FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How do I get started with Mountain Log Homes of Colorado?

A: Mountain Log Homes will walk you through every step. First we will determine if you prefer Milled or Handcrafted Logs based on your taste, timeline, and budget. We will provide some basic floor plan options as a starting point to get a feel for how you live and what you like. We rarely build a floor plan exactly as provided by the log “plan book” but rather use these as a jumping off point for your unique vision.

To start the planning, floor plan and blue print stage, a deposit in the amount based on the square footage of your proposed plan is required. This will be approx. $2/square foot. You then work directly with one member of the design team/architect at the log supplier to ensure your personal needs and desires are met to complete the preliminary plans. Once you approve your plans and sign off on them, the final set of construction plans are produced for you to take for engineering, permits in your area.

In order to be placed on the schedule at our building site a deposit of 5 to 10% is required to reserve a position in the production line, this deposit goes towards your first payment on you Pioneer log home.

Q: Are log homes more expensive than framed homes?

A: Not necessarily. Design and exterior finishes of comparable homes can affect the cost. Some floor plans are not designed to be log homes because of numerous corners and complexity of the roof system. The main cost difference for a log home is from the vaulted ceilings and log perlins. The labor involved to fit the components together compared to a truss roof on a framed home can be greater. You can choose a roof design to fit your budget. Log walls are finished on the outside and inside of a home and do not require the labor and lumber of interior framing, insulation, drywall, and a siding or stone masonry on the exterior, and can actually cost less per square foot than a framed walls on a home with a natural stone exterior finish.

Your choice of log diameter will affect the price of your log home. A 8-10” diameter log home can be extremely competitive with a traditional stick frame constructed home.

Q: How much does a log home cost per square foot?

A: For a complete Turn-Key Home, our current average building costs in Summit County can run between $250-$325 per square foot dependent on the finishes you choose, complexity of roof system, and development cost of the lot including permits, utilities, driveway access, retaining walls and excavation. Building costs can vary from County to County.

Our home owners have complete control over their finish choices which can affect the end price of the home. We will give you a detailed budget to work from at the beginning of your project so you can track exactly what you are spending and adjust your finial finish choices accordingly.

We can provide features expected in a quality mountain home like Slab Granite counter tops, Radiant Heat, and hardwood floors for the $250/sq. ft. range. Your cabinetry, appliance packages, lighting and plumbing fixture choices may vary and add to the overall cost per square foot. Mountain Log Homes General Contracting services are an “open book” cost plus contract.

Q: What is the R-value of logs?

A: Different species of wood have different R-values. The most common log is a Lodge Pole Pine which has an R-Value of 1.5 per inch plus you add in the thermal mass factor because a log is mass that collects heat and slowly releases it of another 1.5, so combined they are R-3 per inch. So for example, a 10 inch log would have an R-30 wall, which is excellent for any home and climate to keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer.

Q: Do you sell Log Home Kits?

A: Yes, we prefer to call them packages, but they are one in the same. Our packages can include stairs, windows, doors, railings and supervision. We can also provide the framing lumber & roofing materials.

Q: What comes with your Packages?

A: All the wall logs, log floor joist, T&G decking, log rafters or perlins depending on your design and all the doors, windows and log railings.

Q: Do you do the plans?

A: Yes, we can provide a complete set of high quality construction blueprints that will be required for submittal to your local building department.

Q: Do I have to use a plan from your “Plan Book” ?

A: No, the book is a guide for you to take the best features of your favorite homes and combine them into your own custom personalized floor plan and exterior look. Almost all of our homes are customized using our standard floor plans as a starting point. By utilizing our incredible design team clients can adjust, make changes and design concepts to suit their own needs. You can also submit your own plans or plans from another company for us to build your very own Pioneer or Rocky Mountain log home. We pride ourselves in constructing only quality custom log homes, with details that are our signature and delivering this personalized structure to the homeowner.

