Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Jan 5th 2011, 8:50 pm
#1
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Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Has anyone built themselves a log home. I have looked at True North Log Homes and have made some enquiries. From personal experience can anyone provide any info on this topic. From the point of buying a building plot, to clearing, and having a log home built, I am sure it is not all that easy to do. Could anyone provide an approximate cost of building a small 2 or 3 bed log home from start to finish? I am just looking for an example if possible. Thanks.
Jan 5th 2011, 8:52 pm
#2
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Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Cheltenham, UK was Vancouver, BC
Posts: 704
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Has anyone built themselves a log home. I have looked at True North Log Homes and have made some enquiries. From personal experience can anyone provide any info on this topic. From the point of buying a building plot, to clearing, and having a log home built, I am sure it is not all that easy to do. Could anyone provide an approximate cost of building a small 2 or 3 bed log home from start to finish? I am just looking for an example if possible. Thanks.
http://loghomelinks.com/articles/cost.htm
Jan 5th 2011, 9:04 pm
#3
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Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Jan 5th 2011, 9:14 pm
#4
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Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
http://www.novascotiaphotoalbum.com/
http://www.stockadestyleloghomes.ca/
http://www.heartwood-log-homes.com/aylesfordlake.htm
i was looking to do the same and found these people. goodluck
http://www.stockadestyleloghomes.ca/
http://www.heartwood-log-homes.com/aylesfordlake.htm
i was looking to do the same and found these people. goodluck
Jan 5th 2011, 9:43 pm
#5
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
http://www.novascotiaphotoalbum.com/
http://www.stockadestyleloghomes.ca/
http://www.heartwood-log-homes.com/aylesfordlake.htm
i was looking to do the same and found these people. goodluck
http://www.stockadestyleloghomes.ca/
http://www.heartwood-log-homes.com/aylesfordlake.htm
i was looking to do the same and found these people. goodluck
Jan 7th 2011, 7:34 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 202
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Have you lived in a log home for any length of time? I love the look of them, but having lived in one I think its something you might tire of after a while. you might not tho!
Unless you are constructing the interior in a more traditional manner - ie plasterboard walls etc, its possible that you could feel a bit 'stuck' with the same walls year in year out (not able to paint a different colour or just decorate other than curtains and accessories).
Just a thought - I do really like them, but until I'd stayed in one it wasn't something I'd ever thought of
Maybe you already know this though and its not something that would concern you
Unless you are constructing the interior in a more traditional manner - ie plasterboard walls etc, its possible that you could feel a bit 'stuck' with the same walls year in year out (not able to paint a different colour or just decorate other than curtains and accessories).
Just a thought - I do really like them, but until I'd stayed in one it wasn't something I'd ever thought of
Maybe you already know this though and its not something that would concern you
Jan 7th 2011, 8:18 pm
#7
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Location: Nova Scotia (from Scotland)
Posts: 1,032
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
on the whole, are log homes cheaper to build than normal ones? Is there an average difference, or does it vary? I'm wondering because one of those sites seemed to quote a pretty reasonable price, but I'm not really after a log home! (much as I like the look of them, as Mrs-G says, I think I would get tired of wood colour everywhere after a while...)
Jan 7th 2011, 8:44 pm
#8
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Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick CA
Posts: 8,309
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Wouldn't the fog rot them ?
Jan 7th 2011, 11:48 pm
#11
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Posts: 6,005
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
on the whole, are log homes cheaper to build than normal ones? Is there an average difference, or does it vary? I'm wondering because one of those sites seemed to quote a pretty reasonable price, but I'm not really after a log home! (much as I like the look of them, as Mrs-G says, I think I would get tired of wood colour everywhere after a while...)
I've spent a lot of time researching log, post and beam, and stick frame build costs, 5 years ago when I built my own home, and over the past month too as I'm contemplating it again.
Log homes have a few major disadvantages: their 'R' (insulation value) is between 8 and 15, whereas a stick frame build can be built to R40 upwards. Once logs have absorbed heat they're retain it fairly well, but heating costs are definitely higher. In some US states building codes now have minimum 'R' values for new homes which prevent log homes being viable.
Log homes go through a 5yr+ settling period, as the logs continue to dry after the build. The construction process takes this into account, so you need to be aware that adding foam insulation around windows/doors, tightening settling jacks etc (see here: http://www.aloghomestore.com/hardware.shtml) is a common process. If you drywall any of the interior this may also need to have remedial work carried out to it as the home settles over time. The better (generally more expensive, due to tighter tolerances) your log home builder, the less settling occurs, but nobody will guarantee against it.
