Log Cabin Information on Settling and Red Cedar

Question: What is your product offering?
Answer: We build and sell Handcrafted Log Cabin Shells made from real full length, full sized logs. Our logs are hand peeled and hand scribed and fitted to ensure a tight seal. We DO NOT sell milled, profiled, or machine cut log cabins or log cabin packages or log home kits. We are real craftsmen building real log cabins that are as unique as the person who is buying it. As log crafters we are able to do things with logs that you could not even attempt with milled logs. We are able to add character wood, flared butts and unique details that require real knowledge of logs as a construction material. You will find that our prices for a handcrafted "Real" log cabin built on our yard then shipped and re-assembled on your site are nearly the same as a machined or "kit" home once you factor in the costs of paying a contractor to stack your logs and cut notches after your purchase the machined or milled log "kit". Milled logs are uniform in appearance and most don't even resemble logs at all, unless you consider a square piece of lumber a log. Still don't see the difference? Look at the pictures below.

Real Handcrafted Builders Using Real Logs - Unique Appearance

Milled, profiled and machine cut logs -Not Unique

Question: How much does a log shell cost?
Answer: You can expect to pay thirty-five to fifty dollars US or more per square foot of finished floor space not including the basement. This range of price is reflective of the details involved, the species of log desired, and the overall size. We would be pleased to provide you with a free estimate on your design and for the log shell package that you will desire.

Question: Is Shipping Included?
Answer: Shipping is a necessary evil whether you live 5 miles or 5000 miles from the construction yard. In order for us to maintain consistent pricing, and to insure that you receive a fair shipping price based on current shipping rates to your area, we do not include the price of shipping in our log shell package price. We do however have estimated trucking costs within the continental US here and we will gladly get you an more accurate quote once you have provided us with your Site address.

Question: What areas do you serve?
Answer: Once disassembled and loaded onto a flat-deck or into a shipping container, a log cabin shell can be shipped to nearly any point on earth. We are able to ship World-Wide and can easily ship log cabins to any State in the USA duty and tax free.

Question: What about shrinkage?
Answer: All of our homes are built to allow for natural shrinkage above doors, windows, and at all floor to ceiling posts. We have never had a shrinkage problem or complaint from a customer because our homes are built properly the first time.

Question: Which species of log is best?
Answer: Western red cedar is in our opinion the best building material available. This wood naturally has low moisture content, does not twist when it shrinks and has the warmest ambiance of all the species. It is also very durable and has an excellent "Value". Douglas fir is also an excellent choice but its disadvantages include a higher natural moisture content and susceptibility to twisting when drying. Other species, such as, as Spruce and Hemlock are available for value conscious customer who wants the look of logs but is on a budget. Click here for more information on wood species

Question: Do you offer "Turn-key" log cabin packages?
Answer: Building log cabin shells is what we do best; therefore we leave the other tasks involved in finishing a log cabin to the Tradesmen who do them best. We have found that it is considerably less expensive for you to hire a local contractor familiar with you local building market than it would be for you to hire us to finish the log home to "Turn-key".

Question: Can I design my log cabin the way I want it?
Answer: Of course you can!! We now offer a state-of-art new service called Collaborative Real-Time Log Cabin Design © where you meet with our senior log builder and our designer and you develop the plans in real-time right before your eyes on an 80" screen. The house is designed with your direct input right down to the placement of the furniture in only 6-8 hours thus saving you time and frustration because the house is designed to your specifications the first time. No other builders currently offer this service . It is truly amazing.

Question: What if I have my own plans?
Answer: We will gladly work from your plans provided that they are fully drawn and have been approved by an engineer and by the building department where your site resides. We can take also take your existing drawings and prepare complete construction drawings that will be adequate for engineering and building permit approval. We charge on an individaul basis for redraws and plan completion.

Question: Is your work guaranteed?
Answer: Yes our work is fully guaranteed in writing for materials and workmanship as specified in our Log Shell Construction Agreement.

Question: How long will it take to build my log cabin?
Answer: Typically a log cabin in the 2000 square feet range will take 6-8 weeks to build plus 2-5 days to reassemble it on your site.

Question: What is included with my log cabin package?
Answer: That all depends on what level of involvement you want. We can provide lumber packages with your log cabin shell including framing and finishing lumber. Generally though, packages include the log shell structure, log roof system, log stairs and log railing materials. All wood is hand peeled and all interior walls are spot sanded to give a smooth to the touch finish. Click Here for Log Cabin Package Details

Question: How do I know if a builder is reputable?
Answer: One of the first questions to ask a prospective builder is where they get their wood. Good house logs are expensive and some builders will use inferior quality logs to try and increase profits. Make sure the wood has a high growth ring density. This indicates lower moisture content and a much more rot resistant log. Look at the contract- a reputable builder will have a solid contract that clearly outlines the responsibilities of the parties.

Question: How many houses do you build in a year?
Answer: Do you really want to give your hard earned money to a company that "pumps" out a large number of houses a year or to a company that builds a limited number of houses a year so as to assure the highest quality available? Remember, "Bigger is not always better", and "You get what you paid for." Having said that we usually build 5-8 homes a year which keeps us busy year round but lets us give each home the attention to detail that it deserves.

Question: What about bug killed or dead standing logs?
Answer: We generally build with green wood and air dry it. Bug killed and dead standing logs are susceptible to sap stain, an ugly blue-black fungus that penetrates the wood up to 6 inches and is impossible to remove. We only buy logs from foresters who are dedicated to sustainable harvest practices and who re-plant. We can at the customer's request use bug-killed or dead standing logs.

Question: I am an American, why should I buy from you?
Answer: There are two main reasons for buying Canadian. (1) Wood. We have access to the best house building logs in North America. American forests are mostly privately owned and those companies tend to horde the wood for their own needs. BC forests are mostly government owned which allows for easier access to the timber harvest for small businesses. (2) Price. Because we have better access to quality timber and skilled labour we can offer lower prices than our American counterparts. That coupled with a US dollar that is worth 25% more than the Canadian dollar means that you will get a better quality log cabin shell at a lower price than if you bought locally.

Question: Do you sell through dealers?
Answer: Yes we do. We feel that to best serve you the customer we need to have a local contact for you to communicate with. Your local dealer will have experience in log cabin construction and will be able to answer your questions. When the time comes for you to purchase your log cabin formLog Cabins Canada, your local dealer will work with us to ensure that you get exactly what you want- Your Dream Log Cabin!

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