Time Line

Here is a time line of events that we have experienced.  We hope this will help you with realistic expectations of the log home process

If you do not have an immediate contact, plan spending 3 - 6 months (maybe longer) just for research on finding qualified builders to contact. This does not include the interviewing process.  We began our search in Oct. of 2005

Recommend arranging financing prior to beginning your builder search. This may take as much as a month.

You can expect 60 days for you to meet and interview with at least 3 prospective builders.   This will take some time to set up to meet the builder at your lot, review your basic plan idea, check out referrences (including current projects,  completed  projects,  list of satisfied clients,  BBB,  do an  internet search as well).  It will take about 3 weeks for the builder to create a budget estimate based on your plans.

Make sure to check with local buidling codes.  Example: Swain County now requires log home plans to be engineered.  Also, in some counties the wait for a septic can take 6 months to a year.  Again, do your homework.

After months of interviewing log suppliers and builders our decision was easy.  We choose Wahconah Log Homes and TimberCreek Builders out of Dillsboro, N.C..  They are sister companies working out of the same office.  Therefore we deal with one contact.  In our opinion their homes seem to be the best built we could find.  Their budget quote seemed to be realistic. It wasn't low balled like some estimates.  It was alot more detailed than the other bids as well.  We are delighted to have them handle our project.

 

One of the more fun aspects will be designing your dream.  This will usually start with a rough drawing. The builder will then take your ideas and come up with your initial plans.  You'll probable have 2 - 3 design change opportunities before you finalize your plans.  This may take 6 - 8 weeks.