Your home regularly faces a number of foes — moisture, sun, pests, to name a few. It may even have to endure extreme weather-related events from time to time, such as earthquakes or tornadoes. Thankfully, log homes have a track record for standing up to the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them. (Father Time is no match either: A log home, built in 1638, is one of the oldest homes in the U.S.) So what makes log homes perform with such durability? It’s a dual combination of the materials and methods used to build them.

With all the planning and prepping of your dream home accomplished, it’s time to move into the building stage of your dream home journey. Here is a timeline of what you can expect:
 

Before you begin building your dream log home, understanding exactly how the vision in your mind will transform into a real-life structure can feel like a bit of a mystery. We’re here to lift the veil from the home-building process. We want you to be prepared for every part of the journey. After all, you’re never just along for the ride when you build with Ward Cedar Log Homes — you’re in the driver’s seat. Whether you’re building a log cabin, a timber home or a hybrid, our goal is for you to feel confident and comfortable from the starting point to the finish line.
 
In this two-part guide, we’re mapping out the entire process, from planning to construction. Keep reading to see what to expect from the beginning of your journey up until delivery day of your materials. Then, stay tuned for “Part 2,” which carries you all the way to move-in day and beyond.
 

Take a moment and imagine your ideal floor plan. What comes to mind? Maybe it’s a spacious great room centered around a soaring fireplace or perhaps it’s a cozy, eat-in kitchen. The details of your vision are clues that can lead you to the perfect home design — whether it’s a plan from our Premier Series, Cedar Valley Series or Camp Series (with your own modifications, of course!) or a completely custom design.

One of the best ways to narrow down a design plan is to start with questions about your lifestyle, lot and budget. When you team up with Ward Cedar to create your dream home, we will begin with an in-depth, personalized conversation that touches on each of these areas. But if you can’t wait to get started, here are five questions that will help you zero in on your ideal design: