FAQ’s
Energy Solid log homes are still being built as authentic reproductions of days gone by. However, it is an ever increasing battle to meet the modern energy requirements with solid log construction. Using typical framing techniques allows us to insulate wall cavities just like any other house and create a continuous wind break on the outside of the wall to avoid drafts. The log siding on the exterior and pine interior finish only further the insulating properties of the wall.
Customization Although solid log homes of today’s age are very customizable, it all comes at a high price. Custom electrical and plumbing is easy with framed walls and does not require costly drilling and notching of logs. This allows our floor plans to be completely flexible without concerns about costs or fixture locations, etc.
Cost Modern log homes have grown far from their primitive roots. Many of today’s log homes are between 2,500-7,000 square feet and each is very customized. It is costly for manufacturers of these large homes to construct a modestly sized log home, and therefore they typically charge $150 per square foot or more. Our framing techniques allow us to use more conventional building products and construct homes of various sizes all for affordable prices.
Appearance With our white pine log siding on the exterior and horizontal pine boards inside it is still that rustic cabin look your heart is yearning for.
Modular homes and trailer houses are often put in the same category in people’s minds. They are completely different. Modular Homes are basically stick-built homes that are built in a factory and delivered to the job site. They are built to the same codes as site-built homes and are thoroughly inspected in the factory by plant quality assurance inspectors as well as a third-party agency to ensure complete code compliance. They then have third-party and state labels affixed to each home to show compliance. A modular home must be placed on a permanent foundation.
In contrast, trailer houses (HUD code homes) are built on a trailer frames with axels under them. They are typically placed on a concrete slab and simply set on concrete blocks. They are built to a federal code which allows them to ‘cut corners’ and build homes much cheaper than local building codes allow. This has rightfully given many people a low-class impression of trailer houses.
Better Construction Because modular homes must be built to withstand the forces of truck delivery and lifting forces when the crane places them on their foundations they are generally built considerably stronger than a site-built home.
Bulk Materials Modular construction allows the manufacturer to purchase all materials in bulk quantities. Many common building supplies are bought by the truck load. This buying power allows us to purchase products at a better price than the typical site contractor who is forced to purchase at a local lumberyard and then ship multiple products separately to your job site
Weather Protection If you’ve built a home through a snowy or rainy season you know the effects it can have on your partially built home. When working with deadlines lumber is often covered before it has time to dry out and can have effects on the longevity of your home. Modular homes are built in a climate controlled facility, and are completely weather-tight before leaving the factory.
Inspections Every bit of construction that takes place in our factory is already inspected to your local code requirements as it is being built. No need to worry about the delay of the next contractor while you wait on the local inspector’s schedule. All the local inspector needs to see is the site work, such as the foundation, etc.
Time frame Are you working with a tight dead-line? Modular construction allows home construction to be taking place at the same as site excavating and foundation construction. Homes can literally be delivered a day after the foundation is completed, and you can often be moved in a week later.
Recreational cabins are typically used for hunting camps, weekend retreats, etc. and are not primary residences. Some locations have code exemptions for these use types. For example: Pennsylvania allows you to sign a form saying you will not use the cabin for your primary residence and it exempts you from all residential building codes. This form can be found here This is a perfect fit for that cabin that you are using only a few times in the winter and you do not want to spend all the extra money to insulate it to the latest residential requirements. It allows you to model your cabin as you like without working against minimum room sizes, bathroom clearances, heating system limitations, etc. However, if you plan to retire in this cabin some day, or sell it as a residence – go ‘Certified Home’. Also be aware that not all states allow this exemption.
Certified homes are built to the same codes as if it were built on-site. Each home includes a specific detailed drawing set to simplify your permit process, and each home is inspected in our facility to ensure complete code compliance. The exterior walls are or 2x6 construction (versus 2x4 for Recreational Cabins) and the insulation values are higher in the floor, walls and ceiling. We supply all the tools and knowledge needed to build a home to meet or exceed all the latest residential codes.
First of all: If it is a ‘Certified Home’ it must be on a permanent foundation, meaning a minimum of a crawl space foundation. A good percentage of our homes are installed on full basements, doubling the possible living space.
If you are purchasing a small ‘Recreational Cabin’ that is not required to meet residential building codes you have a few more options. Our single-wide recreational cabins (12’-14’ wide Settlers & Trailblazers and 14’-16’ wide Adirondacks and Cape Cods) have the option of being installed on a concrete slab. Even a crushed stone base is an option for shorter lengths. A crushed stone or concrete base will require a plumbing access pit under the bathroom area to connect the utilities. Any cabin over 16’ wide will require a minimum of a crawl space foundation. Any cabin (single or double-wide) can be placed on a full basement if desired.
We offer package deals that bring you basically everything above the foundation besides furnishings and kitchen appliances. Here is a partial list of major items:
- Entire exterior shell, including two coats of preservative on the exterior
- Fiberglass entry door(s) and single-hung windows with Low-E/Argon glass
- Insulation in walls & ceiling and shipped loose for the floor
- Knotty pine tongue & groove boards on the walls & ceiling throughout the interior – clear coated
- Yellow Pine flooring – finished with a 7-coat aluminum-oxide process
- Complete electrical package including ceiling fans, lights, breakers, etc.
