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What insulation is in the log walls? |
The logs have a high level of thermal mass, which translates into very high energy efficiency. |
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Home Construction |
Home Construction
1. Site Preparation
The home construction process begins with site preparation, which is accomplished through the Customer's choice of General Contractor or sub contractor. This includes the installation of the driveway, bringing services such as water and power to the immediate vicinity of the actual site of the building, the layout of the septic field if required, and preparing drainage lines.
2. Foundations
The next step is to excavate for the foundations of the home. These may be simple concrete footings or a foundation wall. Quite often there will be a walk-out or regular basement involved and concrete floors will also be poured at this time.
3. Delivery of Log Package
Once foundations are in place the log home package can arrive on site.
4. Construction of the Shell
The selected contractor / builder commences assembling the logs. The Meadowlark Log Homes method is straightforward but a little different than conventional construction. The customer and his/ her builder have access to the Meadowlark factory for advice.
5. Interior Completion
This will involve a variety of specialized sub-trades. Each individual contractor should be clear about your expectations and use of materials before commencing work. Needless to say, you should have already obtained a firm contract price at this stage. It is easy for this area to go over budget if expensive upgrades are made at the last minute.
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Obtaining Permits |
Obtaining Permits
Permit requirements vary considerably depending on the local planning authorities. They may include septic, utilities, drainage and energy compliance as well as the actual construction permit. Often, engineering approval is also required.
Your construction drawings will meet all normal local requirements and will need to be engineer- stamped in some cases. Contact your local planning authorities to determine the best procedure to get permits approved as smoothly as possible. This may involve a personal appearance by yourself or your builder at a specified time or may simply require submission of plans. Remember the time taken to obtain permits should be factored in to allow a realistic expectation of when you can expect to be living in your new home. |
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Financing |
Financing
Once you have your budget finalized you will know where you stand. The budget and floor plan are submitted to the lender together with relevant financial information. |
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Budget finalization |
Budget Finalization
One of the major causes of cost overrun are changes made to a building actually in process. Your Builder can be a great help in putting the budget together.
If the design is well thought out and incorporated properly into the construction floor plans, this type of problem is minimized.
The budget will consist of:
- Meadowlark Log Home Package
- Site Preparation and Foundation
- Framing Costs and Paint/Stain
- Drywall and Insulation
- Electrical/Plumbing/Heating
- Interior Finishing
- Landscaping
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How do I select a builder? |
You will need a qualified builder and a variety of sub-trades to ensure that construction quality levels are met. It is helpful to have trades experienced in the type of home you are building so that they are not learning on the job at your expense.
Meadowlark can often assist in the selection process by providing you with the names of contractors involved in the program and sub-trades in your area. |
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Landscaping |
Landscaping
This often takes place over an extended period of time as trees, shrubs, flowers and lawn grow in. There are a variety of creative things you can do. It is often worthwhile to make use of a landscaping professional to give you some layout ideas before you start work.
Landscaping can cost as little or as much as you want. Typically the process never ends, but it should be fun and personally rewarding. Enjoy! |
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Purchasing a lot |
Generally, the building lot has an emotional appeal to its owner based on a view or other natural features. The intended use, whether recreational or for a permanent residence, may also have an impact on the choice of lot.
Making the best use of the natural terrain for building is important, both visually and financially. Being able to put the right design in the right place is key to avoiding costly mistakes.
Before you buy your lot, make sure that there are no major obstacles in obtaining permits for septic, power and water, or unduly onerous restrictions on access to the site which may affect your intended building location. |
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Does Meadowlark offer business opportunity to sell and build log homes? |
Meadowlark is interested in expanding our USA market and also international markets, so the easy answer is yes, we do look for quality people to market our products. To see if it may be right for you, please contact us. |
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How often do I need to re- stain the exterior? |
With today's high tech log home finishes, you can go longer between recoatings. Depending on the brand of stain and your location, re- staining is required about every 5 to 10 or more years. |
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What is the best stain to use on my Meadowlark Log Home? |
We recommend several brands of exterior stain and interior finishes.
The brands we carry are detailed here:
1. SIKKENS PRODUCTS:
a. Sikkens SRD Exterior, for exterior logs and decks.
b. Sikkens Log and Siding, for exterior logs.
c. Sikkens UV Interior Water Base.
2. SASHCO PRODUCTS:
a. Transformation Exterior
b. Conceal Chinking
3. LOG PRESERVATIVE
a. Board Defense (borate powder for exterior logs)
4. INSECT REPELLANT
a. Bug Juice (to mix into exterior stain)
A representative will be happy to help you choose the stain and other products that are right for you.
See the related websites for product information:
www.sashco.com
See related Item: http://www.sikkens.com
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Home Design Choice |
Home Design Choice
Many of our Customers are building a custom home for the first time. Often they have a general idea of what they want but not a finished design. Meadowlark has developed a number of plans showing examples of different styles of homes to stimulate the imagination and help conceptualize the vision. Design development is a process and quite natural. You are encouraged to give free expression to your ideas; after all, it is a custom house that you are building. The final design will evolve as all the important individual components are brought together.
We find that most Customers have a certain external style in mind. With our design expertise we can generally meet the specific space and layout needs within the envelope of the look chosen. At our Montana home office, we have representatives who are trained to help you design what you want.
Meadowlark Log Homes will put you in contact with design professionals who will work with you to draw your preliminary floor plans and elevations in a timely manner, and then incorporate these into final construction floor plans.
The final set of floor plans are highly detailed and will enable you to obtain planning approvals and then proceed to construct your home. |
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Is a Meadowlark Log Home a "green" home? |
While we do not claim to be officially labeled a green company yet, we believe our log homes are a sound environmental choice. Strict logging practices are used to protect the forest when our trees are selected, and of coures they are totally a renewable resource, unlike most other forms of housing. |
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What is the Log Homes Council? |
The Log Homes Council is an organization formed in the 1980's to be in the forefront as a voice of our industry. It provides guildelines of quality and trains and certifies its members to grade and structurally stamp the logs. It is made up of members such as Meadowlark Log Homes. We are glad to say that all of the logs in every Meadowlark Log Home, are graded and stamped according to these high standards.
See related Item: http://loghomes.org/
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Can a Meadowlark Log Home be shipped to other countries? |
Absolutely. Meadowlark Log Homes is a member of the Log Homes Council, and is certified to structurally grade stamp each and every log. This is an internationally recognized grading program, so that our log homes can easily be exported and re- assembled in other countries which have open trade policy with the USA. |
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What countries have Meadowlark Log Homes been erected in? |
USA
Canada
Japan
South Africa |
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