Log Home Builders: How to Find a Good Builder

Even if you buy a log cabin kit, you will still need someone to assemble it for you. That's where log home builders come in. Given that you are entrusting a kit that you just paid $20,000 to $120,000 for to your builder, it definitely makes sense to put in the effort to find a good one. Here is how to "do your homework" to find that builder.

Success Breeds Success

If you know anyone who has had a log cabin built from scratch or from a log cabin kit, get their recommendations for builders, and heavily weight the builder that actually did the job. Just keep in mind that there are differences for every job - custom cabins are very different jobs than cabin kits, and even building on a steep slope versus on flat ground is a very different job. While one reference is better than nothing, it would certainly be worthwhile to get several references. Try putting notes in the mailboxes of log cabins you like, with your email or phone number. You might get lucky and get a tip on a builder that is perfect for your project.

You are clearly going to have to work with local companies, so unless you are buying your kit from a very large national company you may have trouble finding a builder that has built the same kind of kit that you are buying.

Check with other professionals in the real estate profession. Local banks, building departments, lumber yards and mortgage brokers are good people to ask, as are real estate brokers, especially if they have sold a few different log cabins. These brokers will know how a builders work holds up over time. If you can talk to a local housing inspector, that's even better - they will be able to see the critical technical differences that either make or break a house over the years. Keep asking people until you start getting "overlap" recommendations. In other words, if the mortgage lender, building inspector and two cabin owners all say Sal's Construction did a good job, you may have found your man. But if you keep getting new names every time you ask someone, be extra careful as you proceed.

Use Your Plans

After references, you will have to have your log cabin plans on hand to show the builders. They will not give you a quote without the plans. Be sure to get bids for labor only, not materials, from each builder so you can see their line-item, not lump sum estimations for how long each part of the project will take and how much it will cost.

You may have to back to the builders to get specifics on labor, and even extra materials not included in the cabin kit. It may take a bit of teeth-pulling. Do not give in and give up. You must be able to compare apples to apples what the costs are. The time you spend here will be worthwhile, because if you do not do it now, your lender may ask you to go back and do it later.

Finally, watch out for "mark-up" materials costs from builders who say they can get materials locally for less than what you are being charged for in the kit. Most of the time a builder can not do better than the package price, and any real price reductions from materials are just being rolled into labor costs. "Front loading" is a similar sneaky technique where a builder overcharges for labor costs like clearing land and excavating. Of course, a smart builder will put in a little room for error, but when "room for error" becomes 20% of the cost, then you need to start asking questions.

How To Build A Log Cabin