Depending on the log size/profile, realize that they're essentially a dust ledge. If dust/dusting is an issue for you, a log home will probably become an annoyance. Insurance is comparatively expensive for log homes (highest fire risk), so that's something to think about too. Ongoing maintenance requires the exterior to be re-stained/polyurethaned every 5 years or so.
In terms of cost, I had a 3 bed, 2,500 sq/ft home estimated at $450,000 but it's all going to depend on your own taste for fixtures and fittings. I'd be very surprised if you could build a similar size for under $375,000. Add to that your price of land for a ball-park cost. Cost is also going to be heavily dependent on whether you're going to act as your own contractor, or pay a project manager. Reckon on a year's process from buying the land, going through planning permits, to excavation, house build, sign-off and moving in.
If the style of a log home takes your fancy, but you want to control (lower) costs and have a more contemporary look, this company might be worth investigating: http://timberblock.com/fr/en/models.php They quoted me a 5 day turnaround from site arrival (foundation ready) to lock-up, which reduces build costs considerably. A 3,250 sq/ft Denver model home I had plans for was quoted at $275,000 to achieve lock-up. Add land, foundation, services and interior fixtures/finishing to this.
Last edited by R I C H; Jan 7th 2011 at 11:55 pm.
Jan 8th 2011, 12:39 pm
#12
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 27
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
Have you lived in a log home for any length of time? I love the look of them, but having lived in one I think its something you might tire of after a while. you might not tho!
Unless you are constructing the interior in a more traditional manner - ie plasterboard walls etc, its possible that you could feel a bit 'stuck' with the same walls year in year out (not able to paint a different colour or just decorate other than curtains and accessories).
Just a thought - I do really like them, but until I'd stayed in one it wasn't something I'd ever thought of
Maybe you already know this though and its not something that would concern you
Unless you are constructing the interior in a more traditional manner - ie plasterboard walls etc, its possible that you could feel a bit 'stuck' with the same walls year in year out (not able to paint a different colour or just decorate other than curtains and accessories).
Just a thought - I do really like them, but until I'd stayed in one it wasn't something I'd ever thought of
Maybe you already know this though and its not something that would concern you
Jan 8th 2011, 4:08 pm
#13
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
If the style of a log home takes your fancy, but you want to control (lower) costs and have a more contemporary look, this company might be worth investigating: http://timberblock.com/fr/en/models.php They quoted me a 5 day turnaround from site arrival (foundation ready) to lock-up, which reduces build costs considerably. A 3,250 sq/ft Denver model home I had plans for was quoted at $275,000 to achieve lock-up. Add land, foundation, services and interior fixtures/finishing to this.
Jan 9th 2011, 1:09 am
#14
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Valemount, BC, Canada
Posts: 1,281
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
No, they're not cheaper to build - reckon on 20%+ more expensive than a standard build.
I've spent a lot of time researching log, post and beam, and stick frame build costs, 5 years ago when I built my own home, and over the past month too as I'm contemplating it again.
Log homes have a few major disadvantages: their 'R' (insulation value) is between 8 and 15, whereas a stick frame build can be built to R40 upwards. Once logs have absorbed heat they're retain it fairly well, but heating costs are definitely higher. In some US states building codes now have minimum 'R' values for new homes which prevent log homes being viable.
Wow - really?? Our log home (built in 1980) is sooo easy to get warm even when it's -30C or worse outside and it stays nice and cool in the summer, too.
Log homes go through a 5yr+ settling period, as the logs continue to dry after the build. The construction process takes this into account, so you need to be aware that adding foam insulation around windows/doors, tightening settling jacks etc (see here: http://www.aloghomestore.com/hardware.shtml) is a common process. If you drywall any of the interior this may also need to have remedial work carried out to it as the home settles over time. The better (generally more expensive, due to tighter tolerances) your log home builder, the less settling occurs, but nobody will guarantee against it.
Definitely agree with this. We have additional settling issues due to the fact that we're built on pure sand and we're not far from a railway line. We have photos of the water lines being laid 8' down and you can clearly see that it's still pure sand at that depth! So every now and again we feel the whole house shake as a train goes by. We've had one window actually crack from the movement, despite the house being built so long ago.
Depending on the log size/profile, realize that they're essentially a dust ledge. If dust/dusting is an issue for you, a log home will probably become an annoyance. This times 100000000000000000
Insurance is comparatively expensive for log homes (highest fire risk), so that's something to think about too.
