| For home builders who crave a comfortable and cozy | | | | 1. Dust collection: Dust collects on the rough interior |
| home that evokes the spirit of nature, nothing says | | | | planed surfaces of a log house over time and is |
| rustic American design quite like the icon of early | | | | difficult to remove. This can be a problem for those |
| housing. The log house floor plan fits the bill both in | | | | with house dust allergies. |
| structure and aesthetic appeal. The appealing feeling | | | | 2. Chemical Sensitivities: Allergic individuals should |
| of warmth most people marvel at is quite unlike any | | | | double check that logs haven't been treated with |
| other type of home. | | | | chemicals, stains, sealers, or solvents. Most chemicals |
| A log house is quite literally a nest type home whose | | | | are added to prevent rot or deter pests. This can |
| peculiar beauty is a byproduct of its woodland charm. | | | | also pose a long term problem. |
| In spite of the durability of log homes that derive | | | | 3. Finally, it's hard to change the decor if you grow |
| their character and strength from tightly woven | | | | weary of it - you can change the floor covering, the |
| trees, the appeal of a log house floor plan is limited | | | | window dressings and wall art, but the basic flavor of |
| to less than one percent of all new homes built every | | | | the home will always stay the same. |
| year. | | | | How much does a home built from a log house floor |
| A log house is quite literally a nest type home whose | | | | plan cost? |
| unusual beauty is a byproduct of its woodland charm. | | | | The cost of a log house is comparable to other |
| In spite of the durability of log homes that derive | | | | home types but is dependent on several factors: |
| their character and strength from tightly woven | | | | 1. The average cost for a kit log house runs between |
| trees, the appeal of a log house floor plan is limited | | | | $85 to $125 per square foot. this is for the kit house |
| to less than one percent of all new homes built every | | | | only. The costs of land, septic, and water well are |
| year. Of those log houses built on a yearly basis, | | | | not included in the price per square foot. |
| approximately 90 percent are kit houses | | | | 2. A hand built log house can cost considerably more. |
| For those home builders determined to have a log | | | | The average price begins at about $100 per square |
| house of their very own, they should be aware of | | | | foot and can rise up to $350 per square foot or |
| the fact that they face certain challenges unique to | | | | more depending on the size and complexity of the |
| the log house. | | | | log house floor plan being built. |
| 1. Because most log homes are built from a kit, | | | | The do-it-yourself home builder can save big money |
| finding a lender can be difficult. | | | | on construction. If you want to construct your own |
| 2. Most lenders want to be assured that the home is | | | | log house, but haven't the necessary skills there are |
| appraised appropriately. Home appraisal of log houses | | | | several schools across the country that will teach you |
| isn't easy because of the lack of comparable log | | | | how to build your own log house from the ground up. |
| homes and this can lead to difficulties in obtaining a | | | | Tuition averages approximately $900 and does not |
| construction loan. | | | | include tools. |
| 3. Underwriting of mortgages is based on | | | | Although nothing says rustic American design quite |
| approximately 3 comparable sales and one must be a | | | | like the log house floor plan, without careful planning |
| log house. Underwriting criteria for do-it-yourself kit | | | | the cost could be quite painful. For those who love |
| houses such as the log house tends to be much | | | | the rough pioneer spirit, the log house floor plan is |
| more strict than for a traditionally constructed home. | | | | the perfect place to live out those American |
| Beyond the financial challenges of owning a log | | | | Western dreams. |
| house, there are further considerations. | | | | |