Gastineau has been around since 1977 offering advice to home buyers to help them make smart decisions on what will likely be one of the largest investments of their lives. We have found there are a lot of ways to help you achieve your goal of building your dream log home. Some people need help in the design of their new home or in how to site it on their property. Others need a referral to a trustworthy builder. Some individuals are looking for advice on obtaining financing for their new home.
1. Define your lifestyle.
Consider lifestyle factors and requirements before you sketch out your design plan. Families with young children will have different needs than a couple looking to build their retirement home. A second home or a vacation home will entail other priorities.
2. Find your land.
If you have never bought raw land to build a home you need to take into account the difficulty of actually building on the land. Do you want a location that is hundreds of miles from your current home, or closer? Material and labor costs vary depending on what part of the country you choose to live.
3. Sketch out a design plan.
As a starting point you will need to consider the square footage you will need to meet your family needs, whether to build a one or two-story home, and what rooms or space you want on the main level.
4. Determine your budget.
Provide as much detail as possible in your design plan to determine how much you are willing to spend on your home, not counting land and site improvements. You need to select all components and amenities including decks, garages, sunroom, interior trim, appliances and fixtures, and swimming pool to have an accurate budget estimate.
5. Finalize your design plans.
We can help you find a standard plan or modify them or start from scratch to design a custom home that is right for you. Our CAD program will give you an interior view of your home from different locations to help you complete your design phase. We can also advise you about whether you should hire an architect.
6. Find a Builder.
Do you want to be your own general contractor and just need a contractor to build the shell of your home? Or do you want a “turn key” job, meaning the builder does all the work to build your new home? Gastineau Log Homes has a Builder List of contractors that have satisfactorily built our homes in the past.
7. Build your dream home!
Most of our clients have never build a home. NO questions are wrong, so please give us a call or contact us to get the process started! We have contacts, worksheets available to use, and many years of experience to guide you as you work to build your dream home. Contact us today and let’s explore your log home building plans together.
