Innholdsfortegnelse for Log & Timber Home Planner 2024 i Log and Timber Home Living

Whether you plan to finance your log or timber home or pay cash, it’s important to establish a sound budget and convey it to your design/build team. If you’re unsure about what you can afford, use an online mortgage estimator tool to help calculate a monthly principal and interest. (You’ll find one at loghome.com/mortgage-calculator and timberhomeliving.com/mortgage-calculator.) To prevent surprises or deal with unforeseen overages (they almost always come up), set your working budget slightly less than the maximum calculated, and hold back 15 to 20 percent as a contingency. Then start contacting lenders experienced with financing log and timber homes to start the loan process, beginning with pre-qualification. Later, once you’ve finalized your design, you can work with your builder and lender to obtain your actual loan. HOW MUCH HOME…

TRUSSES ARE THE STAR of the show in timber frame homes, and your timber frame provider will help you decide the details of what type, size and positioning is right for your project. To get you started, we’ve created a high-level view of how trusses can dramatically affect the aesthetic of your home. ◼ A KING POST TRUSS with straight knee braces fits a rustic, barn vibe thanks to its straightforward design with simple lines. For added softness, try incorporating curved braces.◼ For an elegant approach, consider the more intricate QUEEN POST TRUSS. The rectangle within the triangle adds a little shot of drama.◼ To create uninterrupted views to an end-wall window display, an ornate HAMMERBEAM TRUSS fits the bill, due to its central opening. Ideal for large great rooms,…

At first glance, it’s fair to fuse log and timber homes into a singular style. Both genres comprise stunning wood structures with nostalgic appeal and longevity beyond compare — and both come with their own storied histories. But take a closer look, and you’ll find the two construction methods to be quite distinct. Timber framing (sometimes referred to as post-and-beam) dates back far longer than building with logs, yet today’s buyers often misidentify it as log construction, since both use heavy wood components as the load-bearing framework of their respective structures. If it all feels a little unclear, stress not. We’re about to break down the essential elements of each type — their similarities, differences and the choices available to you as you shop for a log or timber home…

One of the best parts of designing your dream log or timber home is the chance to make it truly yours. Even if you start with a stock plan, small tweaks can transform a typical layout into a totally custom design that caters to your life now and in the future. (Chances are, if you’re building a log or timber home, you intend for this to be a forever home.) Here are a few big ideas to keep in mind as you begin shaping the floor plan that will become the log or timber home of your dreams for years to come. 1 FLEX SPACE It’s common practice to identify each room within a floor plan, and while this may help to avoid confusion, it also may restrict how you…

Building a custom home is very much a team sport — this is particularly true if you’d like to save a little money by acting as your own general contractor or project manager. Beyond you and your log or timber provider, there are many key players who will help the final details of your home come to fruition. Hiring and managing subcontractors, from carpenters to electricians, is a skill in itself. If you can master it, it will help you stay on-schedule and on-budget. Here’s how to navigate the world of subcontractors so you can communicate clearly, set expectations and ultimately, successfully create your dream home together. SUBS 101 Almost all subcontractors are small-business owners who are in a competitive arena where it’s difficult to make a living. When work…

It’s important to know your role in the building process, which will affect financing and your budget, as well as a wide range of responsibilities. Labor accounts for up to 40 percent of the cost of a new home, so you may be able to save some money by performing some of it yourself, if (and only if) you have the time and expertise to do it well. Keep in mind that if you’re obtaining financing, your lender may not approve the loan if a qualified, licensed builder is not at the helm, due to the risk factor. All things being equal, you have three basic building options: professionally built, owner-contractor or owner-builder. PROFESSIONALLY BUILT In choosing this path, you’ll be responsible for choosing the design but then you will…

Shopping for a log or timber home package can be feel overwhelming at times — after all, these homes are beyond many people’s everyday experience. But it’s also supposed to be fun! We’ve drilled down to some key questions you should contemplate in the purchase process so you can feel confident and excited about moving forward with a provider of your choice. 1. Are you comfortable with the log or timber home representative that you are working with? Here are some warning signs: ◼ Can’t answer specific questions about products or pricing; has to consult supervisor or someone else◼ Fails to keep appointments or return phone calls◼ Doesn’t keep promises◼ Pressures you for a deposit or purchase agreement◼ Fails to thoroughly explain procedures and terms◼ Sales effort is directed toward…