Luxury Log Home Plan Design

For all those who have planned, saved, and dreamed of owning their very own luxury log home there are some very wise steps to take in the planning stage.

Planning is a multi faceted part of turning ideas into the reality of a finished home. One faucet encompasses the exterior design of the home. What is important to an owner, and what is not, must be analyzed. The desired statement or aura is captured through design elements such as the huge trapezoid windows on the view side of the home, flared character posts incorporated into covered porches, and the color and style chosen for the roof. All of this weaves the tapestry of the exterior elevations.

Just as the exterior needs much attention, so does the interior. A luxury log home has certain rooms which are innate to them. Areas such as foyers, walk in pantries, and dining rooms designed to fit inside post and beam gazebo room are all things which are important to a home of this caliber. A floor plan needs to be arranged so that it naturally flows from one room to the next. Some homes which lack a strong sense of quality design tend to ramble and the luxury effect is somewhat lost.

Another area of planning is budgeting. A budget needs to be set from the beginning with room built-in for 'over allowances'. Some home builders recommend a 10% or more of the over all project be set aside for unforeseeable costs. It is no unusual for a basement to have boulders that must be removed, or driveways that are installed when it is wet instead of dry outside.

Builders are another area which can totally change the outcome of your luxury log home. For a log home the builders are actually in two categories. The first is the craftsman who fashion the cabin in the log home yard, disassemble it and ship it to the homeowners. The second builder is the one who erects the package on the job site and then finishes the home. It is very important for owners to not just choose the first person they interview. All companies offer different features, pricing, and level of expertise so a prudent buyer will talk to several before deciding.

This is also true when choosing a builder to take the home to turnkey completion. Some builders are very good to work with while others are less than desirable. If you can get a first hand recommendation from someone else who has used the contractor, that is sometimes the very best. Ask a builder to tour homes he has constructed. Look carefully at corners, end joints, and the overall appeal of the home. Even contractors who have been in business for a long time can give the owners bad surprises. Also be sure to ask the contractor if he will give a builder warranty on the home for at least 6 months. Log homes all shrink. It is just the nature of the logs themselves, so sometimes even the best build log home have to have the contractor return to shave down a door, adjust a screw jack, or other small items. Remember what is a small repair to a professional can seem like an immovable object to an owner.

So all in all when planning for a luxury log home be sure to consider the exterior and interior design and layout. Draw up a realistic budget that works with projected costs from the log home supplier, builder, and the bank. Be sure to include a safety net for over budget expenses. And be sure to do your homework and interview several builders and log manufacturers before making your choice. All of these factors work together to provide the homeowner with a completed home with much less stress.