FAQs
Below you will find some of the most commonly-asked questions from High Country Log Homes’ customers and our responses to them. If you can’t find the answer to your question, simply contact us.
- What kind of technical assistance can I expect from Kuhns Bros. Log Homes/Country Log Cabins and High Country Log Homes?
- What is the average cost per square foot to build a log home? And is it more expensive than a stick built home?
- Is homeowner’s insurance – fire protection – more expensive for a log home?
- What deposits are required and how does the payment process work?
- There are a lot of log home companies and all of them tell me about their quality. Why should I buy from you?
- Will I have any problem building one of your log homes myself?
- Why Kiln-Dried logs?
What kind of technical assistance can I expect from Kuhns Bros. Log Homes/Country Log Cabins and High Country Log Homes?
We have extensive knowledge of designs and features for your log home. We will work with you and your contractors in the construction of your log home. Construction seminars are taught each month, covering topics like purchasing land, home plans and design, foundation, floor trusses, attaching the sill plate and sub floor, starter logs, electrical, log rows, installation of windows and doors, second floor systems, and roof structure – whether it is Beam & Purlin w/gusset plates, 2x12 rafter system, Pre-Fab Trusses. Kuhns Bros. Log Homes offers a full two-day construction workshop free with the purchase of your log home.
What is the average cost per square foot to build a log home? And is it more expensive than a stick built home?
In most conventional stick-built homes, 2x framing is used with insulation, sheathing, house wrap and exterior covering (brick, wood, vinyl. In log home construction, solid logs are stacked horizontally with butylog and lag screws. The exterior logs need to be pre-drilled for electrical outlets. We tend to see items that would be considered upgrades in stick built homes being standard in a log home. These include hardwood flooring, custom cabinets, granite or siltstone counter tops, 6-panel solid core interior doors, and high performance low-E windows. Interior walls and ceilings are T & G and many have cathedral/vaulted ceilings in one or more rooms. Roof pitches are 10/12 or greater and they will have porches and or sun rooms. Log home construction prices in our area can range from $150 to $200 per square foot. This depends on the material upgrades and area the in which you build.
Is homeowner’s insurance – fire protection – more expensive for a log home?
We have not found our insurance costs or any of are clients higher than that of a conventional home. Log Homes have survived heavy storms, tornados, and even hurricanes with little or no damage.
What deposits are required and how does the payment process work?
The deposit for a quote and the Preliminary plans is $3,000. The Preliminary Plans will be processed within 20 business days.
“Fast Track” Custom Designs deposit for a quote and Preliminary Plans is $4,500. This option will provide the plans in 5 business days.
The Preliminary plans can be used to obtain necessary bids from contractors, sub-contractors, etc. A 20% deposit is required when you sign off on your Preliminary plans and go to construction blue prints. At this time, you would select your date for delivery of the log home package. Final payment is due when your log home package is delivered. In most areas, the building departments will require two copies of the construction blue prints and heat/loss calculations. A septic system approval will also be needed. This usually comes from the County Health Department.
There are a lot of log home companies and all of them tell me about their quality. Why should I buy from you?
As log homes have become more popular, more log companies have come into the business, suppling green logs, air-dried logs, and kiln-dried logs. Some companies offer just the log and timber materials, others offer weather tight packages, or include finish materials.
We at High Country Log Homes want to offer you the best in overall product, service and support.
Kuhns Bros. which started as a sawmill in 1946, expanded by adding a lumber company in 1962, and added a log home division in 1982. From their huge kilns to milling to drafting, material take off and shipping departments, Kuhns Bros. will supply you with the most complete material package in the industry.
Service and support is another important factor. We can be reached by telephone or e-mail anytime and answer any questions or provide assistance as needed. We are available during the planning and design and through the construction. If your contractor needs assistance during construction, they can call Kuhns Bros. 800 number and talk to one of the customer service individuals. They have your plans right in front of them and can assist with any on site questions. We also offer one-on-one appointments at our home/model for you to visit. We can discuss your plans. Kuhns Bros. corporate in Lewisburg, PA, offers a full two day construction workshop, free with the purchase of your Kuhns Bros. log home.
Will I have any problem building one of your log homes myself?
We know of a husband and wife that are building their own log home. They put up the first floor joist, sub floor and all the walls and dormers themselves and are working on the ceiling and roof. They are getting assistance with the roof and some of the larger windows. In addition to the construction workshop, Kuhns Bros. provides a very detailed construction manual and two construction DVD’s.
The process of kiln-drying controls the amount of moisture in the wood products used to build your home. The wood must be conditioned to the moisture content it will assume in the months and years after construction, otherwise it will tend to shrink and twist. A stick built homes use kiln-dried materials in its construction. Kuhns Bros. logs, beams and purlins are kiln-dried to an average moisture content of 19% graded by certified inspectors to meet or exceed Log Home Council standards and backed by a Lifetime Warranty.