|
Choosing
the log home producer is only the beginning in planning for your new log
home. Who is going to build it? How much will it cost? And, where can I get
mortgage and construction financing? These are just some of the questions
that you will need to answer in the process of making your log home a
reality.
Jim Barna
recommend that you work with professional land agents, builders, architects
and planning consultants to make your dream a reality. We keep a list of
people in the UK with relevant experience in Log Homes.
The
following information is provided in outline form to quickly give you ideas
to use in the planning of your home. We know that not all questions or steps
are addressed here, but this will get you started.
Six
Major Considerations in Getting a Log Home Built
Land
- finding the piece you want.
Design - deciding what you need and what it
will look like. Planning Permission - putting your best case
forward
Financing - finding both mortgage and construction money
Construction - be your own general contractor or hire.
The Budget - be realistic with your expectations.
The Budget
Close your eyes and picture the home that you want to build. Keep focusing
until you get a clear picture of your home. Look at it in as much detail
as you can imagine. Good. Now, open your eyes....get out your chequebook....time
for a
REALITY CHECK !
Whilst
building with logs can cost less than other building methods, in our
experience when you consider the entire project costs you can expect to
pay the same as most other home building projects around £600 - £1000 per
square meter of living space.
Nobody's dream is to be in heavy debt for the rest of their life. To
really be what you want it to be, your home must be affordable,
comfortable to maintain. The budget - how much money you are able or
willing to spend on the project - will be the most limiting factor and
will have a bearing on the following considerations.
Land
Finding the
right plot for your home is a major step in moving your project forward.
Building plots are rare and will normally sell to developers, however
using a professional land agent can help as they have access to
information before general publication.
We have a
put together a list of Land Agents who can help, we also keep our own
lists and will do what we can to make it as simple as possible.
Use a professional surveyor so that hidden problems can be uncovered
early.
When
buying land with planning permission take a note of the size, shape and
detail of the proposed dwelling and see if it matches your needs.
Design
When you closed your eyes and pictured you home, did you see it from the
outside or inside. Most see the outside. But we live inside. Therefore,
your home should be designed, first of all, to function the way we want -
to get the proper flow and to work to meet the needs of your family and
lifestyle. That means designing from the inside out. Don't worry about the
outside, we can make it look like your vision, and we guarantee the
neighbours will be impressed!
To begin, make a prioritized list of the following:
Actual needs: Number of bedrooms, baths, floors, etc.
Priorities: Master suite, big kitchen, dining room, family room,
porches, etc.
Foundation: Slab, crawl space, basement, walk-out (adjust to
site)
Placement of rooms: Children's bedrooms in relation to master,
utilities
Amenities: garage, spa, mud room, etc.
Assign room sizes and space requirements for each room. Make sure plan
fits lot or that lot fits plan.
Compare list to budget. Ouch! Start separating "Must have's" from
"Nice-to-have's"
Refine until all needed elements are included in an acceptable affordable
plan.
We
recommend working with an Architect to finalise your plans, they also have
a lot of experience in what will work and what doesn't and will have good
ideas of how to face problem areas.
Planning Permission
Planning officers have the role of ensuring buildings meet the objectives
of the local council and fit in with the local landscape and meet building
regulations, successfully gaining planning permission is a mixture of good
presentation and a good attitude.
At
present log homes are not common in the UK and this presents both
challenges and opportunities. The key is flexibility.
Ensure
you get a copy of your local plan from the council prior to making an
application, this is the rulebook that they use to assess your application
so you can look for areas that will enhance your presentation.
First
impressions count and presenting the case correctly is important.
There are planning consultants who can help you present your case and they
are normally Ex planners themselves - We carry a list of people who can
help.
Financing
Most
banks and mortgage lenders have little experience in log home financing.
As a result, there are some very popular myths that exist within the
lending market. Some feel that log homes are appreciably different from
conventional construction so that the general financing guidelines exclude
them. This is not the case.
We have
put together a number of lenders who will be able to consider financing
your dream log home and for more information
click here.
Construction
Decide who will build your home:
It
is unlikely you will be building your home yourself, however you could
consider being your own General Contractor.
A
General Contractor handles the project and the budget and employs the
various trades needed to complete the project. (Builders, Plumbers,
Electricians etc.)
The alternative is to hire
a General Contractor or a builder which this experience.
Limiting Factors in deciding who will build:
-
Time
-
Knowledge and skills
-
Money
-
Lenders standards
If you decide to
be your own General Contractor:
-
Describe exactly what
you want in minute detail
-
Count the cost to build
a.
Time it will take to build
b. Cost of materials
c. Cost of tools, interest on loan, etc.
-
Plan the sequence of
events - the 'Flow Chart'
-
Get three bids for each item or service to be purchased
Be
specific in your requests
-
Allow a safety net in
time and money - overruns can reach 20%!
-
Carry Builders Risk
and Workers Compensation insurance!!!
-
Attend the Jim Barna
Log Home Institute for specific training.
If you decide to act as your own General Contractor:
If you decide to hire a General Contractor to build your home:
-
Choose one that you can trust to build it your way.
a.
Make sure that you understand each other explicitly.
b. Get references and check them out thoroughly.
-
Be very specific on
ever detail of the project in written agreement.
-
Make sure that Contractor is financially able to commit to your project.
a.
Check bank references
b. Is Contractor bonded?
-
Get Certificate of
Workers Compensation Insurance.
-
Bring Contractor with
you to the Jim Barna Institute.
-
Let him do his job.
a.
Don't interfere with work in progress unless a problem arises.
b. Always address problems with the Contractor, never a worker.
-
Keep the lines of
communication open at all times, and be patient.
Remember
our team is always on hand to help you consider how best to go about
building your log home.
|