- Bathroom(s) including fixtures as dictated by plans – toilets, showers/tubs, sinks/vanities, water heater, etc.
- Kitchens with Formica counter tops and double-bowl stainless steel sinks. The typical cabinets are constructed of Pine, but Hickory cabinets are also available.
- Solid pine raised panel interior doors
- Foundation installation / site grading
- After installation of cabin or home:
- Insulation in walls & ceiling and shipped loose for the floor
- Connect your electric source to the already installed panel box
- Install the floor insulation. *This step is already completed on Recreational Cabins, but homes require a higher R-value fiberglass insulation (which we supply) that must be installed after the plumbing is connected in the floor system.
- Kitchen appliances. We exclude the appliances (refrigerator, range, dishwasher) to avoid the risk of damage during transportation. However, built-in appliances such as range hoods are included. Over-range microwaves are optional.
We do not sell our cabins or homes by the square foot. Obviously the style of the home can affect the cost without even changing the square footage. Generally styles with vaulted ceilings (such as Adirondacks, Cape Cods, and Mountaineer Deluxe Homes) cost quite a bit more per square foot. Extremely small sizes that still include a kitchen and bath are also more costly per square foot because of all the features packed into the smaller footprint. As a rough estimate our packages range from about $85 to $120 per square foot. (This includes the standard porches, but does not include the foundation, appliances or furnishings.)
Just like any log home the exterior of our cabins require some maintenance. We install two coats of preservative to the outside of your new cabin during construction. It is a semi-transparent stain to allow the beautiful natural-pine look show through. Over time the sun will slowly break down this exterior stain and a new treatment must be applied. This periodical treatment is typically needed at 2-5 year intervals, depending on the cabin’s exposure to direct sunlight.
Our interiors are a different story. There is virtually no maintenance to do to our knotty pine interiors or finished flooring.
Re-staining the exterior of your cabin is fairly simple, and most of our customers do it themselves. If the surface is free of mildew you can simply wash the exterior down with a pressure washer. (If there is any indication of mildew you will also want to wash those areas with a bleach mixture or some type of mildew destroyer.) Then let the walls dry for a day and re-stain it. The stain can be applied with a large brush, or you can spray it onto the wall and back-brush it to eliminate runs & drips.
No. All our cabins and homes are built in our factory as modular units and delivered to your site. The completion of these modules on-site takes special equipment and knowledge. We send an experienced crew to your site to complete the process. However, we do offer ‘shells’, which means the exterior of your cabin is complete but the inside is unfinished. If you want to save some money and say you did it yourself you can order a shell and design and install the interior yourself. We also offer other partial package options, such as eliminating the kitchen or bath fixtures if desired.
This can vary with the size of the cabin and our workload. We usually can deliver a single-wide recreational cabin within 3-7 weeks. If you are purchasing a double-module or any size full-time residence expect an 8-12 week lead time, as these have longer construction times as well as more paperwork to be completed. During this time we create your paperwork and order products, and then your order waits a short period to fit into the schedule. Actual construction time of your cabin in our factory is about two weeks.
We require a 50% down payment to start construction. We will also have you sign an exact and itemized price quote as the contract. Prior to delivery of your cabin you are required to supply an additional 30%. The balance (20%) is due to the set-up crew before they leave the job site or, if any issues have arisen, when all issues are resolved and you are satisfied. If you are working with a bank or mortgage company we can sometimes proceed with a lesser down payment if an acceptable letter from your lender is received promising financial responsibility for the project.
No. Our modular homes are built to the same building codes as all site-built homes. You can secure your loan through your local bank or mortgage company. Our customers all work with their personal lender of choice.
Definitely! We seldom build two cabins alike. We have designed many floor plans as suggestions. This allows us to provide full-package pricing, and provides a great starting place for your own custom design. Don’t see any plans that appeal to you? Have your own unique layout you love? We are glad to bring even a simple hand sketch to life! We are glad to draw your floor plan to scale and price it for you.
No. Our modular homes are built to the same building codes as all site-built homes. You can secure your loan through your local bank or mortgage company. Our customers all work with their personal lender of choice.
Just like the interior layout many of the exterior elements are also customizable. Steeper roofs, larger/additional porches, bump-out rooms, larger windows, and much more are all possible. If you don’t see what you want, just ask. Some of our current designs were based off great customer ideas like your own.
Our buildings have been delivered to many states across the U.S., but our primary region is the Northeast. With the help of our dealer network we are building homes for Virginia, Maine and basically everywhere in between. Tell us what area you wish to build your new home or weekend getaway and we will refer you to the closest dealership. The nearby dealer is your best choice as they are close by to look at your site access and coordinate delivery and set-up. We do sell directly to customers in eastern Pennsylvania and areas not adequately covered by dealers.