FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Since 1975 Lodge Logs has designed log homes and manufactured log packages for thousands of satisfied customers all over the world.

WHAT LOG SIZE IS BEST FOR MY AREA?

Lodge Logs manufactures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12-inch diameter logs. Log size depends on your budget, preference, and the size of the home, as well as the climate and requirements of local building agencies.

WILL MY HOME REQUIRE A SPECIAL FOUNDATION?

No, log homes utilize the same type of foundation as a conventionally built home.

ARE LOG HOMES ENERGY EFFICIENT?

Yes. Studies have shown log homes to be as much, if not more energy efficient than conventionally framed houses. Log homes derive their energy efficiency through Thermal Mass. Solid log walls absorb heat and store it. When the temperature in the home drops below that of the log wall, the stored heat energy is radiated back into the home.

WHEN WILL MY LOGS BE DELIVERED?

Generally, our production time for a log package is six to eight weeks from time of order. However, with Lodge Logs having built a new manufacturing facility, we will be in a better position to produce log packages quicker during the peak part of the year, which is from April to October.

WHO CAN BUILD MY HOME?

CAN I OBTAIN ONSITE SUPERVISION?

Lodge Logs does not have a crew to erect our log homes, however, many of our authorized Dealers are general contractors. If you are not located near an area that is close to one of our Dealers, we can recommend a competent builder in your area or provide limited on-site supervision for the home buyer that would prefer to build their own log home. We recommend that on-site supervision from the factory or an authorized Lodge Logs' Dealer be used for the construction of your home, so that it is put together properly.

HOW MUCH WILL MY LOG HOME COST?

The average cost of a log home in the U.S. is approximately from$100-$200 and up per square foot, turnkey (price may vary depending on your location; basement space and garage area are not included in this estimation and what finished products that are used in your home). The term "turnkey" means that the home has been constructed to a "move-in" state. Turnkey cost does not include cost of the land or any site improvements (such as forest clearing, driveway building, installation of utilities, etc.).

Lodge Logs offers packages at very competitive prices. Log package prices vary according to log diameter, wood species and the complexity of the home you design. Within the construction industry, it is generally recognized that log packages account for 20 to 30 percent of a home's total cost.

WHAT COMES WITH MY LOG PACKAGE?

Your Lodge Logs wall only package includes everything you need to erect the eight-foot high exterior log wall system: thru-bolts, couplers, nuts, washers, tension springs, key blocks and micro foam sealer. All wall logs are kiln-dried to the TPI "Select KD" standard. Window and door openings are precut, and wall logs are pre-drilled for thru-bolt fastening.

The Lodge Logs structural shell package includes everything in the Lodge Logs wall only package plus nine foot high exterior walls, log gables, full log dormer faces, half log siding for dormer sides, second floor log joists, log roof system, log posts and headers.

Illustration below is for illustrative purpose only; it does not represent what will actually come in each basic floor plan. Log components vary from each floor plan and you must consult Lodge Logs representative.

We also produce log trusses, log stairs, log railing, custom log mantles, 1/4 notched logs for corners, custom lathed and sanded log poles up to 20" diameter x 34 feet, log beds, half and 2X log siding, and custom cut rough sawn beams.

Illustration: Lodge Logs' Log Shell Drawing

At Lodge Logs we only provide the log components for your home. We do not offer lumberyard materials in our packages such as studs, insulation, windows, doors, sheathing, etc. You should only purchase these items as you need them from you local lumberyard. This will give you more control over your building project and greater cost savings.

Here are a few of the challenges you may run into with all-inclusive materials packages, as offered by many other log home companies:

• More up front costs -- Staggering the procurement of the lumber materials throughout the construction process makes a lot more sense, and is easier on the interest accumulation of your construction loan.

• Higher overall cost -- Materials not directly manufactured by the log home company are merely pass through products. These materials are purchased by the log home company from another source and then marked up for a profit and the handling of the materials by the log home company. Purchasing lumberyard products from a local source will save you money. There is no middle man.

