Do It Yourself Cabin Plans
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Log cabin house plans are plans used to build a rustic cabin made from wooden logs or log-like materials. Log cabin house plans can be a four-corner cabin much like the shelters of centuries past or the log cabin floor plans can be used for building a more complicated modern structure.
Log cabin floor plans provide the drawings and details that should result in a well-built and functional log cabin home. Log cabins can be designed and built in various sizes, shapes and intended uses. Whether used as a small vacation cabin or a permanent residence, they can be comfortable rustic structures that blend harmoniously with the woods, mountains, near a stream or lake or anywhere that peace and tranquility are desired and available.
Here are tips to keep in mind when creating your log cabin house plans:
What Are Your Needs and Wants - your needs can be considered as items that you must have to function every day. Wants are items that would not be required every day but would be nice to have if the budget permits. When you add in the extra costs of the various wants to your log cabin floor plans, you may realize that having less provides you more enjoyment for your home.
Consider the Advantages of a Four-Corner Cabin - a cabin with four corners and a simple roof system will cost the least to build from your log cabin house plans. Every corner that you add beyond four corners will cost more.
Use a Pier System Foundation - if local building codes permit pier foundations, this foundation type will cost less than a more expensive crawl space, slab or stone foundation. The finish of the foundation is not a major visual element once the log cabin house plans have been built and landscaping has been completed.
Be Careful Choosing the Cheapest Bid - the cheapest bid price may not be the best option. When you are evaluating bids, deciding based only on the least expensive bid may mean a surprise later. If you are going to have a builder build your log cabin house plans for you, be sure they have experience in the kind of work they will be doing for you. You will want your attorney to review the log cabin floor plans contract to be sure it is fair to both you and the contractor.
Consider Using Stock Plans - log cabin house plans created from the beginning will cost quite a bit more than stock plans. See if you can find stock plans that you like. If you want to make modifications to stock plans, it is more cost-effective to change existing log cabin floor plans than to create plans from the beginning. And be aware of the materials used in your cabin construction. Selecting in-stock building materials like window and door sizes, trims, fireplaces and cabinets in the kitchen and baths will save considerably over the costs of custom sizes.
If you can, visit local log home and log cabin builder shows. Talk with log builders, see their floor plan designs, talk with other persons interested in building log cabins and learn more about the building process. Use the internet to purchase log cabin house plans books and magazines and to search for existing plans using the criteria needed for your log cabin. As you search online for plans, keep a notebook of your ideas when you see features in plans that you would like to have in your log cabin home.
The planning stage can be a lot of fun and educational as well. Whether you are just beginning to organize your ideas or are well along with your log cabin house plans design, learn as much as you can about creating your own log cabin floor plans design that will provide you, your family and your friends enjoyment for many years to come.
You've chosen your log cabin layout, now it's time to decide who's going to execute the plan. As a general rule, you need to research whichever participants you choose. They all should be local. Most manufacturers have franchisees or independent representatives that service your building location. Be confident that they will stand behind their work. Talk to customers and determine level of reputation, customer service and quality of performance.
Check out out their non customer references. For manufacturers, look at the Log Homes Council (www.loghomes.org.) For contractors, check with the Better Business Bureau and state contractor license board for an independent review and complaint history. Check credit standing with Dunn & Bradstreet or other source.
If possible, visit cabins these companies have supplied/built. Check for the quality of construction and logs. Older homes will tell more about the longevity of the logs/construction.
Choose your participation level - Your level of involvement can range from general contractor down to interested observer. My contribution will be clearing trees, log staining, inside painting and staining and landscaping. Appreciate your capabilities and time availability. I bought a new condo once and a neighbor in the building cut a deal with the builder to do the interior wall installation himself. He bought the wrong wallboard and ultimately failed to finish the job. Fortunately for him, the builder bailed him out. Again, know your limits.
Choose your manufacturer - You've done your homework and decided on your acceptable log species, drying method, shape, joining system, corner style and cabin layout. You need to select your manufacturer based on these specs, the company's architectural capability to produce plans and blueprints (and logs) based on your desired layout as well as other factors described below.
Some of them provide only the log kits. You or a contractor/builder you hire will be responsible for the construction and providing all building components other than the logs. Other log cabin companies will offer a turn key package and offer to construct the finished package. As mentioned above, you can negotiate your participation.
Choose your contractor/builder - If you don't contract with the manufacturer for construction, you will need to hire a contractor/builder to construct the log cabin.
If you act as general contractor, you must hire subcontractors.
Get written contracts - Make sure everything is on paper and signed by proper authority.
Don't assume anything. If it's not in the contract, it's your problem.
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