Designing / BuildingHome & Garden

Instructions For Building Your Own Log Home Using Linear Logs Or A Log Home Kit

Log cabin kits that include machine-cut logs can be purchased from a number of different log providers. If you want to build your own log cabin, then check out these tips for getting DIY instructions from the experts, log raising events, and some books to guide you through the steps.

Personal Highs Matched With Regional Lows

The first official sign that construction is about to take place on our new log home site: the posting of the Building Permit! But it was a day of highs and lows, thanks to a series of tornadoes that hit in Williamson County the night before.

Williamson County TN Building Permits & Fees: What You Need To Know

We got our Building Permit today. Who knew the cost for a Building Permit in Williamson County TN could be so much?... $9,177! It's mostly due to the county's Privilege Tax. And boy do we feel privileged to live in Franklin, TN!

Now Is NOT A Good Time To Get A Log Home Construction Loan

This past Fall was a very difficult time for us to try & get a log home construction loan to build our new log home. There were several reasons for this -- all spelled out here.

Where We Are Now On This Log Home Roller Coaster Ride…

No, we haven't secured our log home loan yet. But the good news is... time is on our side. Because the mortgage rates have already come down since our previous closing date in October of 2007, and they are projected to drop even more in the coming months.

Getting The Lay Of The Land… Surveying The Property

Of the 5 acres we own, there is only one tiny little spot where the home can actually go. The rest will be hilly trails and a forest of thick trees lining the creeks. So, to ease our mind, and clarify for all involved -- including the bank, the County, and ourselves -- we asked the surveyor to come back out and re-survey it again for us.

Question About Staggered Shake Shingle Siding

A question: 'We are in the beginning stages of building our log home and seriously thinking of using Staggered Shake Shingle Vinyl Siding on the second story. Our reasoning for doing so was the maintenance of the home. Have you heard or have you seen any log homes which have done the same?'

Tips For Exploring Log Home Companies

Joe -- our guest reporter -- shares with us a few more practical tips for buying or building a log home. In this installment, he offers some recommendations to help you decide between one log home company and another.

Why We Decided To Build Our Log Home With Honest Abe Log Homes As The Log Provider

We are very fortunate to have found them all: a log provider, a builder, and a general contractor that we are completely comfortable with. Here's why we chose Honest Abe Log Homes and why we stuck with them through lots of changes, ups & downs.

How We Found The Best General Contractor In Tennessee

Here's why we chose John Roach to be the general contractor to build our new log home in Williamson County Tennessee. Plus, some tips for what to look for in a GC, and some recommendations for general contractors in Middle Tennessee.

Underdecking Update: Another Meeting With Undercover Systems Of Tennessee

I met with reps at Undercover Systems... again. We've been considering their underdecking for awhile now. And I have to say, I really like this company. They're no-pressure, honest & upfront. Here are the details of what it would take -- and what it would cost -- to install underdecking on our new log home...

The Exciting Process Of Digging A Ditch And Putting In A Culvert

If you're building a home on a private piece of property, chances are you'll have to put in a ditch and a culvert. Here's how it went for us... including photos of the culvert, ditch, and driveway.

Which Is Best?… A Basement Garage, A Separate Attached Garage, Or A Detached Garage?

I learned a few things about the differences between attached garages vs detached garages vs basement garages. Here's what I found...

See How We Incorporated The Craftsman / Arts & Crafts Style Into Our Log Home Bungalow

Without a doubt, our log home will be more like a bungalow with some interesting angles, curves & unique hardware, rather than purely straight lines and squares. But it wasn't until we started fine-tuning the details like a big wooden speakeasy door with a dentil shelf -- Arts & Crafts; prairie style windows -- Craftsman; tapered columns and wide steps on the porches -- bungalow that we even realized we were gravitating toward the Craftsman style of home architecture and decor which encompasses all of these things, and more.

Digging A Well: What You Need To Know

Little known facts about wells and water usage. Here's everything we've learned about digging a well, including proposed costs to dig a well in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Unique Features & Design Elements Found In An Arts & Crafts Style Home Or Craftsman Bungalow

Here are some easy ways to spot a Craftsman style home... What to look for and what to include if you wish to build a Craftsman style home or an Arts & Crafts style log home.

Do You Have What It Takes To Build Your Own Log Home?

See why we chose to have a General Contractor oversee the building of our new log home, rather than doing it ourselves. There are pro's and con's to doing the work yourself. But in our case, we feel that we are better off overall in the hands of a General Contractor.

Golden Eagle Log Home Company Estimates The True Cost To Build A Log Home

Golden Eagle Log Homes chose to face the facts and state upfront the 'true' cost to build one of their log homes. This is what appeared in one of their ads in Log Home Living magazine.

Previous Next