• Warranty issues -- The materials you receive may be damaged or of an inferior grade. If this happens, you would need to go through the log home company in order to have these items replaced. In the meantime your construction crew is unable to complete work because they lack the necessary materials. The local lumberyard can more quickly solve these problems.

• Shortage issues -- If you are short materials, questions arise as to who's responsible and how soon can the shorted materials be shipped. Again, the local lumberyard is better suited to respond to such a problem.

• Storage issues -- All inclusive materials packages require you to take delivery on items such as doors and windows that will not be needed for several weeks. During that time you must keep them protected from the elements. The materials must also be out of the way so not to get damaged, and secure to avoid any theft. Dimensional lumber exposed to weather will warp and twist making the material unusable.

You or your building contractor should purchase lumberyard products locally to avoid the above stated problems. It makes no sense logistically or economically to buy these items from a log home company. Local lumberyards will do a complete takeoff on materials for you based on your final construction drawings, so you can track where each penny is being spent. Log home companies that offer all inclusive materials packages typically do not supply a complete materials list and cost breakdown.

WHAT WOOD SPECIES DO YOU OFFER?

We offer Lodge Pole Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Spruce, Douglas Fir. These wood species provide excellent structural and insulative characteristics. When maintained properly with a high quality wood preservative, they will last indefinitely.

DO YOUR PRICES INCLUDE DELIVERY?

Log package prices do not include shipping. Either the factory or your nearest Lodge Logs dealer will make arrangements for your shipment and will quote a price based on distance from the factory, FOB Boise, ID.

DO YOU OFFER CUSTOM DESIGNS?

Yes! We can modify a standard plan or design a custom home to fit your needs. Our standard floor plans often provide a starting point for our customers in deciding what they want in their homes.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Contact your log home professionals at Lodge Logs: (click here)

• Contact a mortgage lender to determine loan amount. These web sites are a great source for information concerning mortgages www.gregebersole.americanlogmortgage.com or  www.systembuilt.com.

• Find your land for the project.

• Based on loan amount and final land cost determine the turnkey budget for the home. The average turnkey cost of a log home built in the U.S. is approximately $150 and up per square foot of finished living area. Another way to calculate turnkey cost is to take the high-end, custom, stick frame figure for the area and use those numbers for a rough estimate.

• Select your log home company. This decision should be based on the companies' quality of log products, customer service, history, pricing, warranty, and capabilities. Warranties should be examined thoroughly (click here to examine our warranty).

• Start the design/planning process. Begin with either a pre-existing plan or design a custom plan. Make certain to keep the home design within your budget. Call us for pricing on the floor plan that interests you.

• Our designers work directly with you. It is their goal to guide you through the planning process, ultimately arriving at the log home you have envisioned. Our design team will offer cost saving suggestions, and aesthetic details blending functionality and architectural beauty.

LODGE LOGS PLANS ARE COPYRIGHTED AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED UNLESS YOU HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM LODGE LOGS.

• In order to contract design services with Lodge Logs, we require a 10% deposit based on the estimated package cost for a set of preliminary drawings. These consist of floor plans and four elevations.

• Once the design of the home meets your satisfaction we will provide you with an estimate for the log materials package. A refundable 25% deposit based on the log materials package estimate is required to begin work on final construction drawings. This deposit is refundable less any design and drafting fees, typically at a rate of $1.50 per square foot.  The deposit will also be credited towards the purchase price of the package. Final package pricing will be confirmed when the final construction drawings have been completed. Final plans include foundation plan, floor plans, elevations, framing plans, cross-sections, typical details and general notes. With final construction drawings you can arrive at the complete cost of your new log home.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION OR CONTACT THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER?

• Browse this web site for additional information on specific floor plans and pictures.
• To communicate with someone directly at our corporate office, email us at sales@lodgelogs.com or call 800-533-2450 or 208-336-2450 in Idaho.
• You can also fax us at 208-343-6490.
• To locate a sales professional nearest you click here.