Building a log home in middle TN - help!

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Permalink Reply by EZMARY on April 24, 2010 at 12:36pm

I can understand you protective shield for your manufacturer, that you represent. Everyone understands the dealers do make their income from the manufacturer. I am just stating that I have read, and found, items, that would, perhaps, make the consumer think other than you do. Good luck in your endeavors, and lets all hope the housing industry picks up!

Permalink Reply by EZMARY on March 17, 2011 at 2:02pm

A lot of businesses have a good grade so to speak, on the bbb, and are not up to par.  I know a particular builder, that has a good rating and is no longer in business, because he was a bad builder.  Some companies can keep a good rating, because, when litigation in started, the bbb will not let any complaints on their site.  They figure its in the courts hands.  That is why I feel it is best to look into any and all court records, on any company anyone thinks they want to deal with.  Attorney general site are also a good source.  Log Home Reports is a good site.  Check court records, in counties, around the manufacturer.  If any of the manufacturers homes are in your area, check surrounding county records, as well as your county.  Just really check companies out every way you can.  A home is the biggest endeavor a person can do in life, and everyone just wants a good experience!  One other idea, with the way the housing market is today, I would be checking into log home foreclosures, there are a lot of them out there.  You could get a log home cheaper, buying one in foreclosure, then building one now days!!!  I just saw a foreclosure, for a 6100 sq ft home on 27 acres, with a pond, detached garage, the bank is asking 850,000.00, and the area this one is in, is surrounded by homes in the millions. Just call banks, they will tell you what they have.  If I was looking now days, I would go that route, and hold onto my land.  Good luck everyone!!!

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Permalink Reply by EZMARY on March 28, 2012 at 10:01pm

Gee are you still thinking that TLH has that good reputation, better think again!

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Permalink Reply by William Clinton on August 7, 2012 at 1:49pm

I have read a lot of comments by EZMARY here in a lot of these forums and it appears that you have a lot of knowledge about Tennessee Log Homes. Can I ask if you purchased a home from them? If so, can you tell us your story. Apparently it was a horrible experience. If not, why are you so focused on that company?

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Permalink Reply by EZMARY on August 10, 2012 at 11:40pm

I have a lot of knowledge of a lot of  log companies.  I watch what companies have filed bankruptcy. Most of these manufacturers, bankrupt their business, and go under a different name, and start all over again, which is really wrong!  I am not the only one focused on Tennessee, their have been a lot of complaints about that company.  Burton Webb and Tennessee have been in the news a lot, in my area, in the last few months.  I am planning on retiring and want a log home, as a vacation place, and I am just watching companies, all companies.  So you can draw any conclusion you want, I am focused on a lot of companies, there are a lot of bad companies out there, and seems like the good companies get fewer and fewer!  Have a happy day!

Permalink Reply by craig peister on July 28, 2010 at 9:24am

Katie:
I have been in the log home business for about 30 years and in the business of designing all types of homes for over 4o years. I would agree that the best way to go is to NOT buy a complete log package from a log home supplier. The problem is that you don't know if the material included will pass your local building codes . Another problem is that most companies will determine the amount of material needed much differently than a builder or lumber supplier would. For example for an exterior deck the log supplier may figure the decking by the square foot. If you could use every inch of the material that may work but you won't so you will be short material because of the cut off waste. In my early years of selling log home packages the company that I represented did sell the complete package and every time I had to pay out of my pocket for the material that was short. I would suggest you buy just the log package and the material that would not be available locally. You will be able to get builder's pricing and in the same thought save the extra freight costs when the material is brought in on a log truck. We are independent reps and rep for many companies in order for us to offer the best possible price for logs to our clients. We do have crews that will travel the USA to stack the logs but you may save money working with a local general contractor. Many times we send crews to do the log work for a local contractor and then they take the project back over. Keep in mind a few things when shopping for logs. Southern wood will not be as strong as western high country logs. The southern logs are fast growth trees compared to slow growth western trees. We only use standing dead timber in our homes as we feel this is the best wood you can buy. Better than kiln dried or green. Another advantage we have is that we can do logs longer than most companies, especially those that offer kiln dried wood. We can eliminate all visible butt joints in the log walls. This makes your home much stronger and faster to build. Hopes this helps.
Goos luck,
Craig

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Permalink Reply by EZMARY on August 1, 2010 at 8:48am

I have noticed that log home suppliers, always say the logs they sell are best. Log home suppliers sell what is readily available in their area. Like in Tennessee, pine trees are available, In Maine, cedar trees, are available. Any wood is a good wood, in reality!!! The consumers main concern should be if their house is cut correctly, Lord hope their blueprints are correct, and they find a good quality builder, who has build log homes. Those three items will make any log home owner a happy camper!!!

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Permalink Reply by Steven Helms on February 5, 2011 at 8:32am

I strongly agree with Craig when it comes to purchasing log materials only from the log manufacturer and the balance of the materials purchased locally. Remember, if you purchase a weather tight kit from the log manufacturer all materials are delivered at one time. Hopefully, the roof sheathing will still be on site when it is needed a few weeks later.

Craig if you are not listed in http://www.cedar-log-homes.com/log-home-builders-directory.htm you might consider this opportunity. There is no charge for this service.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Mack on August 1, 2010 at 10:28pm

Well there's a lot lf tension in here.
The word KIT means something different to all the loghome manufacturer's. one has no first floor the other has the plumbing. I always felt sorry for the loghome customer who absolutly can not compair appels to appels.
can we get some sort of standard going here?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Giraldi on February 1, 2011 at 3:34pm

Hi Katie,

Visit our website at www.stonemill.com. We are a log home company in Tennessee that would fit your needs. I will be at the log home show in Nashville and will be happy to discuss what you are looking for. Please contact me with any questions that you might have. I hope to hear from you and look forward to seeing if our company would be a fit for your needs. Have a great day!

Chris Giraldi

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Permalink Reply by Chris Woody on February 2, 2011 at 11:16am

Katie,

  we have been in the log home business for a long time and hav built log homes from all ends of the spectrum, the first thing you need to do is decide on what type of log you would like round, square, dlog, etc. this will narrow your search down. most log home companies can provide a crew to erect the logs and get you under roof then your contractor can take it from there. we are located in the lynchburg virginia area but we travel the east coast so we would be glad to help if we can. if you like square logs i would suggest either stonemill or hearthstone we have delt with both of these companys for many years and they are very easy to work with and very helpfull you can contact chris wood on this web site he is the vp for hearthstone and you can contact rob cantrell vp for stonemill at 1-800-438-8274. if we can help you further feel free to contact me at woodywoodchinker@aol.com or by phone at 434-384-0515

 

thank you and good luck,

chris woody

woody wood chinking

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Permalink Reply by Steven Helms on February 5, 2011 at 8:19am

Perhaps http://www.cedar-log-homes.com/log-home-builders-directory.htm will help you locate an experienced builder.  Once you start talking to prospective builders, ask for references, VISIT homes constructed by the builder(s) and talk to the owners.  Good luck!

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