If you dream of building a traditional log cabin but worry that it might be financially out of reach, what you need is a budget. The truth is that you can have a rustic-looking log cabin with all the modern conveniences at an affordable price.
If you aren’t a lumberjack and would prefer not to chop down and shape your own logs for this project, you’ll need to partner with a professional. Once you have a specific budget in mind, there are several ways that you can stay within your budget and make the most of your building funds.
1. Plan Ahead
If you have a goal of building a log home at some point in the future, the sooner you start planning, the better. Some clients plan as far as three years or more out since there are several factors involved in these projects. You will need to own some land as well as think about utilities. By planning ahead, you may be able to secure better deals on some materials or products.
2. Create a Budget
Create a detailed budget for your log home. When you do this, sit down with a professional so that you will understand what is included and not included a contractor’s services. You want to make sure that you have every possible expense in your budget so that you don’t become overextended.
3. Do Your Research
Before you decide to break ground, do a ton of research. Look at log home floorplans and discuss your timing with a professional. One of your biggest sources of research should be how to approach your project so that you are only spending money on the places that you will get the best bang for your buck.
4. Spend Money Where it Matters
When you are trying to determine which areas to allocate the most funds to in your log home, think about what is going to provide you with the highest return on your investment (ROI). For example, if you spend a fortune on a guest bedroom that is only used once or twice per year, this won’t provide a high ROI. On the other hand, if you invest more in a kitchen or common area (living room) that you spend time in every day, this will provide a higher ROI.
More specifically, break it down into simple math. Say you spend $20,000 on that guest bedroom but only use it 10 days each year. Over five years, you’ve allocated $200 per night of use to that one room. On the other hand, if you put that same investment into your living room that you use 150 days each year (for a part-time home), that’s just over $26 per day for your investment in that space over the same period.
5. Minimize Changes
Since you spent so much time planning, you will be able to minimize some of the costs associated with frequent changes. If you want or need to make a change, you certainly can, but know that this is going to eat into those budget dollars.
Most people have some sort of budget when planning and building a log home. Whatever your parameters, you can maximize those limited funds by taking a careful look at how much you will use each part of the home.
Gastineau Log Homes has been in business for over 40 years and is the world’s largest producer of oak log homes. Even if you think that your log home purchase is several years in the future, we’d be happy to speak with you about our services. Contact us now to request information about quality oak log homes.
