Before You Build

1)    Revisit your building site.

It's time to get to work! Stake out your new log home according to your plans. Anticipate any difficulties during construction. Choose where your temporary power, your log package bundles, building materials, your well and septic, etc. should be placed, in order to keep your site workable. A good layout will keep your construction moving smoothly.

2)    Choose your subcontractors and set up your schedule

If you're building your new log home on your own, it will save you time and money, not to mention possible frustration, if you have all of your subcontractors lined up ahead of time, along with a schedule of when their work is to be started and completed.

Plan for a way to keep them informed of delays or advances in schedule. Remember, subs are not just working for you—they have other clients, too. Help them to make time and money saving decisions. Subcontractors greatly appreciate working for a contractor that saves them money!

3)    Make sure all city/county permits are acquired before you start construction.

Permit requirements vary depending on where you live, so make sure you check with your local municipalities to find out what permits are required. There can be delays in getting permits, so it's best to have them all lined up before you begin. If there is a problem with obtaining a permit, you will want to have it taken care of before work actually begins. Note: Scheduling can also be affected by permits.

4)    Put in your temporary power

You and your subcontractors will need power for all those tools, so make sure you have temporary power setup and ready to roll when construction begins. Temporary power may be a generator or a power pole that provides short-term service from your power company.

5)    Prepare your water & sewer lines

If you need to dig a well, this is the time to begin that process.

Get your PERK test done to determine the absorption rate of soil for your septic system leech field.

6)    Build all roads & bridges

You, as well as your subcontractors, will need easy access to the construction site. Don't wait until you start building to take care of this. Make sure this is done up front. Better roads with better access will make work progress much smoother.

Take into consideration any access problems you may have for your log package. Log packages are shipped on a long-haul trailer (some are over 50ft in length). Mountain roads with tight turns and sharp changes in valleys and hills may pose a delivery problem for you and the shipper. If this is your situation, you might consider unloading your log package at a nearby site and hauling it to the work area with smaller trucks & trailers.

7)    Get Started!

It's time to begin construction. You should have your new log home staked out at this point, so now is the time to start digging and pouring your foundation. A good quality foundation provides the base for a good, long-lasting home.

Depth of dig should be at the pour depth of the foundation. Digging too deep and then filling and compacting should not be done if at all possible. Virgin, undisturbed soil has the best compaction for pouring your foundation. If you must compact, be certain to compact at least to 110% of the undisturbed soil compaction. Tools for testing compaction are readily available.

It's best to have your foundation completed, your main floor system built, and your foundation back-filled before you receive your log package.

When you receive your log package, set the bundles where you'll have easy access to them during construction. Place them near door openings. As you progress during construction, you will find that most logs pass through your doors into the home before they are put in place in the log walls.

Enjoy your project! And remember, Communication is key! Make sure you communicate exactly what you want to your subcontractors and anyone else affiliated with the project. If you have any questions or should need technical assistance, Big Horn Mountain Log Homes will be happy to help you! Contact us by email or call 307.684.2445.