer," they write. "The entire staff was very cooperative with us
during the design and building stages. We would not hesitate to build
again."
Q: Can I Build My Log Home Myself, or Do I Need a Contractor?
A: If your lending institution will approve your loan,
given that you plan to do the construction yourself, you need only basic tools
and some limited building aptitude to complete the log portion of the
structure. All of our log components are precut to the correct lengths and
numbered. You will receive a computer generated log wall elevation drawing
which corresponds to our log numbering system and shows the location of each
log in your package. Remember, construction of a log home requires a lot of
muscle, but no particular magic. Regardless of whether you choose to build your
log home yourself or if you hire a contractor, a LOK-N-LOGS representative will
be at your site to help you start your log construction.
Q: Is Obtaining Fire Insurance a Problem?
A: No. The insurance for a log home is virtually the same
insurance which you would obtain for a conventionally constructed home and
generally costs the same. We have fire rating information on file at LOK-N-LOGS
should your carrier require additional information.
Q: How Do I Estimate Completion Cost?
A: The per square foot "turn-key" cost of your
log home will be approximately the same as the finished cost of conventionally
constructed homes in your area if you choose to have the house built and
finished without any participation on your part. Remember that finish materials
and labor costs vary widely in different localities.
To illustrate: if you are building a 1,500 square foot log home and the
approximate contractor cost in your area is $100.00 per square foot then your
completed house, ready to move in should cost about; $150,000. Your local
dealer, or a local contractor, can give you the most accurate estimate of costs
in your area. Obviously, if you are able to participate in some parts or all of
the construction process you can realize a substantial savings in construction
labor costs.
Q: How Are Plumbing and Wiring Handled in Log Home Construction?
A: Most of these utilities are run within interior
partitions which are constructed from typical framing materials or up through
closet spaces. Plumbing pipes are run between floors and within interior
partitions. Vertical channels for electrical wiring to switches and outlet
boxes located in log walls are drilled onsite as the initial log courses are
stacked. The cavities for the wall outlets are generally notched out of your
third course logs in the desired locations. The actual wires can be easily
'fished up' later. Notches for any wall switches or light fixtures alongside
doors and windows are routed into the log ends before your window and door
jambs are installed.
Q: Do I Get Any On-Site Assistance when Log Construction Begins?
A: Yes. We send a technical field assistant (or if you buy
your LOK-N-LOGS home from one of our dealers, he or she will assist you)to help
you on your first day of log construction. Our field assistants are there to
help you or your contractor start erecting the first few log courses and to
pass on helpful hints about things such as drilling for electrical outlets. We
at LOK-N-LOGS take great pride in our family of log home professionals.
Q: What About Assistance Later On?
A: We like to feel that LOK-N-LOGS has demonstrated its
intention to stand behind our log homes for the long haul. For that reason, one
of our home office staff, or your local LOK-N-LOGS dealer is always available
to answer a question or to clear up a concern. Usually, a telephone call will
be enough but, if your question cannot be answered over the phone, we assume
the responsibility of making a trip to your job site wherever it happens to
be. Our continued success would not have been possible without such a strong
commitment to our previous log home customers. We know that our best advocates
are our legion of satisfied customers, like Carol and Hank Romanowki, who know
that LOK-N-LOGS cares! "It has really been a pleasure doing business with
such fine, reliable people," they wrote. "Believe me, we recommend
LOK-N-LOGS highly to all of our friends, family and even to strangers."