How to Save Money on Your Log Home

It’s no secret that every phase of the log home journey — buying a lot, selecting, and customizing your plan and completing your build — comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Often, one of the biggest sticking points for homeowners is, well, sticking to a budget. Thankfully, for every challenge, there is an opportunity — and that includes the possibility of keeping more cash in your pocket.

Here are three tips for keeping costs down through every part of your building journey:

Location Lowdown. As you search for the perfect place to build your new log cabin or timber home, you’ll undoubtedly notice that different zip codes can come with drastically different price tags. As you visit potential properties and weigh out your options, remember that it’s not just the upfront purchase price but also building costs that can vary drastically from one region to another. For example, there will likely be a higher construction cost to put together your log cabin kit in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado than in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. By considering less sought-after areas, you might just find a spot off the beaten path that benefits from a lower population (more peace!) and lower property, material, and labor prices. In the same vein, keep in mind that post-building expenses, including property taxes, insurance, and everyday living costs, like utilities, will be affected by the area you choose.

Size Smarts. It may seem like a no-brainer, but the obvious is worth noting: the bigger the house, generally the higher the cost. Our smaller plans that ring in under 1,000 square feet, like the Bretton Woods, are designed with an eye towards efficiency, so you’ll get everything you need for everyday living with a lower price tag. As you peruse plans, narrow in on log cabin packages with simple rectangular designs and simple architectural features. Also, keep on the lookout for rooms that can pull double-duty — a kitchen with a dining nook or an office that doubles as a guest bedroom, for example. Once you’ve settled on a plan, taking the time to think through every inch of the house to ensure it is functional for your family will help keep cash in your pocket. (Remember, all our homes are fully customizable — at no added cost!) Lastly, if your hope is for a weekend getaway rather than full-time living, you’ll find five budget-friendly escapes in our Camp Series.

Building Smart. Whatever plan you choose, keep in mind that you don’t have to build your dream home all at once. Expanding is always an option. Your personal dream home journey may be a marathon, not a sprint. Down the road, you can finish out a lower level to achieve more casual living space or add on a wing for extra bedrooms. Some savvy homeowners have even chosen our Cedar Lane plan for the purpose of finishing it in the future. Because the single-level living layout includes two bedrooms on the main floor, they can live comfortably in the home now, with the goal of finishing out the two upstairs bedrooms and bathroom in the future as finances allow.

For more on the money side of building a log cabin or timber home, check out our post on Financing Your Log Home.

Start discussing your ideas for your log home or cabin, and reach out to our team today. We are ready to help you live your best life in a log or hybird/timber home today … and long into the future.

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