The cost of building a log home can be comparable to building any custom built conventional home. Many builders will quote you a per square foot cost. We’ve found through our 30 plus years of experience that a per square foot cost can be inaccurate. There are too many options and design factors in building a custom home to be accurate in providing a per square foot price. Structure design, log styles and sizes, floor coverings, cabinetry and counter tops etc. all factor into the overall project cost.

     We often compare the cost of a home to the purchase of a new car. If you asked a car salesman how much does a four door car cost, he is going to want to know what make, model, and options you want before he can give you a price. Each option has a price tag and changes the price of the car. Building a home is no different.

     We price the building of our homes after direct consultation with each individual client and a building site visit. In order to provide our clients with a contractual price to build their home, a set of drawings and specifications is needed as well as knowledge of the building site location.

     There are a significant number of factors to consider when determining a budget. Each of these  has variables that affect the overall budget as well.   There are several factors that you will have little control on budget, for example the price of land, the site preparation, access roads, water, septic systems and the utilities. 

     Once these variables have been considered, we can then determine how much is "left over" for the design of the home.  There are several variables that affect this equation as well.   The decisions you make on how your home will look affect things like how many logs are needed, the time and labor required during the construction phase, and materials required for structural integrity. 

     These numbers must be firmed up before construction begins so no "surprises" develop in the budget.  We suggest you start by setting a realistic maximum cost, the amount that you cannot or are not willing to exceed, then subtract 15% to allow for reasonable changes to be made during the construction phase.  Changes are inevitable - they will happen.  The goal is that the changes not negatively affect your bottom line.
    
     The next step is to itemize features/amenities that you would like in your home, prioritizing them into 3 categories - imperative, important, would have if budget allows.  This allows you to have flexibility in the design process.

     We have a worksheet that a client may use to begin this phase, but we have found that a series of meetings with the client allows for a smoother navigation in this process.