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| Taking a Tour of Model Homes |
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| By Jim Cooper |
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Many log home dreams begin with a trip to a model home. It may be the home of a local sales representative or the display home of a log manufacturer. For many log home enthusiasts, the search for the ideal home includes trips to a number of models. But simply visiting a model home is of little value unless you know what to look for once you're there. Here are some things to look for and some to ignore.
Often, log home shoppers approach model homes as if they were buying that house. Yet most log homes don't even come directly from the manufacturer's plan book, they come from the customer's dreams (modified by their pocketbook).
Judging a model log home by its floorplan, by the size of its closets, by the wallpaper in the bathrooms or the carpet color in the family room serves little purpose unless you plan to have the model's owner design and decorate your house. If you plan to design your own log home and you are looking for a company to provide the package, there are much more important things to consider.
Let's start with the exterior. Begin by considering the log style of the home. If you're interested in a specific style of log, such as a full round or square, look at homes of that style. Even if the home's manufacturer offers several styles, looking at other styles won't give you an accurate idea of the appearance of the style you want.
As you walk around the house, note the trim around windows and doors. Also look at the fascia (trim around the edge of the roof) and soffit (covering under the eaves). Find out if these components were included in the log package. If not, it's not really important whether you like them, since you would choose your own materials anyway. If any of the items come with the package, note whether they were upgrades or standard items. Many log home manufacturers offer several levels of material quality.
If the model has a porch, find out what components were included in the log materials package. Look at the porch roof system. There are typically two types of porch roof included with log home packages. The first is a simple lean-to roof. Exposed rafters are fastened to the main house roof and then covered with plywood or tongue-and-groove sheathing. Felt paper and shingles or metal go on top of the sheathing. Such single-layer porch roofs arc easy to build and materials are less expensive. Porches with flat ceilings have an enclosed attic-like space between the ceiling and roof. These double-layer roofs rake more tune to build and include more material. The differences between the two types of porch roof are important when comparing package prices with other manufacturers.
Porch and deck railings are included with some, but not a11, log home packages. When provided, railing material may he pre-cut but not always. When you look at the railings, be sure to separate materials from workmanship. Don't expect even the best railing material to look good when a poor carpenter is finished with it.
Determine whether the logs are caulked or chinked on the outside and if the caulk or chinking was included with the materials package. This is something you may need to ask the representative about. Many log home enthusiasts have a notion that caulking is the sign of a poorly sealed house. Others choose not to use caulking supplied with their kit, in the belief they will save some money and time and internal seals will be adequate. I've seen very few log homes of any type that couldn't benefit from being thoroughly caulked with a good grade of caulk.
When you first step inside, stop a moment and examine your reaction to the interior. Is your first impression favorable? Try to determine why or why not. If the log interior is stained dark and you find this unappealing, remember you may be looking at finishes that reflect the owner's taste and not the manufacturer's log package.
Two things most log home shoppers notice when they enter a model home are ceilings and interior walls. Study the cathedral ceilings. Are there exposed beams or do you see tongue-and-groove decking without visible beams? Log home companies offer a variety of ceiling types with their homes. When you see exposed beams or wood tongue-and-groove, ask if it's standard or optional.
Interior partition walls are handled in a variety of ways by log home companies also. Some companies don't include framing materials or wall coverings for interior partitions. Ask what comes with the materials package. Even when materials are not included as standard package items, they may be available as options. If you walk into a log home that has drywall on interior partitions, don't assume that, if you purchase that company's package, you must have the same.
As you walk through the home, note the interior trim on doors and windows. Was it supplied with the kit? If the trim has beveled or rounded edges or is otherwise shaped, did it come that way from the manufacturer? Or did the builder shape trim to meet the home owner's desires?
Be sure to note the interior doors. Find out if they were included in the manufacturer's package and whether they were a standard item or upgrade. Not all manufacturers include doors in their log home packages. If the doors were included, ask whether they were pre-hung or supplied with "loose trim" that had to be assembled as part of hanging the door. The difference between the two types of door wilt show up in the construction cost. A pre-hung door can be installed in minutes. One that must be hung and trimmed from scratch will take longer and cost more. Did the door hardware come with the package? A few companies include hardware.
Don't forget the stairs. Companies vary widely in what they include for stair material. Some include raw materials that allow you to make whatever style of stair you want. Others include pre-cut stairs and rails that are assembled on site. Others don't include stairs, letting you build whatever you want from locally purchased materials.
Finally, if the model you are visiting is solid log, ask to see how the manufacturer handles settlement. Many manufacturers include settling jacks and settlement spaces in interior partitions. Be wary of claims that logs don't settle. Even when the logs are thoroughly dry, they generally still compress enough over time to settle some.
That about completes your model log home inspection. Such an inspection gives you an idea of what to expect from the model's manufacturer. And you'll notice we never looked at closet size, carpet color or the wallpaper in the master bath. |
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