Building a home is a very detailed process, and choosing a log home builder is a huge decision. Not only are you trusting the log home builder with your money, time, and property — you’re trusting them with your vision of creating the log home of your dreams. Every log home builder does things a little differently based on their experience and style. The decision shouldn’t be taken lightly, but it also shouldn’t cause more stress than is necessary! When you begin the process with the right mindset and preparations, the experience can be much more enjoyable.
So, how do you choose a log home builder when there are so many companies out there offering their services? The first step is to take into consideration a number of elements that will directly influence how the log home will be built.
In addition to providing guidance on selecting a log home builder, we have a list of some of the top builders in the country, as well as suggestions that can make your log home building project a greater success in the long run. Take a look!
How to Choose Log Home Builders
Perhaps the most influential decision you’ll make is the type of wood you want to use for your log home. Different varieties of wood, like oak, pine, cedar and others, offer unique benefits and challenges, and some types of wood are much more expensive than others. Deciding on the type of wood you want for your log home will naturally help narrow down the log home builders you can work with. Woodwork is a highly detailed skill, and log home builders tend to specialize in one or two wood types.
Once you’ve settled on the type of wood and gathered a list of log home builders who work with that type of wood, you’ll need to confirm that they can source the wood. Sourcing offers its own challenges, and a lot will depend on the region, the availability of wood, and the transportation costs involved in getting the timber to the property. Always confirm those details with the log home builder before signing a contract.
You’ll also want to discuss various ongoing expenses that will be required for the maintenance of the log home. The builder should be able to provide expertise and recommendations for pest control options and treatments for water damage — two things that are extremely common concerns for cabins built with real wood materials.
Some builders may be able to provide ideas for reinforcing the log home exterior, but it’s important that they’re transparent about the ongoing maintenance to be expected with a log home.
If a log home builder makes it sound like the cabin won’t need routine painting, staining, pest control, and caulking, then they are likely not being as transparent as they should. All log homes built with real timber will require some level of upkeep and repair to protect the wood. Find a builder who isn’t afraid to discuss the ongoing needs of real wood siding.
Top Log Home Builders in the U.S.
There are many great log home builders in the U.S. Whether you want a simple and straightforward single-level cabin made from pine or a multi-level cedar lodge with all the amenities, talented log home builders can help you bring your vision to life. Here are a few popular builders:
Jeremiah Johnson Log Homes
This group specializes in building rustic mountain homes, with an emphasis on lodgepole blue stain pine and western red cedar. In addition to the actual construction, this log home builder also provides log cabin kits, ready-made floor plans, and architectural consultations.
Estemerwalt Log Homes
Operating out of Pennsylvania, this builder has a full-service sawmill that preps timber for their log homes from start to finish. Eastern white pine is the primary wood type used by this log home builder.
Precision Craft Custom Log Homes & Timber Homes
This group has been the recipient of several design awards in recent years, and they can help customers craft the perfect floor plan and architectural style for their custom log home.
Heim Log Homes
If you’re looking for a cabin to use as a lake house getaway, Heim Log Homes is a builder to consider. Based in Kelliher, Minnesota, they specialize in the scribe-fit method. Their homes are chinkless, scarf or round notched, and they have double scribed lateral grooves, aspects they choose to create the best, most traditional style log home.
Katahdin Cedar Log Homes
This log home builder oversees the largest cedar mill in Maine, working exclusively with northern white cedar for their building projects.
Steel Offers a Great Alternative for Log Home Siding
Pinning down all the details and planning for the ongoing maintenance of your log home can be overwhelming, but there is an alternative that can make the process so much easier. Building with log-style steel can give cabin owners a huge advantage in terms of easy sourcing, fast installation, and enhanced durability that eliminates concerns over deterioration.
TruLog offers a wide range of beautiful, log-look steel products that can upgrade the style and performance of log cabins. Offering gorgeous wood grain patterns and authentic colors, like pine, cedar and walnut, TruLog siding makes it easy to get the precise color and style you crave for your log home. Cut out the stress and contact TruLog today to explore maintenance-free, log-style siding that has irresistible charm.
