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Published 241 days ago on 9/11/07 at 12:48 PMSo what should I do before my logs arrive?
1. When it comes to building materials other than my log package, is it better for my log home builder to order the building materials months in advance or wait till my logs arrive?
Builders typically have several suppliers with whom they work regularly. They have a good idea of the lead times required to get materials to your home site, and they will take this into consideration when scheduling deliveries. Let your builder decide when to order supplies and materials. Storage space is usually at a premium so most builders can not afford to stockpile materials that will sit around collecting dust (or getting wet) for several months. In addition, your builder will be invoiced for any materials as soon as they are delivered. If the builder can not pass that invoice on to you immediately, then the builder is really holding on to materials and giving you an interest free loan (most builders don't enjoy this).
2. What types of permits do I need to get, and do I apply for them or does the builder do it?
You will need everything from building to mechanical (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) permits. Most builders will obtain the permits, sometimes in the builder's name and sometimes in your name. The builder knows the work schedule for your project and how to deal with city or county inspectors. It just makes sense to leave the permit process to your builder, if possible, since the builder is responsible for delivering your log home that meets applicable building codes.
Builders typically have several suppliers with whom they work regularly. They have a good idea of the lead times required to get materials to your home site, and they will take this into consideration when scheduling deliveries. Let your builder decide when to order supplies and materials. Storage space is usually at a premium so most builders can not afford to stockpile materials that will sit around collecting dust (or getting wet) for several months. In addition, your builder will be invoiced for any materials as soon as they are delivered. If the builder can not pass that invoice on to you immediately, then the builder is really holding on to materials and giving you an interest free loan (most builders don't enjoy this).
2. What types of permits do I need to get, and do I apply for them or does the builder do it?
You will need everything from building to mechanical (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) permits. Most builders will obtain the permits, sometimes in the builder's name and sometimes in your name. The builder knows the work schedule for your project and how to deal with city or county inspectors. It just makes sense to leave the permit process to your builder, if possible, since the builder is responsible for delivering your log home that meets applicable building codes.
3. What other paperwork often gets overlooked before construction begins, and how do I get a head start on completing it?
Look at your builder contract and see who must furnish a site plan by a surveyor. You might want to take charge of this process because most of the site plans take place before a builder starts construction. You should contact a surveyor; check with your builder or log home finance company for suggestions if needed. Ask your surveyor for a package that includes locating and marking boundaries and road locations, site plan, staking house, septic and well areas, foundation-wall check, and final-location survey. Local city or county permit authorities and log home financing companies require all or most of these steps. If you obtain a package price from one surveyor, then you may save lots of time and money.
4. My builder assures me that he has the best subcontractors in the state, but I want to make sure they are first-rate. What steps can I take to make myself sleep easier at night?
As you know, your builder/general contractor (GC) is responsible for meeting the terms of your builder contract. His subcontractors, or “subs,” answer to him (not you). In most cases, the builder’s contract with you is based upon the use of subs that he is familiar with and has used on past log home projects. If you try to intervene into this relationship between the GC and his subs, you may cause your relationship with your builder to end. This does not mean that you have to overlook poor work by a sub. But it is best to let the GC handle sub management and scheduling. If you become unhappy with shoddy work, use your checkbook as leverage. Simply tell your GC that you are not satisfied and can not release payment until changes are made. Then the GC can either replace the offending sub or he makes adjustments himself before you pay him again. The best time to check out a sub is when you are reviewing our builder’s references. Ask past clients about the subs used and if you hear about a particularly bad one, then talk to your builder about preventing the use of the sub on your project. Remember that a builder may not know all of the subs that may be used until your project is ready to start as the use of subs generally depends upon the sub’s availability.
5. In the two months leading up to the delivery of my log home package, what needs to happen at my home site besides excavation and foundation work?
It is a good idea to start out with an all-weather road to your building site regardless if you live in a four-season climate. This usually means clearing trees, grading and laying a bed of gravel to handle large trucks that will deliver construction materials. The road should be able to withstand heavy rain and snow. With the road set, you and your builder can clear your building site. You will need to get rid of stumps and debris, and make the site as clean as possible so there is plenty of room to store building materials. You should stack firewood out of the way, and make sure that the well and septic locations are marked so they don’t become parking or storage locations. This is also a good time to bring in electricity and telephone service. The sooner they are available on your job site, the better. Your builder may ask you to set up a temporary electric pole to hold the service panel until your log home is under roof. This is a legitimate request as the work will proceed much faster if electrical power is available.
6. Are there any tools that a homeowner can use to keep organized in the months leading up to construction?
One of the advantages of using a GC is that he endures the headaches of scheduling and managing your project. Still you want to be sure that you have an idea of how your project will proceed. There will be some things that you need to do at specific stages of construction, such as choosing lighting and plumbing fixtures, paint and stain colors, cabinets and hardware. Many builders provide you with an overall outline of what will be expected of you and when. Others simply call you when it is time to make a decision. At this point in the process (if you haven’t already done so), it is probably a good idea to begin a journal to record daily activities and remind you when deadlines are approaching. A digital camera also is a great way to record progress and construction details that will be hidden when the work is complete. Photographing pipes (before trenches are filled) and walls (before wall coverings are installed) will give you a permanent record should you ever need to make repairs or remodel. When your log home is complete, then your journal and pictures will become a permanent record of your adventure.