According to our insurer they're actually not that much higher of a fire risk, but they do charge masses more for insurance on a hand crafted log home because the rebuild cost is much higher. I know R I C H quoted 20%, above, but that's a far lower percentage figure than I would have expected, knowing the rates charged by all the log home builders around here!
Ongoing maintenance requires the exterior to be re-stained/polyurethaned every 5 years or so.
True...and possibly even more frequently in a damper climate, as where we live is quite arid (although obviously less so than Kamloops!)
In terms of cost, I had a 3 bed, 2,500 sq/ft home estimated at $450,000 but it's all going to depend on your own taste for fixtures and fittings. I'd be very surprised if you could build a similar size for under $375,000. Add to that your price of land for a ball-park cost. Cost is also going to be heavily dependent on whether you're going to act as your own contractor, or pay a project manager. Reckon on a year's process from buying the land, going through planning permits, to excavation, house build, sign-off and moving in.
If the style of a log home takes your fancy, but you want to control (lower) costs and have a more contemporary look, this company might be worth investigating: http://timberblock.com/fr/en/models.php They quoted me a 5 day turnaround from site arrival (foundation ready) to lock-up, which reduces build costs considerably. A 3,250 sq/ft Denver model home I had plans for was quoted at $275,000 to achieve lock-up. Add land, foundation, services and interior fixtures/finishing to this.
I've spent a lot of time researching log, post and beam, and stick frame build costs, 5 years ago when I built my own home, and over the past month too as I'm contemplating it again.
Log homes have a few major disadvantages: their 'R' (insulation value) is between 8 and 15, whereas a stick frame build can be built to R40 upwards. Once logs have absorbed heat they're retain it fairly well, but heating costs are definitely higher. In some US states building codes now have minimum 'R' values for new homes which prevent log homes being viable.
Wow - really?? Our log home (built in 1980) is sooo easy to get warm even when it's -30C or worse outside and it stays nice and cool in the summer, too.
Log homes go through a 5yr+ settling period, as the logs continue to dry after the build. The construction process takes this into account, so you need to be aware that adding foam insulation around windows/doors, tightening settling jacks etc (see here: http://www.aloghomestore.com/hardware.shtml) is a common process. If you drywall any of the interior this may also need to have remedial work carried out to it as the home settles over time. The better (generally more expensive, due to tighter tolerances) your log home builder, the less settling occurs, but nobody will guarantee against it.
Definitely agree with this. We have additional settling issues due to the fact that we're built on pure sand and we're not far from a railway line. We have photos of the water lines being laid 8' down and you can clearly see that it's still pure sand at that depth! So every now and again we feel the whole house shake as a train goes by. We've had one window actually crack from the movement, despite the house being built so long ago.
Depending on the log size/profile, realize that they're essentially a dust ledge. If dust/dusting is an issue for you, a log home will probably become an annoyance. This times 100000000000000000
Insurance is comparatively expensive for log homes (highest fire risk), so that's something to think about too.
According to our insurer they're actually not that much higher of a fire risk, but they do charge masses more for insurance on a hand crafted log home because the rebuild cost is much higher. I know R I C H quoted 20%, above, but that's a far lower percentage figure than I would have expected, knowing the rates charged by all the log home builders around here!
Ongoing maintenance requires the exterior to be re-stained/polyurethaned every 5 years or so.
True...and possibly even more frequently in a damper climate, as where we live is quite arid (although obviously less so than Kamloops!)
In terms of cost, I had a 3 bed, 2,500 sq/ft home estimated at $450,000 but it's all going to depend on your own taste for fixtures and fittings. I'd be very surprised if you could build a similar size for under $375,000. Add to that your price of land for a ball-park cost. Cost is also going to be heavily dependent on whether you're going to act as your own contractor, or pay a project manager. Reckon on a year's process from buying the land, going through planning permits, to excavation, house build, sign-off and moving in.
If the style of a log home takes your fancy, but you want to control (lower) costs and have a more contemporary look, this company might be worth investigating: http://timberblock.com/fr/en/models.php They quoted me a 5 day turnaround from site arrival (foundation ready) to lock-up, which reduces build costs considerably. A 3,250 sq/ft Denver model home I had plans for was quoted at $275,000 to achieve lock-up. Add land, foundation, services and interior fixtures/finishing to this.
Jan 9th 2011, 1:21 am
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,284
Re: Building a log home in Nova Scotia
It's not log at all but if I was going to have a house built, and had $$$$$ I would have a HufHaus
http://www.huf-haus.com/en/home.html
http://www.huf-haus.com/en/home.html