Log Home Costs

How much is building a log home going to cost? Its the big question, and if you're brave enough to ask how much a log home is going to cost, you're probably seriously considering building a log home.

The short answer: The average log home built in the US costs $90-110 with turnkey construction.

$90 is for lower-end construction. $110 is for higher end construction. That's a very rough estimate, and it doesn't include basement space, a garage, or a covered deck. Add $35-$55 per square foot to get the cost for garages and basements and $25-$35 per square foot for covered decks.

Here's what some different sized log homes are going to cost based on that estimate:

800 square feet: $72,000-$88,000
Very small, but a reasonably-sized place to sleep for people who want to spend most of the time outside. There are some very cute and very smart super-small cabin designs that get the most out of every square foot.

1200 square feet: $108,000-$132,000
Modest, but a mansion to most city apartment dwellers, and not much smaller than the average sized US house in 1970, which was 1,400 square feet. To maximize space, go with an open layout, and be sure to have plenty of storage. Small spaces can work just fine, but cluttered small spaces aren't so good.

1600 square feet: $144,000-$176,000
Enough room for a reasonably sized living room, a generously sized master bedroom and bath, a guest bath, two good-sized bedrooms, and a fairly spacious eat-in kitchen.

2000 square feet: $180,000-$220,000
Most designs will be similar to the 1,600 layout, and add the extra 400 square feet for a more ample great room.

2400 square feet: $216,000-$264,000
This is actually bit larger than the average US home in 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

3000 square feet: $270,000-$330,000
Plenty of room for a spacious great room, kitchen and master suite, plus a dining room, three (or more) bedrooms and an extra sitting area.


A typical two car garage is between 450 and 600 square feet.

Estimated price for a 450 square foot garage: $15,750-$24,750 (cost difference is for high versus low quality construction)
Estimated price for a 600 square foot garage: $21,000-$33,000


Here are some typical porch square foot counts and prices ($25-$35 per square foot) for log homes for these sizes:

800 square feet: 200 square feet: $5,000-$7,000
1200 square feet: 400 square feet: $10,000-$14,000
1600 square feet: 500 square feet: $12,500-$17,500
2000 square feet: 550 square feet: $13,750-$19,250
2400 square feet: 650 square feet: $16,250-$22,750
> 3000 square feet: 750 square feet: $18,750-$26,250


So, here's a final (but still extremely rough) estimate for each size log cabin. The costs for the garage and the deck are in the middle of the cost estimates for garages and decks.

800 square feet
log home: $72,000-$88,000
no garage
porch: $6,000
TOTAL: $78,000-$94,000

1200 square feet
log home: $108,000-$132,000
450 square foot, lower cost construction garage: $15,750
porch: $12,000
TOTAL: $135,750-$159,750

1200 square feet
log home: $108,000-$132,000
450 square foot, lower cost construction garage: $15,750
porch: $12,000
TOTAL: $135,750-$159,750

1600 square feet
log home: $144,000-$176,000
450 square foot, higher cost construction garage: $24,750
porch: $15,000
TOTAL: $183,750-$215,750

2000 square feet
log home: $180,000-$220,000
600 square foot, lower cost construction garage: $21,000
porch: $16,500
TOTAL: $217,500-$257,750

2400 square feet
log home: $216,000-$264,000
600 square foot, medium cost construction garage: $26,000
porch: $19,500
TOTAL: $261,500-$309,500

3000 square feet
log home: $270,000-$330,000
600 square foot, high cost construction garage: $33,000
porch: $22,500
TOTAL: $325,500-$385,500


Just to say it once more, these are very, very rough estimates. Every log home is different - that's what makes them special. Where you build and how you build can shift these costs as much as 30% up or down.

How To Build A Log Cabin