What sets Olde Homestead Log Homes apart from all the rest of the log home companies?
Several items make us head and shoulders above the rest:
(1) I've got over 25 years knowledge of log homes. I've lived in a log home for 15 years. I know what goes into a home and how to get it built--in a nutshell, I'm referring to experience and knowledgeable, caring service, before, during and after the sale.
(2) The best quality package on the market today.
(3) A log home materials provider who has been in the business for over 29 years--not one of the 'here today-gone tomorrow' companies.
Can anyone build an Honest Abe Log Home?
Just about anyone can build an Honest Abe Log Home. We've had homeowners, friends, conventional builders, and general contractors build our homes successfully. Our logs are pre-cut, mortised, and numbered according to the plans we prepare specifically for your home. Our Construction Manual and our construction seminar will assist with many of your questions. And if you would like us to help you get the 'shell" of your home weathered in, we can even do that.
How is the maintenance on a log home?
The total cost to maintain a log home is about the same as a conventional home, but the tasks are different. The conventional home will require exterior cleaning yearly and repainting the interior every couple years. The log home will require washing down yearly and restaining every 4-5 years. The interior once stained and sealed, should never require any refinishing.
Is it difficult to get financing for a log home?
If you could qualify for a loan for a conventiona home then you can get financing for an Honest Abe Log Home. When local banks understand the quality and value that goes into an Honest Abe package, most have no difficulty financing it. We work with national log home financing firms like American Log Mortgage and they could also provide competitive financing.
What about fire insurance for a log home? All that wood looks pretty burnable!
Actually, logs are harder to burn than a conventional framed home! Insurance companies rate homes based on risk. Logs themselves add no risk to the equation. However, if you decide to build your log home in an inaccessible are that lacks fire hydrants and has nothing more than a volunteer fire department located many miles away, you may discover that the insurance company will assess the risk as high and charge premiums accordingly. In the same situation, the risk for a conventional home would also be high!
I have a sketch of how I want my log home, can Honest Abe create a package for me?
Of course, we can draw blueprints based on your drawings and ideas. From those custom drawings we can develop the materials list and provide the package for your custom home. Also if you like the exterior of one of our standard homes, we can adapt the dimensions or interior layout to meet your needs.
With all that wood, what about termites?
We will provide you with an environmentally safe borate treatment for your logs. In fact, this treatment will make your logs less susceptible to wood digesting insects than a conventional home!
What is the average cost of a completely built Honest Abe Log Home?
It is difficult to speak of averages for log homes because of the tremendous differences among the models and site locations. That being said, in the Virginia area, a quality built, turnkey Honest Abe Log Home ran between $125 and $160 or more per square foot last year. You could expect that our Big Sky homes may cost as much as $200 or more per square foot to complete. Your actual cost will vary depending upon where the house is built, site conditions, how much sweat equity you plan to invest, and your personal tastes and preferences. Once we have plans, then you or your builder can get all the prices together and develop an accurate estimate for your home.