Q: What should I expect to pay for my log package?

A: It is very difficult to quote price as there are so many variables which affect the cost of a handcrafted log home package. Some of these variables are: log species, size of logs, the detail of the plan, the number of corners, the intricacy of the floor and roof system as well as any special feature or individual touches you might want to incorporate into your log home. If you have an idea of the size or a rough plan of what you want, we can provide you with an approximate price. Call us for specifics.

Q: Is freight included in the price of the log shell package?

A: The freight is usually a small portion of the overall expense of your log home. The homeowner is responsible for the cost of the freight to the building site. Depending on floor plan and roof system , a 2500 sf home should be 2-3 trucks. Most recent freight bill from Rocky Mountain Log Homes from Hamilton MT was approx. $2800 per truck for freight. Freight approx. $5000 per truck from Canada.

Q: How long will it take to build my log home?

A: Clients should allow a minimum of 4-6 months for plan design, budgeting, site plan and financing commitment prior to permitting. You can never start too soon!
There are basically three time phases in getting your log home to you. The first phase is the planning and design phase which varies, depending on the uniqueness of the project. With plans, engineering, permits and site plans this could be 3 months to 1 year depending on the requirements in your area, access to the site, permitting and approvals.

The Erection of the Logs phase:

A 2,500 RMLH milled home can take as little as 4-6 weeks to craft in Montana, and 5-7 weeks to construct on your lot. The logs arrive on pallets numbered and in the correct order to set on site. Your foundation and other site prep should be started before the arrival of your logs.

On average a 2,500 square foot Pioneer Hand Crafted home will take approximately 12 to 14 weeks to handcraft at their yard, and the final stage which is the fun stage for you, is when we erect the logs on your foundation, which takes 2 to 3 days. (For a handcrafted home you will be working on your foundation, site prep and subfloor while Pioneer is crafting your logs. This allows the logs to be erected immediately when they arrive by truck.) A crane will be required to unload and “stack” the logs the same day they arrive at your site.

The Finish Stage:

Once your log walls and roof system are in place it can take from 6-10 months depending on size of home to frame the roof and interior walls, plumbing and electric, install windows and complete all finishes.

On average, a 2,500 square foot home will take Mountain Log Homes of Colorado 12-14 months to complete from excavation to certificate of occupancy.

Q: What is Turn-key?

A: This term refers to a General Contractor doing the complete job, from planning, permitting and construction and then you only turn the key.

Q: Does my home have to be Chinked?

A: No, your home can be chinkless. We offer a patented gasket system or if you like that chinked look, we can do that too.

Q: Do you allow for settling and shrinking?

A: Most definitely! To ensure the least amount of shrinkage all our logs are low moisture content dead standing timber. We have specialized methods of construction to allow for shrinkage over the doors, windows and with all the support posts in your home. We go over all of these procedures and methods with you during the planning and design phase.

Q: Where do you build ?

A: We build throughout Colorado specifically in Summit, Eagle, Lake, Grand and Chaffee Counties. If you are still looking for property, we can refer you to several realtors that can help you find that perfect piece of land. We will visit your site; suggest the homes’ orientation for views, driveway, and utilities. Remember the building site development cost maybe higher than the cost of your real estate if there are access, soil, utilities or steep grade issues.

Q: What style of logs do you recommend?

A: We recommend Swedish Cope because of structural integrity, proven longevity, traditional styling, air-tight fit along their lateral scribe and interlocking saddle notch corners. However, we build any style log structure based on client log profile preference. Example: Dove Tail, D-Logs, Hand Crafted. Whichever Log style you choose, along with proper roof overhangs and foundation, your home will last for generations. Some log homes in Europe have been engineered and rated by German Engineers to last up to 300 years!

Q: Where can I find more information about Log Home Construction?
For unbiased information from the National Association of Home Builder’s Log Homes Council “log on” to:
http://loghomes.org/buyers-guide-6