Custom build log homes are homes that are designed and constructed based on what the homeowner wants. When custom building a log home, the homeowner works with an architect, residential designer, log home company or home builder who will create custom build log homes plans that are individualized for that log home. The major advantage to the homeowner when custom building a log home is that their home will be designed and built according to their needs, desires and specifications.

Here are three major ways to consider going about custom building a log home:

Create Your Custom Build Log Homes Plans with an Architect - if you want to create your log home from scratch, you may wish to use the expertise of a qualified architect. You'll want to be sure that yours is not the first custom build log home the architect has designed. Ask to see their past designs, check their references and determine if they really do have the education and experience to design your log home.

Not only can the architect design custom build log homes plans, he or she can oversee the construction process to help ensure that your log home is built as intended. This option will likely cost the most, and their fees will usually be a percentage of the project cost or related to the square footage. Ideally, you'll find and investigate several architects, then choose the best one for you when building a log home.

Create Your Custom Build Log Homes Plans with a Log Home Company - many log home companies have in-house architects that can work with you to create custom build log homes designs. Often, draftspersons will be doing most of the designs. If this is the case, verify that a qualified architect or designer is overseeing their work to be sure it meets code and is structurally sound.

Log home companies provide logs that are milled into a desired shape which produces uniform logs without taper. The logs used generally range in length from 10 to 18 feet. A custom build log homes design using manufactured logs can vary considerably in shape and appearance because the logs have different shapes and there are different corner styles. You can obtain kits ranging from just the logs and fasteners to more complete systems that include the roofing materials, doors, windows and even more. You may be pleasantly surprised at the flexibility in designs and variety in log home plans that exist today with log home companies and their log home packages.

Find Existing Log Home Plans You Like and Modify Them - there are several reputable online national plan services that provide ready-to-build log home plans at a price considerably below what an architect needs to charge to create custom build log homes plans from scratch. And they should have qualified staff that can make modifications to their plans so that your plans become the custom build log homes plans that are just what you want.

As you visit plans services online, see what criteria you can enter so you only get the plans that interest you. You should be able to search by square footage, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, one-story or two-story and so on. See what plans are shown. As you find log home plans that interest you, note the plans numbers in case you want to see them again. If you find a log home floor plan you really like, then examine the plans company and plans prices.

Here are questions you should want answers to when you're considering building a log home with their plans:

1. How long has the plans company been in business?
2. Can the plans service company make changes to plans for you?
3. What are your choices in plan formats?
4. How long do your plans take to be completed and to arrive?
5. Can you get lists of materials needed to build?

Whether you are just beginning to organize your ideas on custom build log homes or are well along in the process, investigate your options. A well-designed and well-built log home can provide many decades of comfort and pleasure of ownership. Before designing and custom building a log home, learn as much as you can about the building process, about controlling costs and how to work with the professionals who will be helping make your dream of log home living become a reality.

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